The 214-step S/4HANA cutover runbook

Every task by minute · owner · dependency · rollback trigger.

The three cutover mistakes that kill go-live

Skipping mock-load cycle 3, letting data-migration and functional teams sync verbally instead of on the runbook, and forgetting the reverse-cutover script. This template forces all three into the plan.

Track structure

Nine tracks run in parallel: Basis, Data Migration, Interfaces, Security, Functional (FI/CO/MM/SD/PP), Reporting, Cutover Command, Business Ops, Comms. Each row has a start-minute, end-minute, owner and dependency chain.

Dress rehearsals: how many is enough?

Three minimum. Rehearsal 1 catches sequencing, 2 catches timing, 3 catches the human factors. Skip any and go-live becomes a lottery.

Rollback triggers you must define upfront

Any transaction of impact ≥ high with no workaround within 4 hours triggers formal rollback consultation. Written down = defensible in front of the board.