What is the primary focus during the Realize phase of S/4HANA implementation?

The primary focus during the Realize phase of an S/4HANA implementation is on the actual system configuration and development. This phase is critical because it involves turning the project plan from the earlier phases into a functioning solution, aligning it with the project requirements and business processes defined during the Prepare and Explore phases.

This stage includes detailed configuration of the system, developing any custom enhancements, integrating with existing systems if necessary, and conducting unit tests to ensure that the configurations work correctly. It is also the phase where data migration strategies are executed, leading to the transition of data from legacy systems to the new S/4HANA environment, ensuring data integrity and readiness for business operations.

Other components like system architecture design and finalizing project budgets typically occur earlier in the project lifecycle, while user training and support are crucial but are usually emphasized more in subsequent phases after the system is developed and ready for user engagement. Thus, the Realize phase is distinctly aimed at the configurations that create the backbone of the system that will be used in production.