Introduction
In the vast world of data management, SAP Master Data Governance has established itself as a leading platform, providing a unified framework to handle, control, and govern master data. One of the essential elements in SAP MDG is Rule Mining, a feature that has transformed the way businesses manage their data.
It enables companies to expose patterns and relationships in data and real-time decision-making abilities across different data domains—whether material, customer & supplier. This blog will shed light on the concept of Rule Mining for Business Partners in SAP MDG and explain how to set up the same.
What is Rule Mining in SAP MDG?
Rule Mining is a data mining technique used in SAP MDG to discover and manage business rules. It helps identify data patterns and correlations that could help improve the overall business strategy. Turned into actionable rules, these patterns can yield practical, usable results that drive business efficiency.
Picture Source - https://www.sap.com/documents/2019/11/feac7e38-757d-0010-87a3-c30de2ffd8ff.html
Configuring Rule Mining in SAP Master Data Governance (Business Partners)
Below are the Fiori applications that we need to start working with Rule Mining for Business Partners.
| App Name | App ID | Purpose | Business Roles |
| Manage Rule Mining for Business Partners | F4084 | Create and Start Mining Runs to Discover Business Rules from the existing Master Data Records | SAP_BR_BUPA_MASTER_STEWARD |
Process Rules from Rule Mining for Business Partners | F4070 | Review and Manage Rules from Rule-Mining Runs | SAP_BR_BUPA_MASTER_STEWARD |
Step 1: Activation of ICF nodes (TCODE SICF)
- /sap/bc/ui5_ui5/sap/md_qmndrl_s1
- /sap/bc/ui5_ui5/sap/md_qrlmng_s1
Step 2: Activation of ODATA services (TCODE /IWFND/MAINT_SERVICE)
- CMD_QLTY_RULE_MINING_SRV
- CMD_QLTY_MINED_RULE_SRV
Step 3: Adding Authorization (TCODE PFCG)
Create a custom role copying role SAP_BR_BUPA_MASTER_STEWARD and add below authorizations objects.
| Authorization Object | Description |
| MDC_DQEVAL | Data Quality Evaluation Permissions |
| MDQRM_RULE | Master Data Quality: Validation Rule |
| MDQRM_RLUS | Master Data Quality: Validation Rule Usage |
| MDQRM_MNNG | Master Data Quality: Rule Mining |
| MDQRM_MNDR | Master Data Quality: Mined Rule |
| MDQRM_RLIM | Master Data Quality: Validation Rule Import |
| MDQRM_RLEX | Master Data Quality: Validation Rule Export |
Step 4: Adding the Apps in Fiori
Choose the apps from the business catalog SAP_CMD_BC_QLTY_EVAL_BUPA and design your Fiori page accordingly using the apps Manage Launchpad Spaces & Manage Launchpad Pages (Business role: SAP_FLP_ADMIN).
Assignment of Page and Roles in a space
Assignment of Apps in the page
Executing Rule Mining in SAP Master Data Governance (Business Partners)
Example Scenario - As a master data steward you'd like to create a mining run and to find the business rules associated with Customer General Data stored in table KNA1.
Step 1: Use App Manage Rule Mining app to create and execute a Mining Run
Click on Create
Enter Description
Add Tables for Mining Rule - In our case - KNA1
Add filters - If you want to find the business rules for some specific customer account groups
Add Fields - Considering we need to find out how the languages are stored for the countries in Customer Master.
Condition of rule: Check this flag if you want the field to be a condition of a rule. Mined rules are formatted as IF/THEN statements, selecting this flag means that this field will be in the IF part of the rule.
Click on Apply
Click on Start
Once the execution is complete, we can see the number of rules that are found by the ML algorithm for the above condition.
Step 2: Use App Process Rules from Rule Mining app to review the Mining Run and implement the Rules
Below are the rules found by the Mining Run
Absolutely fascinating to see that the system is proposing us the rules which we can approve/reject and link into a validation rule which can be utilized in Central Governance
To implement a Rule, select it and click on Accept
Link the same to a New Validation Rule
Navigate to the Validation Rule by Clicking on the Link
The rule can be added to Change Request Process, Consolidation, Quality Evaluation & Mass Processing.
For this instance, let's add it for change request process and quality evaluation.
Click on Prepare in the Usage Option and approve the rule.
Enable the Usage in Data Quality Evaluation and Check in Change Request
Step 3: Testing the Rule
Change Request Process
Pre-requisite: Validation Rules (Data Quality) should be marked as relevant in the Change Request Step
Rule is successfully implemented in Change Request Process
Data Quality Evaluation
Conclusion
Rule Mining in SAP MDG is a powerful tool for driving efficiency and value in your data management initiatives. It plays a crucial role in identifying patterns and insights that could significantly improve business processes and strategies. With a proper understanding of this function and know-how to set up this system, businesses can fully leverage the potential of their master data for more informed, data-driven decision-making.
Important Links & Blogs
Using MDG Rule Mining to Improve Data Quality - SAP Community
How Machine Learning Helps Identify Data Quality R... - SAP Community
How machine learning helps to identify data quality rules with SAP MDG on SAP S/4HANA
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