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Lesson 4 of 5

Roadmaps

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An SAP Activate roadmap is the methodology written out for a specific product and transition path: phases, deliverables, tasks, the workstream each belongs to, and accelerators (templates, guides and examples) that help you do the task. Roadmaps are how Activate goes from a diagram to something a project team can follow.

Where to find roadmaps

PlaceWhat it is forAccess
SAP Activate Roadmap ViewerBrowse roadmaps, filter by phase and workstream, open acceleratorsThrough SAP for Me, with an S-user
SAP Cloud ALM projectRoadmap tasks for your project, assignable and trackableYour Cloud ALM tenant
SAP Signavio Process NavigatorSAP Best Practices processes, process flows, test scripts and setup contentSAP's process content site

Where Activate content lives.

SAP's own guidance is a useful rule of thumb: use the Roadmap Viewer to explore and learn Activate, and use Cloud ALM once you have a project, because Cloud ALM shows the tasks relevant to your project and lets you assign, track and complete them.

Inside a roadmap

PhaseFor example, Explore
DeliverableA result the phase must produce, such as the test strategy
TaskWork that produces the deliverable, owned by a workstream
AcceleratorA template, guide or sample that speeds up the task
How roadmap content is structured.
The Sign-Off Table · thesignofftable.com/academy/sap-pmo-101

Roadmaps exist for different products and paths, for example implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, moving to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, or converting an on-premise system. Pick the one that matches your contract and transition path; the deliverables differ. Contoso's program uses the roadmap for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition under RISE with SAP. Roadmap names change over time, so search the Roadmap Viewer rather than relying on an old bookmark.

Using a roadmap as a test lead

  1. Filter the roadmap by the Testing workstream to see testing deliverables and tasks in each phase.
  2. Open the accelerators for the test strategy and test planning tasks and compare them with your program's template.
  3. Check deliverables from other workstreams that testing depends on, such as data load cycles and integration build.
  4. Map each testing deliverable to the quality gate where it will be checked.
  1. Pick the right roadmapMatch product and transition path: Private Edition under RISE for Contoso
  2. Filter by TestingList testing deliverables and tasks in each phase
  3. Open the acceleratorsCompare templates with the program's own test strategy
  4. Check dependenciesNote deliverables from Data Management and Integration that tests need
  5. Map to gatesPlace each testing deliverable against the quality gate that checks it
A test lead uses the roadmap in five steps, ending with every testing deliverable tied to the gate where it will be checked.
The Sign-Off Table · thesignofftable.com/academy/sap-pmo-101

Roadmaps and SAP Best Practices content

Roadmaps describe the work; SAP Best Practices describe the processes. The two meet in Explore. Roadmap tasks tell the team to prepare and run Fit-to-Standard workshops; SAP Signavio Process Navigator supplies the solution processes, process flows and test scripts used in those workshops and later in testing. For a test lead, the Best Practices test scripts are often the fastest way to see what a standard process test looks like before writing Contoso's own.

AspectSAP Activate roadmapSAP Best Practices content
DescribesThe work: phases, deliverables, tasks and acceleratorsThe processes: scope items, process flows and test scripts
Where to find itRoadmap Viewer in SAP for Me; tasks in the Cloud ALM projectSAP Signavio Process Navigator
Used most inEvery phase, from Prepare to RunExplore workshops, then test design in Realize
Test lead uses it forTesting deliverables, timing and gatesSeeing what a standard process test looks like
Roadmaps describe the project work and Best Practices describe the business processes; they meet in Explore.
The Sign-Off Table · thesignofftable.com/academy/sap-pmo-101

Treat both as living content. SAP updates roadmaps and Best Practices as products change, and a program that runs for two years will see several updates. Check the roadmap at each phase start for new or changed tasks, and note which version of the content your test strategy relied on.

Roadmaps in Cloud ALM

When a Cloud ALM project is created, the project lead assigns the SAP Activate roadmap that fits the product. Cloud ALM then generates the roadmap tasks in the project. The team can assign them, set due dates within timeboxes, mark them done, and add their own tasks. Changing the roadmap later replaces the roadmap tasks, so choose it deliberately at setup.

What would you do?

A new Contoso test analyst bookmarks a roadmap from an old blog post and starts using its testing tasks. Priya notices the roadmap is for a different product. What should she do?

Key points
  • A roadmap is the Activate methodology for a specific product and path: phases, deliverables, tasks, workstreams and accelerators.
  • Explore roadmaps in the Roadmap Viewer in SAP for Me; work from roadmap tasks in your Cloud ALM project.
  • SAP Signavio Process Navigator holds SAP Best Practices processes and test scripts.
  • Filter by the Testing workstream to find testing deliverables, and adapt accelerators to your program.

Check your understanding · not graded

Lesson check

  1. 1. What does an Activate roadmap contain?

  2. 2. How do you access the SAP Activate Roadmap Viewer?

  3. 3. Where should a project team track roadmap tasks during the project?

  4. 4. What is an accelerator?