ABAPpers: How diverse should you be?
After working with multiple clients & on numerous assignments, the one thing I realized is that an ABAPper is no different than any other regular developer working on any XYZ technology.
Neither do I intend to belittle other technologies nor do I make SAP superior to others, but, I just feel an ABAPper has to be exclusive.
It has never been a mammoth task to learn ABAP; any person who has basic understanding of programming can write ABAP codes with minimal assistance, unless you are one of those few fortunate who get super-complex business specific requirements to work on, which, comes once in a blue moon.
So how should the ABAPper satiate the hunger for more!!
The latest trend is to move into the emerging technologies of SAP or learn newer objects of SAP: workflows, webdynpro, netweaver, & the list goes on.
One has started to forget one of the old methods followed by many ABAPpers & this too was quite satisfying: Learn the Business!!
Traditionally, ABAPpers went deep into the concepts of the requirement to gain an in-depth knowledge of what is required by the customer & why is the development so important.
They chose a particular module of interest (SD, MM, SRM, etc) and excelled in it along with ABAP. This moved them to the so-called Techno-Functional roles where they were capable of understanding the requirements very clearly directly by the user, eliminating the translator (Functional). However a Functional person is definitely important if you may not have learnt all the configurations required for a module to be perfectly in place.
I’ve met both kinds of people; the difference? The ones with loads of experience are the ones who started with ABAP & then moved on slowly to Functional roles & then ultimately to consulting (no doubt they mastered their module of choice). Whereas if I compare ABAP techies who have around the same experience as mine, they advice to move to the new world: Webdynpro & the like.
To be a jack of all may be helpful, but, it is always necessary to master one.
To follow which path is an individual’s choice; SAP seems so vast, the curve of the learning horizon keeps moving ahead as you get nearer to it.
I think I have made my choice of the direction; until, I don’t come across a new one.
Neither do I intend to belittle other technologies nor do I make SAP superior to others, but, I just feel an ABAPper has to be exclusive.
It has never been a mammoth task to learn ABAP; any person who has basic understanding of programming can write ABAP codes with minimal assistance, unless you are one of those few fortunate who get super-complex business specific requirements to work on, which, comes once in a blue moon.
So how should the ABAPper satiate the hunger for more!!
The latest trend is to move into the emerging technologies of SAP or learn newer objects of SAP: workflows, webdynpro, netweaver, & the list goes on.
One has started to forget one of the old methods followed by many ABAPpers & this too was quite satisfying: Learn the Business!!
Traditionally, ABAPpers went deep into the concepts of the requirement to gain an in-depth knowledge of what is required by the customer & why is the development so important.
They chose a particular module of interest (SD, MM, SRM, etc) and excelled in it along with ABAP. This moved them to the so-called Techno-Functional roles where they were capable of understanding the requirements very clearly directly by the user, eliminating the translator (Functional). However a Functional person is definitely important if you may not have learnt all the configurations required for a module to be perfectly in place.
I’ve met both kinds of people; the difference? The ones with loads of experience are the ones who started with ABAP & then moved on slowly to Functional roles & then ultimately to consulting (no doubt they mastered their module of choice). Whereas if I compare ABAP techies who have around the same experience as mine, they advice to move to the new world: Webdynpro & the like.
To be a jack of all may be helpful, but, it is always necessary to master one.
To follow which path is an individual’s choice; SAP seems so vast, the curve of the learning horizon keeps moving ahead as you get nearer to it.
I think I have made my choice of the direction; until, I don’t come across a new one.
I worked across the modules. Initially, mainly logistic, but then into HR and FI/CO. I also moved into roles of more people responsibility - team lead, development manager, and, finally, Head of Applications Development at a multinational. I left that to go freelancing as... a programmer. That was five years ago.
I now specialise in development (and modelling) in BI/BW. But being the only developer in the village for one of my clients, I get to do very interesting work, using the later technologies. I also provide general (SAP) technical consultancy in numerous different areas for other clients.
Of course, over the years, I've also got a pretty good understanding of the business processes! But at no time, having started in a functional role, have I had a desire to go back into that. It is possible to grow within a technical role, and to keep learning. But you have to seize every opportunity to go in the direction you want. And you have to have your "distinctives" - those things that set you apart from the herd!
G. Lakshmipathi
I am strongly willing to enter functional..(am an ABAPer with 5+ years of exp)
I've just heard from one of the senior collegue that there is no much with people of techno functional...
Is that true?
I guess I want it all technical, new technology, and understand the functional process. That may be a lot to ask for. "Jack-of-all" trades, master of none... I hope I master ABAP. Now I'm branching into new technologies while keeping up with the business processes. I'm on a lot of projects at one time. While on a project, I HAVE to understand the business process.
I also am always looking for a chance to use some of the new things that I learn.
So I agree to disagree. I want it all. ABAP in depth. Functional less understanding but understand my project. New technology - ready and at my fingertips for new projects.
See ya!
Michelle