This is the first part of a comprehensive guide series about the Cutover in SAP projects.

This part aims to build a foundational understanding of what the Cutover is and the meaning of related terms.

In this book, I will take you on a journey through time from when the term first arose, discussing important aspects of the Cutover in SAP projects. Although some concepts may be outdated or seem abstract, understanding them helps contextualize the general IT meaning and the evolution of SAP's Cutover approach and concept, highlighting its dynamic nature.

Modern SAP projects typically entail significant changes to live, tightly integrated IT systems within operational business environments. Multiple business units need to continue functioning seamlessly throughout these changes, making Cutover a critical and intricate operation. Unlike 20 years ago, Go-Lives are no longer straightforward transitions.

As an SAP Project Manager with 25 years of experience and over a hundred cutovers under my belt, I am well-qualified to write about this topic.

The flow of this series of books will quickly make it clear that with the transformation to S/4HANA, we need improved methodologies. In the next parts, I will propose enhancements that you can apply to your projects.