Overview: Most important new features of SAP Focused Build SP4 release

In this update, we’ll tell you how SAP Focused Build is set to get more versatile with SP4, with new features to improve your SAP landscape and ALM. Read on to find out what they are as we talk about the main new features of SP4 and why you need Solution Manager 7.2 and SPS9 to fully enjoy it.

Project Management

The SAPUI5 app comes with a new Multi Project view in Master/Build projects, as well as improved date maintenance. Date information is now listed as either fixed or calculated. And no more fumbling over which row to select: just click in the date field you want and edit to your heart’s content.

Process Management

You now have dropDocs access, which makes it possible to see Test Scripts and work with composite interfaces in Requirement, Work Package, and Work Item. 

There is now also a way to assign a scope to solution documentation via a scoping pop-up, making structure assignments and project selection easier and more intuitive. And further to the dropDocs feature above, you can now also have a choice of more CRM transaction types. None of this will affect KPI ratings.

Requirements Management

SP4 introduces users to My Requirements, My Work Packages and My Work Items. In these apps, users can now customize tables for Value, Effort, Story Points default values, making those a standard across any given project. 

As part of Requirements Management, you can create requirements out of scope and filtered for the future to avoid duplicating set-up work. You can apply further filtering to a scope by Elements, and create work packages within it as well. 

Work Package and Work Item

Work Items have also been revamped with a new non-functional class. This makes it possible to load items without skewing your KPI, as this will automatically be set to N/A. Valuable test cases need no longer come at the cost of distorted KPIs.

Searching is now easier and more effective also, particularly when making general or normal changes, or defect corrections. Given that the person making changes may not know all the systems involved, this option makes it possible to see those systems. 

A switch now allows you to include all systems that are part of a release in a search. SID and Clients appear separate in your results, and you can use text fragments as a search element.

The Test Management tab now lists the relevant test plans and packages. Where Work and Test package values are the same, Assignment Analysis assigns them automatically. And if that turns out to be incorrect, the Architect has a manual override available through the same tab.

Mass Change Operations

You can now use predefined values to make filtering possible, such as Initial Backlog in Requirements Management, based on Requirements and Value and Effort Points. You can also carry out sprint planning in Mass Change Operations based on Work Items or Story Points.

The Project Manager, Developer, Test Manager and Tool Lead can now have the Mass Change Operation tile added to their dashboards, giving them access to that data.

Solution Readiness Dashboard

This component now displays certain KPIs as tiles for easy reference. It also makes it harder to overlook otherwise crucial aspects of your project. Also added is the “Milestone missing” bar under the following parameters: Functional Specification, Technical Design, Development, Unit Test and Single Functional Test Case.

Whereas before, all such performance markers appeared under “Overdue”, you can now clearly distinguish what is overdue, and in which area of the project. The sooner such things are found, the more efficient your operation becomes.

Defect Corrections now feature as data points of their own with a column in the Work Package Detailed View table, giving access to yet more detailed information on them with the click of a button. They also appear as a tile in the Single Functional Test (itself now offered as a tile) view giving stats on whether “confirmed”, “to be done”, “withdrawn” or “overdue”.

With a documentation tab, you can now assign Defect Corrections to Business Processes or Libraries. When in the scope of a Work Package, those assigned structures and documents will follow the Defect Correction to that Work Package, saving time and effort.

Details about project or wave information can now be accessed via a dedicated tab too, and Mass Change Operations lets defects be filtered according to that same information.

Test Suite Designer Improvements

This app now supports improved upload of Test Step Versions and Sub-steps as well as download of Test Steps and Test Cases to speed up these processes. Meanwhile, you can drag and drop any attachments which then appear as thumbnails, making navigation easier.

You can use content from Solutions Documentation to create Test Steps. There is a standard comment field to aid communication, and a new “On behalf of” change mode when changes are delegated.

To see what relates most to each user, Test Packages and Test Lists can be arranged as needed and, to give yet more transparency, Testers can now view other users’ Test Results.

Management relies on information, and live information is better than historic, so now live data is used in the Test Suite Dashboard, rather than Business Warehouse data. This makes you independent from the next data extraction.

Release and ChaRM dashboard

Tiles are now equipped with information buttons so you know exactly what each tile does, making it easier for you to design and refine your dashboard.

Defect Corrections now has additional fields for important information to be easier to access in SP4, while the ChaRM dashboard can display selection summaries. You can also reduce large lists with new filter options.

FixPace

This tool works alongside the release itself. It permits fix processes for Focused Build projects under the Request for Change , Urgent Change, and finally Standard Change categories, which is used for low-risk, often used changes.

Any companies working with the FDA can also enjoy digital signature features to ensure their document trail can be fully digitized.

Simple IT Request

Its easy to find what you need if it is set as a favourite. Adding and removing favourites is now an option for simple IT requests to be listed in the Service Catalogue, which again saves time and nerves. The same goes for filter requests based on status.

Any requests made can be accessed on the My Requests page. Any solutions offered can be rejected or confirmed, but this time with a means of giving feedback included as well, which can help clarify what works and what doesn’t.

All in all, SP4 has more useful tools and content, made easier to access and understand.

SP4 is indeed bursting with new options to improve your Solution Manager experience, but to enjoy SP4 there is something you need to know!

You can’t access these unless you’re already running Solution Manager 7.2 and SPS9.

For more information on these upgrades, see our other update on SPS9 here. 

The user-inspired refinements of SP4 will help you keep or build your competitive edge by letting SAP do what it does best: improving oversight and efficiency in your business.

Why not let blueworks do what it does best and help you integrate SP4 and all aspects of your ALM. The same way a tailored suit fits you better than one off the peg, blueworks configures SAP in a way that fits your company perfectly.

Talk to Kenneth Staub today for more information or a quote at kenneth.staub [at] blue.works or +372 53 863 225.