SAP Signavio Q&A: Your Questions Answered by the Experts

Recently, we asked you for your SAP Signavio questions so that Johannes Strasser, Michael Sokollek, and Manuel Sänger, authors of SAP Signavio: Business Process Transformation, could answer them. Here’s what they had to say.

Q: Does SAP Signavio support the transformation of legacy systems to SAP S/4HANA, one-to-one process mapping side-by-side so as to get an agreement and keep it for archiving for any reason?

A: SAP Signavio supports all available SAP S/4HANA transformation scenarios. A comparison between legacy systems and processes with SAP S/4HANA processes is supported, but typically not done as during a transition from a legacy system to SAP S/4HANA you want to embrace process re-thinking and change based on the latest technology innovations.

Q: I just recently got my certification with SAP Signavio, but I’ve never implemented it at a customer. I’ve implemented Celonis but I was curious for us novice SAP Signavio folks: Is there a template to get it set up, as in a step-by-step process.? I’m thinking step 1: set up ETL connection, step 2: identify a use case to drive insights, step 3, step 4, etc. This may not exist but was curious if you all have a project plan that you have used to stand up your customers on SAP Signavio?

A: While there is no dedicated project plan (there are too many parameters which influence a project plan) you might find the product documentation useful:

If you don’t have the opportunity to work with a customer, I suggest that you get in touch with our partner management to discuss how we can support your SAP Signavio journey.

Q: Is SAP Signavio only used for SAP S/4HANA transformations? What's the use of it after go-live?

A: Using SAP Signavio to support a process-driven transformation is a great idea. If time allows, we recommend using SAP Signavio even prior to the transformation to drive the decision process of the various available transformation options. After a successful transformation, SAP Signavio (the application itself, but even more importantly the content that has been created as well as the organization that have been set up) ideally becomes the ambassador of a continuous business process transformation.

Q: If the company is already on SAP S/4HANA, but then the company needs to manage upgrades, can SAP Signavio or LeanIX help with this? If so, can you please share some examples/insights?

A: SAP Signavio (BPM, BPTM), LeanIX (EA) and SAP Cloud ALM/SAP Solution Manager are the foundation for an efficient target operating model. We simply assume that upgrading is a major technical event where you want to introduce process changes. In any case, you can use SAP Signavio Process Collaboration Hub to inform users about changes, via revised process models or the linkage of Enable Now tutorials. For any request from the business, you can use SAP Signavio Process Insights and SAP Signavio Process Intelligence to understand the current process performance assessing the value of any change. Both solutions also support the IT team to initiate discussions with the business, where process improvements add the most value to the organization.

Q: Does SAP Signavio follow the SAP Activate methodology or something else?

A: SAP Signavio is a suite consisting of capabilities to analyze, design and continuously improve business processes. Manuel and Michael have created in-depth mapping of the solution capabilities, along the SAP Activate phases for new implementation and system conversion scenarios. You can review the mapping here. We recommend nevertheless that you install the SAP Activate Accelerator in your SAP Signavio workspace to be able to consume tutorials alongside the methodology.

Q: With your experience in SAP S/4HANA transformations, can you give any examples for how SAP Signavio was useful?

A: There are many customer examples. One of the key differentiators of SAP Signavio is the ability to analyze existing SAP ERP processes using SAP Signavio Process Insights. This allows customers to find immediate value potential that can be realized prior to the transformation project (which typically runs one to two years). The analysis also provides a solid basis for process prioritization, even through a brownfield approach that should be reconsidered.

Q: Why is SAP Signavio considered a transformation tool only? Should we not use this tool post-transformation, once the process has been finalized?

A: Absolutely. SAP Signavio Process Management should be introduced as early as possible—ideally before the transformation project starts. At that point, the project plan does not allow you to analyze processes any longer, making the move to SAP S/4HANA an IT-transformation that doesn’t add value to the organization.

Q: I am migrating from SAP ECC 6 to SAP S/4HANA (greenfield). What are the best first steps for this execution?

A: Decide if this is a 100% greenfield approach in regard to processes, or whether you will analyze the current process execution in SAP ECC as the basis for the configuration of the new system (e.g. document types), identifying master data issues. In particular, during a greenfield migration, it is a great opportunity to establish business process management in your organization. Review our business process-related content via SAP Signavio Process Explorer and start to define your organizational set up.

Q: How would you sell SAP Signavio as a solution to those with specific security needs but also need a cloud-based solution, like a government?

A: We typically propose to set up a Process Transformation Office with experts for classic BPM topics, value management, and technical insights generation. The Process Transformation Office should be set up with C-level attention. The team can be a mix of physical dedicated employees and hybrid employees also working in their respective organization. We have explained details about this in our book in chapter 11, section 1.

Q: How do companies best incorporate SAP Signavio into their IT organization? Via a new team? How hard is it to find employees with SAP Signavio skills in the current job market?

A: Chapter 11, section 11 of our book describes how to set up a process organization and the roles required. Regarding your question about skills: In addition to our publication, SAP offers a wide range of training courses, learning journeys, and certifications that enable both partners and customers.

Q: Where in SAP Signavio can I create a process taxonomy that gives a view of all of my company’s processes?

A: Customer-specific modeling guidelines can be setup in SAP Signavio Process Manager. All processes are accessible via Collaboration Hub.

Q: Can you share a use case where SAP Signavio was used in the SAP S/4HANA journey? How was it used and how did it benefit the customer?

A: The key benefits we typically see are:

Realization of measurable value by focusing on areas with the highest value potential during your ERP transformation
Acceleration of the project timeline by executing project activities more efficiently and effectively
Mitigating project risk by making sure that change is safeguarded and manageable.

Customer references for SAP S/4HANA context are available on this website; for more detailed descriptions of selected customer use cases, check out chapter 12, section 7 in our book.

Q: Using SAP Signavio, is there any way that we can understand the efficiency of the organizational structure setup and master data maintenance/governance?

A: SAP Signavio Process Insights allows you, for example, to understand the master data usage but also master data related process issues. The comparison of various organizational units in SAP Signavio Process Intelligence (leveraging the plug and gain approach) allows you to compare the performance of individual organizational units, leveraging the best-run process performance indicator.

Q: Is the SAP Signavio portfolio included in RISE with SAP?

A: No—with a small exception. A small subset of SAP Signavio has been part of RISE with SAP in the past. Please check with your SAP account executive whether you are eligible.

Q: Is SAP Signavio SaaS only, or can it be on the private cloud like SAP S/4HANA?

A: SAP Signavio itself is a SaaS solution. Nevertheless, the Process Mining solution capabilities can be leveraged to analyze private cloud or even on-premise SAP S/4HANA installations.

Q: Does the output of SAP Signavio process mapping import into SAP Cloud ALM for implementations?

A: The import of process models from SAP Signavio into SAP Cloud ALM is currently only possible via a custom consulting solution. However, there will be a productized solution available with the next SAP Signavio Q4 release. See our roadmap here.