In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and dynamic market landscapes, the traditional approach to business education seems to be at a crossroads. The current teaching environment, often compartmentalized into distinct modules and faculties, may be inadvertently limiting the potential of aspiring professionals in the field of Business Process Management (BPM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The conventional wisdom of specialized education in areas like procurement, supply chain, or marketing, while undoubtedly valuable, might fall short in preparing students for the complex, interconnected challenges that modern businesses face.

The modular structure, a longstanding pillar of educational frameworks, has undeniably served a purpose. It allows for a deep dive into specific domains, fostering expertise and specialization. However, in the context of ERP and BPM, systems designed to integrate and optimize diverse business processes, the emphasis on modular learning may inadvertently create silos that hinder a comprehensive understanding of real business dynamics. As the business landscape evolves, so too must our approach to education. In this blog post, we delve into the necessity of rethinking the modular structure prevalent in ERP and BPM curriculum. We explore why a more holistic approach, one that embraces the synergy between various facets of business and informatics, is not just beneficial but crucial for producing professionals capable of driving meaningful transformation in today’s competitive business environment.

The Rise of Business Transformation: A Global Imperative

In the realm of global commerce, business transformation has become a necessity for success. Global institutions like the World Economic Forum recognizes the “Digital Transformation of Business” as a pivotal theme in the Science and Technology domain, emphasizing a paradigm shift in how businesses operate. Technological innovation, accelerated for example by AI, Quantum Computing, and IoT, is reshaping industries and compelling businesses to integrate these advancements strategically. The evolving landscape of customer expectations further highlights the need for a holistic organizational approach, necessitating a broad understanding of business functions. Considering these dynamics, it is evident that a rigid, modular approach to education falls short. The next frontier in enterprise education lies in preparing professionals with a comprehensive, transformational mindset.

SAP’s Strategic Leap: Business Transformation as a Core Capability

In the pursuit of staying ahead in the landscape of business transformation, industry leader SAP has emerged as a frontrunner, emphasizing the shift from a myopic focus on process execution to recognizing business transformation as a corresponding core organizational capability. The recent high-profile acquisitions by SAP, such as Signavio and LeanIX, underscore a strategic pivot towards holistic business transformation. The integration of Signavio, a leading process modeling and mining (BPM) company, and LeanIX, a platform for Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM), signifies SAP’s commitment to providing businesses with tools that extend beyond mere modular process execution. These substantial investments pouring into the business transformation domain highlight its critical importance. Notably, SAP’s moves reflect a broader industry trend where technology giants recognize that true business success hinges not just on the efficient execution of processes but on the ability to navigate and lead transformative change.

This shift in focus implies that SAP, traditionally known for its prowess in ERP solutions, is evolving to address the multifaceted needs of modern businesses. By incorporating tools that facilitate comprehensive process understanding (Signavio) and holistic enterprise architecture management (LeanIX), SAP is empowering organizations to not only streamline operations but to strategically transform in response to evolving market demands. Explore how SAP is harnessing the transformative capabilities of SAP Signavio and LeanIX in one of our latest blog post: Seamless Synergy: Forging SAP’s Business Transformation capabilities with SAP Signavio and LeanIX.

The financial backing and strategic initiatives within the business transformation domain indicate a growing acknowledgment that businesses must not only be efficient in their operations but also agile and adaptive in the face of constant change. However, it’s crucial to note that the academic community is not obligated to blindly follow industry trends. From a science and research perspective, neutrality remains paramount. Yet, this doesn’t discount the importance of considering industry shifts when transforming future curricula. Balancing scientific rigor with practical relevance ensures that education equips professionals with skills aligned with real-world demands.

Beyond Modules: Crafting a Curriculum for Holistic Business Transformation and Business Process Management in ERP Education

In the intricate landscape of ERP education, the integration within the BPM lifecycle often brings advantages, but presents a challenge. This complexity arises from the varied teaching methods, tools, target groups, industries, and strategies associated with different phases of the BPM lifecycle. Moreover, the ongoing digitization of ERP doctrine is ushering in new business models, demanding a disruptive reorientation. As we delve into the crafting, it is important to advocate for an integrative reorientation grounded in existing enterprise architectures.

The constant demand for sustainable transformation in contemporary companies emphasizes the significance of IT-supported ERP systems. However, the inherent complexity of ERP implementation poses a significant challenge, where successful management becomes a pivotal success factor. Information models, a proven approach to manage complexity in information systems, become paramount in this context. This unfolds a tailored approach, centered on the process view, to conceptually present ERP systems. Unlike previous methods, a successful curriculum should go beyond viewing business processes merely as structural outlines, explicitly addressing the transformation along the BPM lifecycle.

To design a curriculum that embraces holistic business transformation in ERP and BPM education, essential topics must be thoroughly examined. Concepts such as complexity management in information systems, holistic and sustainable BPM, Enterprise Architecture (EA) and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) are crucial. It is important to further teach the conceptualization and implementation of a solution, using a practical use case (for example from SAP University Alliances (UA) offerings like the model company Global Bike). The curriculum should culminate in an evaluation of results – from an EA assessment, a process simulation, a process mining exercise etc. – providing valuable insights and a forward-looking perspective. As we delve into these considerations, we lay the groundwork for a curriculum that seamlessly integrates theory with practical application.

More insights are available in a paper presented at the SAP Academic Community Conference 2023 themed “Preparing the Ecosystem for Next-Generation Projects.” Co-hosted by SAP and the academic board, the community is offering a platform to meet and discover new ERP and SAP topics, learn in a safe and open environment, and exchange with SAP management and experts of the academic world. If you wish to delve into the academic discourse surrounding transformative ERP education, the latest conference proceedings are available in German – With our paper “Verbesserung der ERP-Lehre im Kontext des BPM-Lebenszyklus” starting on page 174. This collaboration with the academic community underscores our commitment to advancing innovative approaches in education for the next generation of professionals.

Bringing Theory to Life: Innovative Approaches in ERP Education for Holistic Business Transformation

In this segment, we jump into the intersection of theory and practice, exploring innovative approaches within ERP, BPM and EA education. Beyond the confines of traditional learning, we unveil how these approaches breathe life into theoretical concepts, empowering students to navigate the complex landscape of holistic business transformation.

Enterprise Online Guide (EOG) by Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Scheruhn (Harz University of Applied Sciences)

In the context of enhancing modular ERP curriculum through comprehensive business transformation education, the EOG emerges as a valuable concept. Whether guiding students through the initial digital steps with SAP solutions or aiding seasoned users in structuring their learning or teaching materials, the EOG plays a pivotal role. Proficient in multiple end-to-end processes such as Order to Cash, Purchase to Pay, and Hire to Retire, the EOG leverages existing SAP S/4HANA case studies from SAP UA, utilizing the SAP Signavio Process Transformation Suite, Academic Edition in both German and English.

The EOG stands as a versatile resource, usable independently or in conjunction with SAP solutions like SAP S/4HANA. It not only highlights the distinctions between SAP S/4HANA and SAP ERP up to Fiori level but also facilitates a dynamic exchange between instructors and learners in a digital teaching environment, akin to an inverted classroom approach. Built around the model company Global Bike of SAP UA, the EOG’s clear two-dimensional and process-oriented structure allows easy adaptation to other companies or processes. The inclusion of the “Digital Business Model Canvas” ensures a seamless entry into digitalization at Global Bike.

SAP Signavio entry page of the EOG (DE) with its different maps and zoom factors

Each EOG case study begins with a multi-level Sustainability Balanced Scorecard, emphasizing sustainability throughout the learning process. Offering eight distinct views (maps) covering Sustainability, Intelligence, and Ecosystem, alongside four zoom factors, the EOG operates as a Google Maps for Enterprises, simplifying navigation and comprehension. Drawing parallels with Google Maps as a successful Enterprise Architecture Framework (EAF) for the “Earth,” the EOG aligns with this concept. It provides different navigation routes, like EAF’s horizontal views, and reduces complexity through models and vertical levels of aggregation. The familiar [+] and [-] zoom factors in Google Maps find their counterpart in the EOG, offering a user-friendly interaction with the two-dimensional framework.

Overview of the Enterprise Online Guide content in SAP Signavio (and other tools)

The EOG has facilitated over 990 models and 30,000+ accesses the last 10 years. It supports SAP UA case studies in Material Management, Sales and Distribution, Production Planning, Finance, Controlling, Human Capital Management, and ABAP (SAP’s proprietary programming language). The EOG is compatible with various systems, including SAP Signavio, SAP ERP, SAP S/4HANA, SAP HANA, SAP Solution Manager 7.2, Cloud Application Lifecycle Management (CALM), and SAP Signavio Process Explorer. Additionally, it adheres to standards such as SAP Enterprise Architecture Framework, SAP Best Practice (SAP Solution Manager 7.2), OMG, ArchiMate, and incorporates elements of SCOR and APQC. The EOG is adaptable to different model companies, with the Global Bike Group as a primary example.

The vision behind the EOG is to make learning and teaching SAP S/4HANA as enjoyable as using “Street view” in Google Maps. Inspired by this idea, the EOG adopts a framework like other existing EAFs like The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). While the names of maps and zoom factors differ, they follow a consistent two-dimensional structure, enhancing interaction and engagement. In essence, the EOG is designed to unravel the intricacies of business complexity, acting as a virtual guide through the company, suggesting routes, and providing a sense of virtual position within the enterprise – A navigational tool akin to Google Maps, but tailored for the corporate landscape to equip users like students for the future.

Process Engineering & Mining by Christina Lehmann and Milan Schulze (Fresenius University of Applied Sciences)

Another compelling teaching example of holistic business transformation unfolds in “Process Engineering & Mining” at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences. In this program, students are immersed in a dynamic learning environment that goes beyond traditional silos. The curriculum intricately weaves together concepts from business administration, BPM, business informatics, process mining, and ERP providing a unique opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Beyond imparting knowledge on business transformation, the program itself embodies a unique structural design that mirrors the typical cycle of a transformation project, providing students with a hands-on understanding of the iterative nature and practical intricacies inherent in the process:

Program structure: Process Engineering & Mining at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences

Program details: In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, staying competitive and expanding globally demand a strategic overhaul of traditional business models. Embracing technological advancements is essential, and this shift necessitates a dual focus: Cultivating a workforce adaptable to continuous change (1) and orchestrating a comprehensive digitalization strategy through the transformation of business processes (2, 7). In the lecture, “Process Engineering & Mining,” we delve into the critical aspects of this transformation journey. The program emphasizes the significance of formulating precise technical requirements through business engineering (3, 4). This not only facilitates the development of information systems but also ensures the seamless adaptation of existing systems to meet the demands of digital business transformation. A key element of our curriculum is fostering a shared understanding of business processes (4, 5). This shared understanding becomes the foundation upon which technical requirements are translated into actionable steps for system implementation (8, 10). We emphasize an agile approach to implementation (6), employing transformative methods and content (7) to integrate these changes seamlessly into the organizational fabric. To refine and optimize these processes, we introduce process analysis and mining (9). These analyses serve as a valuable tool for evaluating current company processes, pinpointing organizational and technical areas ripe for optimization. In the context of ERP environments, leveraging various cloud computing services becomes instrumental (10), providing adaptive solutions to diverse scenarios. Process engineering, as we define it, embodies a perpetual cycle. It’s a dynamic mechanism for adapting business processes to the ever-shifting framework conditions and market dynamics. This continuous improvement mindset (11) propels iterative changes within the organization and its systems, ensuring sustained relevance and resilience in the face of evolving business landscapes. By addressing these intricacies in our “Process Engineering & Mining” lecture, we equip students not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical insights into orchestrating holistic business transformations. This, we believe, is the key to not just surviving but thriving in the challenging terrain of modern business.

This program challenges students to transcend modular thinking, immersing them in a holistic understanding of business transformation. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of workforce adaptability, business (process) transformation, and digitalization, it focuses on precision in technical requirements through business engineering. Agile methods are integrated for dynamic process transformation, emphasizing a shared understanding of business processes. Continuous process analysis and mining ensures ongoing optimization, and exploration of cloud computing and ERP equips students with a comprehensive toolkit for navigating contemporary business transformation intricacies. Positioning process engineering as a perpetual cycle of adaptation to changing conditions and market dynamics, the program instils the mindset of continuous improvement. Additionally, theoretical understanding takes a leap into practical application. Students don’t just absorb concepts; They actively engage with software like SAP Signavio. Through hands-on modelling (with SAP Signavio Process Manager), process analysis (with SAP Signavio Process Insights) and hands-on process mining exercises (with SAP Signavio Process Intelligence), they gain firsthand experience in preparing for successful business transformations and monitoring ongoing transformation journeys. This hands-on approach not only solidifies theoretical knowledge but equips students with the skills essential for navigating the complexities of real-world business transformation.

While these programs may employ distinct approaches, they converge with a shared objective, preparing students for the future of BPM, EA, and ERP by blending theoretical understanding with practical skills, ensuring they are well-equipped to steer transformative initiatives in dynamic business landscapes.

Beyond Boundaries: Future Horizons and Next Steps in Transformative ERP Education

Exciting developments are on the horizon for the EOG as we embark on the creation of three compelling new case studies: LeanIX, BSI 2002, and for the SAP Signavio Process Explorer. These endeavors aim to enrich the EOG’s repertoire, providing users with diverse and insightful learning experiences. But that’s not all – From a research perspective, we’re delving into the realm of Generative AI. This exploration seeks to leverage Generative AI to enhance the training of large language models. By tapping into the wealth of knowledge embedded in the Enterprise Ontologies of the EOG, we’re striving for a new frontier in disciplines like quality management and improved ERP education.

Additionally, in the wake of LeanIX’s acquisition, we are furthermore looking forward to exploring the possibilities of aligning the academic editions. This aims to enhance collaboration within the academic community, providing a seamless and integrated experience for educators and students alike. Stay tuned for exciting developments as we forge ahead in creating a more interconnected and enriching academic environment.

Call to Action: Resources, Links, and Further Information

SAP Next-Gen is a global community for students, universities, schools, and educational partners, who are passionate about innovation and technology. Our community leverages more than 2,800 educational institutions in over 100 countries. Our goals are to:

• Stimulate learning around digital technologies, twenty-first century skills and business applications.
• Enable research together with universities and organizations in the SAP ecosystem tackling industry use cases.
• Inspire to innovate with SAP to create a meaningful impact on the world.

Become a member of the SAP University Alliances program and enhance your student’s academic outcome. Collaborate on research projects and get access to SAP software, teaching materials and related support: Universities and Academia.

Sign up for the academic edition of SAP Signavio Process Transformation Suite for free and start your software-backed curriculum today: SAP Signavio Process Transformation Suite, Academic Edition.

Sign up for the LeanIX Academic Edition, which is tailored to universities and teaching institutions, providing free access to the ready-to-use Enterprise Architecture Management tool. LeanIX backs the architects of tomorrow as they learn to leverage technology, make decisions, and manage changes in more outcome-driven approaches: LeanIX EAM, Academic Edition.

Sign up for the Business Process Open lecture of 2023/24 with Michael Nürnberg (on January 18th and February 1st, 2024): Business Processes Open Lecture.

Sign up for the new (free) EOG course scheduled for February 15^th, 2024: Enterprise Online Guide @ SAP Signavio for SAP S/4 HANA.

Reach out: If this short exploration of transformative ERP education has ignited your curiosity or if you seek further guidance, feel free to reach out. We are here to support your journey towards holistic business transformation and the future of innovative education.