How to Assess SAP Customisation Risk Using SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring Before S/4HANA Migration
Posted on February 13, 2026 by Laeeq Siddique
For most companies, the biggest gamble in an S/4HANA migration isn’t infrastructure, licensing or even data.
It’s custom code.
Over the years, not infrequently, decades—SAP systems have thousands of custom objects that were developed to “solve” local problems. What used to bring flexibility now means complexity, fragility and risk. But as more and more of the world’s organisations roll out S/4HANA, even now still there is a common place reaction, although moreover it’s not really about a measured perspective on how insecure their bespoke landscape actually is.
In fact, during most migration projects, the single most expensive unknown isn’t all that hardware or those licenses you need to acquire – it’s custom code, which is why SAP WRICEF risk scoring is so important in establishing your level of customisation pre-migration. Here is exactly where the most important part of SAP WRICEF risk scoring comes into focus.
SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring
Consequently, in practice, this means our SAP WRICEF risk scoring will provide a structured, evidence-based method for evaluating customisation risk before migration, thereby enabling CIOs and SAP transformation leaders to make sound decisions on remediation, timelines and cost.
The Silent S/4HANA Killer: SAP Customisation Risk
For the most part, custom code stays hidden from executives — until it sinks their initiative.
Unchecked customisation leads to:
- Extended migration timelines
- Exploding remediation costs
- Failed testing cycles
- Post-go-live instability
- Limited adoption of S/4HANA innovations
There is one common cause behind most S/4HANA programmes that have failed or been delayed:
Customisation was underestimated or even found too late.
SAP WRICEF Risk Rating brings the risk out in the open, before it is costly.
What is SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring?
SAP WRICEF Risk Calculation: The SAP WRICEF risk scoring is a systematic approach to assessing the complexity, business importance and impact of migration of the custom objects in an SAP system.
WRICEF stands for:
- W – Workflows
- R – Reports
- I – Interfaces
- C – Conversions
- E – Enhancements
- F – Forms
The following is a list of indicia in an object that is subject to assessment according to WRICEF:
- Usage frequency
- Technical complexity
- S/4HANA compatibility
- Business dependency
- Replacement feasibility
The outcome is a measured customisation risk profile, instead of a mere technical list.
Why Execs Need to Give a Damn about WRICEF Risk Scoring
From a leadership point of view, the SAP WRICEF risk score affects things:
- Migration cost accuracy
- Timeline reliability
- Business disruption risk
- Transformation scope control
Leaders, without using WRICEF risk scoring, are merely taking a guess on making an S/4HANA program a go.
With it, they gain:
- Clear visibility into high-risk customisations
- Data-driven remediation priorities
- Realistic sequencing and phasing options
In other words, WRICEF risk scoring transforms tailor from the huge unknown into a controlled magnitude.
SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring And Custom Code Inventory
Most mistakenly equate the counting of custom objects with the assessment of risk.
| Custom Code Inventory | SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring |
| Lists objects | Evaluates impact |
| Counts volume | Scores risk |
| Technical focus | Business + technical |
| Static snapshot | Decision-oriented |
It doesn’t help to know you have 12,000 custom objects. It is well to realise that 18% constitute a high migration risk.
Fundamental Risk Elements of SAP WRICEF Risk Score
A fully developed SAP WRICEF risk scoring model would consider several factors for each object.
Business Criticality Risk
Assesses:
- Does the thing relate to sales, some part of compliance or core operations?
- Is it end-to-end across business processes?
- There is no real standard alternative in S/4HANA.
Migration and testing risk increase with the level of business criticality.
Technical Complexity Risk
Evaluates:
- Code quality and age
- Use of obsolete SAP technologies
- Dependency on modified standard objects
More complicated objects are more difficult and expensive to remediate.
S/4HANA Compatibility Risk
Focuses on:
- Reference to an obsolete transaction or table
- Simplification Item impact
- HANA database compatibility
What’s not S/4HANA ready is something that requires mandatory remediation.
Usage and Redundancy Risk
Measures:
- Actual usage frequency
- Duplicate or overlapping functionality
- Items not currently used by the business
Low-usage items are often low-hanging fruit for reduction.
Integration and Dependency Risk
Assesses:
- Downstream and upstream dependencies
- Interface criticality
- Third-party system impact
A heavy dependence also increases the odds of regressing and failing.
Where SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring Fits into S/4HANA Planning
WRICEF risk scoring should occur before key decisions are made.
Best timing:
- Before deciding on the migration approach (Greenfield vs Brownfield)
- Before engaging system integrators
- Before committing budgets and timelines
It directly informs:
- Migration strategy selection
- Remediation effort estimation
- Testing scope and sequencing
Typical Risk Levels at WRICEF in SAP
Low Risk:
- Minimal business impact
- S/4HANA-compatible
- Candidates for remediation or sunsetting
Medium Risk:
- Moderate complexity
- Some dependencies
- Requires careful redesign or adaptation
High Risk:
- Business-critical
- Technically complex
- No standard replacement
WRICEF objects at high-risk often determine the critical path of the migration project.
How to Execute SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring: Step-by-Step Process & Guidelines
Step 1: Create a Full WRICEF Catalogue
- Document all W/RICEF across landscapes.
Step 2: Define Scoring Criteria
- Secondly, base scoring weights on business priorities as well as technical considerations.
Step 3: Scoring of Every WRICEF Component
- Apply consistent scoring across business impact, technical complexity, compatibility, and usage.
Step 4: Get business stakeholders to agree on data categories
- Ensure a single source of truth (“golden copy”) for decision-making.
Step 5: Develop a Risk-Based Remediation Roadmap
- Group actions into: Retire, Replace with standard, Redesign, Retain
- Invest resources where it matters most.
SAP WRICEF Risk Scoring Benefits for Business
Businesses that utilise SAP WRICEF risk scoring methodology early typically realise:
- 20–40% reduction in remediation effort
- More accurate S/4HANA timelines
- Lower post-go-live defect rates
- Stronger executive confidence in delivery
- Avoid last-minute surprises
Frequently Occurring Mistakes in the Absence of WRICEF Risk Scoring
Failing to grade WRICEF risk can leave:
- Late discovery of blocking custom objects
- Inflated testing cycles
- Emergency scope changes
- Cost overruns and stakeholder fatigue
These are planning failures, not technical failures.
WRICEF and Clean Core Strategy with Risk Scoring
SAP WRICEF risk assessment is critical for achieving a clean core:
- Remove obsolete customisations
- Shift extensions to SAP BTP
- Reduce long-term technical debt
This ties migration directly to the future-state architecture, not just system transformation.
Final Thoughts
Customisation risk is something that needs to be measured, not taken for granted.
The level of success for your S/4HANA migration hinges on how connected you are with your custom SAP landscape.
Executives can leverage SAP WRICEF risk scoring to:
- Control scope
- Reduce risk
- Protect timelines
- Maximise S/4HANA value
If your company is considering an upgrade to S/4HANA, SAP WRICEF risk scoring will help you profile risks in custom objects during budgeting and roadmap creation.
Begin with the facts, not assumptions and use risk scoring to drive your evolution.