SAP Certification my tryst with it
I just realised that there is a forum on SAP Certification (guess am still in Ice Age..) where there is so much of information sharing, inputs, comments etc. I sure did miss all of this during my preparation. I recently received a mail from someone who got my contact through SCN asking me a lot of questions on SAP Certification. I would have done much justice to him had I just pointed him to this forum, but then again its hindsight intelligence.
I read through the blog of Ravi Sankar Venna ‘How to Approach and Pass a SAP Certification’ and must admit I have followed almost none of the methods which he has professed based on his vast experience. Reading through the blog made me realise just how much effort he has put into achieving what he has, its little wonder that he has 6 and am sure counting… I admire his willingness to challenge himself through these examinations and the quantum of effort he has put in. I must admit am a little jittery now as I realised people put so much hard work and effort into it.
Meanwhile if anyone wishes to read through an approach which was at almost the opposite end of dedicated effort, industrious planning, disciplined execution and possibly all the phrases one would associate with people taking up examinations / certifications, then do drop by my blog written just after my certification in April of 2012.
Hi Vivek,
Thanks for sharing your experience.
There is no hard and fast rule everybody must follow the same approach in attending the certification. It all depends on their personal circumstances and geographical location etc. There are some exams I never even opened the book or material, but directly went to the exam and passed. But, on a forum I cannot suggest the same to everybody. It all depends on individual to individual, how skilful and knowledgeable they are. Some people required to read 5 times, however, some gifted people can grasp everything in one read. In my above mentioned blog, I would try to give most of the important points to be noted down by the prospective participants to the certification examination.
I have seen number of consultants failed simple 80 questions certification exam, because of over confidence, lack of preparation and unwillingness to accept. Certification is totally different ball game, if people go to exam without preparation, 90% of the people tend to fail, whatever experience they are having. Therefore, my blog emphasized on a systematic preparation for the examination.
Best Regards,
Ravi
Hi Ravi,
Completely agree with your views. But I must admit that you have put in an amazing amount of effort to achieve what you have. It is that effort n commitment which I admire. Keep the flame burning and am sure that would inspire a lot of people around you.
Cheers & Good luck.
Vivek
Thank you Vivek for your wonderful and motivating words.
I may also be selfish to learn myself while passing on the knowledge to the community members. I would be more than glad if somebody is benefited by my suggestions.
Thanks once again for your cheerful words.
Kind Regards,
Ravi
Ravi Sankar Venna
hi ravi
i m new in SAP.
nice to read ur blogs n comments.
i got many things from these blogs etc.
i hope u also help me.
i m IT professional i did PMP and now i m Head (PMO).
i m moving forward towards SAP PS.
what u suggest?
can u plz elaborate pros n cons?
u are expereinced in SAP.
i believe, ur advice will help me.
thnx
Hi Muhammad,
You may have two routes.
Either go as project management side or consulting side. Usually people tend to move from consulting side to project management side, but not the vice-versa. You will see less people who tend to move from project management side to consulting, unless the situation demands. You may have to decide which route would much suits, as you might be better judge of your skills and competencies.
PS is a very peculiar module. You may not see number of jobs, unlike FICO, as every project more or less needs a FICO consultant. However, PS is also tightly integrated with Asset Accounting, it is advised a FI consultant should have in depth knowledge of PS. Therefore, I would suggest you learn PS, Asset Accounting (AA) and basics of FI and CO.
Some of the people would prefer to spend their life time as consultants, though they are very competent persons, still they would like to technical side of SAP, rather than going to project management. At the end of the day, it is your personal interest, which route you would like to go.
Best Regards,
Ravi
Ravi Sankar Venna
PS is a very peculiar module
- Not sure what is the basis for this assessment.
it is advised a FI consultant should have in depth knowledge of PS
- May I know why? First time am hearing this
Hi Vivek,
Peculiar in terms of opportunities and its integration with Finance.
Every FI must have AA Skill set, every consultant who is having AA skill set must be expected have to have reasonable knowledge in PS, as both are very tightly integrated.
Hi Ravi,
I believe there is nothing peculiar in terms of integration of PS with Finance nor with the opportunities in PS. Maybe the quantum of opportunities are fewer, but that wouldn't classify it to be peculiar. Anyway its just my personal views.
Yes an FI person having AA skill is good, but to have an in-depth knowledge of PS as stated initially would be something like 'since driving a car involves inter-action with steering, accelerator, brake etc. the person driving needs to have an in-depth understanding of the entire car'.
Anyway in short I do get the point you put across, but just that if some one takes statement literally, they would be overwhelmed as the world of Finance itself has enough to keep a person invested for an entire lifetime & if Projects also come into picture would need a super human effort .
Dear Vivek,
Thanks for your wonderful examples.
The driver will find how useful they are when he is in real danger 😉
SAP is not a rocket since. There is nothing like human effort is required. It is the individual perception and calibre to extend their skills. I do not consider a person as a Finance Consultant, if he does not have idea with the other modules. It may be OK with other consultants, but finance consultants, expected to know the in and out process flow with other modules.
Hi Ravi,
Knowing a process and mastery are 2 different things, which am sure you would agree.
Not just for finance consultants, but in general it would help all consultants if they have a good cross functional understanding. However broad basing & going in-depth calls for an art called 'balancing'. To cite an example, if one reads through SAP help, it has hyper links to different related areas, so if someone clicks through them they would be soon branching into just about every other module. The branching around might make them aware of things, but would be miles away from getting in-depth understanding in all of it.
My experiences so far have made me realise that it is important to have in-depth knowledge in one and a relatively good understanding of the other. At the same time have a network of people who specialize in other areas, so one can tap into their expertise on specific subject areas when required.
Maybe need to implement HANA in my brain to harness the power of in-memory computing, then I can gain in-depth expertise in all the fields 🙂
It is good to know that HANA is evening helping human brains 😉