I am an SAP systems analyst at a major insurance company in the Chicago area. I have been working with the SAP FS CD (commissions and disbursements) module for more than three years. I would like to continue expanding my functional/technical knowledge with SAP certification but I am now sure which one. Can you make any recommendations? I would like to see myself in a lead functional SME, PM, or perhaps an SAP architect role in the next few years.
Requires Free Membership to View
When you register, you will start receiving targeted emails from my award-winning team of editorial writers. Our goal is to keep you informed on the hottest topics and biggest challenges faced by SAP professionals today.
Hannah Smalltree, Editorial Director
I think the certification you choose relates a lot to your end game in SAP. If you would like to become an SAP Architect, then some kind of NetWeaver certification is probably a good next step. If you want to be a project manager, then it may be that a specific program dedicated to project management skills might be an even better investment than SAP certification, such as those offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). On the other hand, if you want to be a functional lead, you might want to pursue a functional certification, perhaps in the SAP Financials arena. SAP has a wide range of certifications available, and I think the best use of certification is exactly what you are doing: don't get certified in the area of SAP you have already mastered, get certified in the area of SAP you would like to head into next. If you want a useful look at the SAP training courses available, check out this link: http://www.sap.com/usa/services/education/catalog/index.epx.
This was first published in February 2008