Workflow Developers and Many Hats

[keohanster]

If you haven't already done so, you should check out Jim Spath's video about the many hats of an SAP Mentor - just to set the tone 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwXcfRyotg4

Are you back?  OK, well, I'd like you to check out another group that wears many hats - if you've been following my recent posts, you can probably already guess I am talking about SAP Workflow Developers.  

I've captured a sneak preview of some of the responses from our International User Groups SAP Business Workflow Survey, and would like to share this info with you.

But first, let me share my own perspective on the many hats of an SAP Workflow Developer... First off, of course, we need to understand the many ins and outs of SAP workflow.  But that's not enough.  We need to be able, if not ABAP_Freak-like debuggers and even (gasp) coders.  Furthermore, we need to be able to run the typical business transactions - create invoices, perform personnel actions, create shopping carts, etc.  If you specialize in one functional area of SAP, you know that the challenges to mastering that area are legion.  Imagine trying to become conversant in all the functional areas that your company has implemented!  Your workflow developer may not be a 'master' at SRM - but bet your boots they have to learn to be a super-user in order to be effective. Workflow developers also get their hands in the configuration (release strategies, anyone?) as well as spending quality time engaged with the Basis or NetWeaver team - since we are interested in things like RFC destinations, and outgoing notifications.  ALE? Check.  We also need to know if critical master data is replicated across systems.  Archiving? Check.  Security?  Check.  So, again, while we are not masters of all these domains, we certainly have to have a working knowledge, and better yet, a warm collegial relationship with the real experts in all these areas.

But enough about what I think.  Here's what some of the kind souls who have already filled out the survey think:

What's really interesting to me is what was indicated in the 'Other' response...

Business Analyst

WF Admin & Developer

ABAP Developer

Security Analyst

Workflow Admin & Dev

Director IT / Project Manager

General SAP Support and User Admin Manager

Supply Chain and workflow developer Solution Architect

I have many hats, and change them often

SAP Technical Architect Manager (HR, Organisation)

Enterprise Technical Architect

Solution Architect

Workflow Liaison / Technical Area Expert

System administrator

NetWeaver Technician

These answers pretty much support what I have been thinking all along.  There is a whole lot of stuff we need to cram into our heads to be effective.  And I know that any good SAP professional worth their salt can say the same thing.  For example, what would a Security Administrator be if they didn't understand the transactions? 

What do you think?  Are there even more hats that we wear?  Let me know here.
Some of the results of this survey will be presented during the Friday Morning Report 24 Hour Marathon on April 9.  We are working to raise money for Doctors Without Borders.  I will be honored to have as my co-host Mr. Jon Reed, of Jonerp.com.  Oh wait, that's two more hats!  Volunteer Fundraiser and... oh heck,  that's enough for now.