SAP LeanIX Custom Reporting Webinar | Architecting the Future Autonomous Enterprise |

So let's start recording session. Hello everyone, thank you for joining in. So let's welcome to our Transformation Saturday, and as we discussed, there are various topics related to business transformations. We have a new topic for today I will be presenting, and also we'll be doing some minor hands-on towards the end of the sessions. Okay, so with that note, let me start with Transformation Saturday. So today we will be focusing on how enterprise architecture data, because that is your oil we call it, right, the data whatever you are creating in your space. So from enterprise architecture point of view, how that will lead to better executive decisions, and we will be focusing on SAP LeanIX for that, but It could be any tools, any EA tools you can utilize it for that matter, right? But ensuring that those capabilities are there, right? So I'll be presenting the same thing today and let me share my screen and I will be starting quick presentation, then we will be going to the demo part of it. Okay, so I'll spotlight it, from enterprise architecture data to the executive decisions. Okay, so that's the topic for today and the subtitle for this today is how SAP LeanIX is turning the entire Enterprise architecture data into the decision-ready insights, because AI will be helping you. Linux will be helping you with everything, with the data and all. But how you can get meaningful decisions out of it? So that is the intention for today's session. So now with that, at Success Labs Academy, we're actually taking the best experiences for a better world. So this we will start with the five minute. Litmus test for the CIO today. So if your CIO has asked you right now which applications should we invest in, modernize, tolerate, or retire, are you able to answer that? Can you answer it confidently? Think about it. Whether whatever the tools you are having, it doesn't matter whether you're having an enterprise architecture tool or not, doesn't matter. So think about it. So without tool And with tool, if you're utilizing EA tool, just to write down which EA tool currently. When I say EA tool, enterprise architecture management tool I'm talking about. It could be SAP LeanIX, it could be BizDesign, it could be anything similar kind of. There are so many products in the market available, okay? From an enterprise architecture point of view, right? So can you answer that? So if your answer is yes, just to type down in the chat, or if you're watching in the YouTube, you can put your comment in the chat itself. Right? So now with that, invest means where you have to invest all the strategic assets with high business value, and also you're looking at a strong future fit for it. It could be example could be any of the SAP applications or any of these leading any specific organization specific your industry specific applications, right? And modernize. There are some of the applications that need to a technical lift. Okay? That means there are some legacy codes are there. And that you need to replatform it in this AI era, especially. So then tolerate, basically legal system with a limited strategic relevance, but you have some operational dependency on them, so you may have to think about it in the next stage. Similarly, if you go to retire or eliminate, those are like redundant applications, you identified that those are few applications, they're very high cost, And also the end of the life is also coming up for those application. It could be your SAP ECC or it could be any of the applications which is exact the end of life is coming up, right? That needs to be decommissioned, right? So that is the way you have to do an investment. The challenge is not about finding the data. You can find the data if you are maintaining in any of the EA tool very easily or otherwise those turning the data into the decision is very difficult sometimes. Okay, so with that note, we can see that data is not equal to insight is not equal to decision. So ultimately, so even if you are having everything, you are having a fact sheet, you are having application inventory, you are having technology register, it could be XYZ, still the business needs an actionable answer. That is where the EA actually helps us. Okay, so most of the EA teams, they are not There is no depth of data. So there are a lot of data, plenty of data. But what exactly need is why? Why? What they need is the decision-ready architecture intelligence. So here architecture intelligence is very very important here, right? So this is the flow you may be having. You might be using SAP Linux or any other product. So I'm not promoting SAP Linux here, but any of the enterprise architecture management tool because I have used Linux for a while. So for the reason I am explaining, even if you do not know. So basically even my But entire research was also on Linux. If you search, okay, if you go here, go to Google or any ChatGPT or anywhere you go here, you will be finding my research paper. Just to search for ResearchGate, ResearchGate, uh, Niladri, you'll be finding SSBM, you'll be finding my research paper publicly available and you can have a look into that. So this is the, this one, From Vision to Venture: Enterprise Architecture in this education. So I've focused on education sector use case, and you'll be finding that's publicly available, okay? And here in this entire case study, you'll be finding the LeanIX. I have— how I have portrayed the entire LeanIX applications, you can see those, okay? Inventory reports, diagrams, collaboration, okay? Initiative— this is an education initiative, okay? For a transformation point of view, you'll be finding couple of fact sheets here. You'll be finding community-driven school transformation Alumni engagement, community-driven, all these things you'll be finding here. This is the detailed part of it. You can download it, it's publicly available, anyone can download and you can also refer it, okay? And you can cite it also if you're a researcher, like in your research you can also give a citation for it. So now coming to this part of it, we already discussed this part. Now we already understood the problem. Now, so now only reporting is not enough, okay? So why reporting alone It's false sort. So one question is, and the 3 different lenses we'll be looking at. Okay, so because every stakeholder requires different view of the same architectural reality, delivering only one lens, it will be— decision may be incomplete. So for the reason, your standard reports, whatever you are having it, that will definitely analyze your data, it will checking your patterns, anomalies, any trend across your application portfolio. What are the application portfolio you are having in your entire organization, the different structured filter, you can output and everything, you can do that, right? But again, you need also a dashboard for your senior stakeholders because there is senior stakeholders, CXOs, your CIOs, CTOs, they are not interested to go for a granular level of reports. Rather, they will be happy with dashboards. So for that reason, they always look for your KPIs. It will be real time to surface all the KPIs, all the risk indicators. And the lifecycle status in a format so that you can speak to the management audience. They are more of, especially the CXOs I'm talking about, because most of the cases in the last couple of years I have worked with the CIOs, CTOs, okay, your Chief Digital Officer, your VP, all those people, right? So they are very particular about this kind of data and very real-time. It should be real-time data, okay? So now also diagramming, because diagramming is where the enterprise architecture is coming into picture. It's not about the dashboard or report, but also whenever I'm talking about diagrams, this diagram also should be very specific. It's talking about the relationship between those diagrams and design change. So also the visualization dependencies among all the data flows, whatever you're talking about, it should also reflect the corresponding integration points and your whatever architectural decisions you are making in, right? So it should focus on all this aspect of it. So this is what exactly So only report is not enough. We have to think about in all the different dimensions. Okay, so then only all the three lenses. Whenever looking at all the three lenses, then one perfect outcome will be coming up. So then only you can take a better decisions. Okay, that's your architectural decision point of view. Your ADR, architectural decision record, everything whatever maintain it, it should be an outcome of this. Okay, so now we would be having another angle to it. So the architect's real question: What is the architect's real question? So So what decisions are we really trying to enable? So you will be having every report, every dashboard, every diagram, this should be traced back to your concrete decisions so that human needs to make that decision, so that without an anchor, whatever outcome, whatever the decorative artifacts you are making, that would not be helpful. So for that reason, we have to see, we already know about it as an enterprise architect, know about the application rationalization, which application will stay, which will be transferred, which will go away. You'd also understand the technology risk, what are the different critical vulnerabilities in your entire landscape. You should be able to identify that technically and also how to prioritize whenever you're investing, right? When you're talking to CFOs at all, they will be also IT also. So where should IT spend? So whenever there is a maximum business return, you're getting a maximum ROI, you are getting it, that is the priority, right? So that is from a value realization point of view. Similarly, from an integrations aspect of it, what will you be breaking if you decommission a particular application? Is there any impact? That impact analysis, you should be able to do that, right? Similarly, what does the target future state landscape look like? So always you think about whenever designing the roadmap and all, you'd also think about target architecture. Then any kind of a transformation you are doing, it's a finance transformation, HR transformation, supply chain management transformation, or it could be industry-oriented transformation for your particular sector. Maybe you are working in a Typical healthcare sector, education sector, finance banking sector, insurance sector, doesn't matter, right? So you have to find the sequence path for this from your current state to the target state. That you should be very clear idea about it, right? So always start with the decisions. Do not think always about this feature, that feature. So whether are you able to make some decisions out of it, that is where we require reports and detailed one, okay? Where you understand it, understand those detail part of it. Now in our framework, what we are doing is here we have to also understand the data. As I told you, you should be able to visualize those, you should be able to interpret it, then the decision-making becomes so easy out of that. Then you taken actually whether you want to retire, whether you want to consolidate, whether you want to modernize, or you want to invest, you can take an action over. So this is the entire insight loop actually, again we have prepared. It's a navigator of a transformation rather than taking only decisions based on the data, rather it's a navigator, it will be working as a navigator for you. So now what we are going to do, so imagine I am your CIO and you are having 250+ applications, I am asking as a CIO to identify the rationalization candidates before the next board review, you have to do that. So now you have 2 weeks of time, so it's a challenge, you can accept it as a challenge. What do you do first? So first question is, What information would you need to make that recommendation with confidence? So you are actually identifying the rationalization, right? So this is the use case, you can take it up. Now data dimension point of view, you have to think about it from a business criticality point of view, how those vital applications are from your core operations point of view. You have to think about whether those are functional fit and technical fit point of view, is it meeting your current and future business needs point of view from a life and thing is lifecycle risk point of view. Is it approaching your end of life? What is the vendor risk? All those things you have to factor in. Then also the cost point of view. That's not the last but not the least. What does it cost? What would break if you are retiring it? What will happen? That impact analysis you have to do it. So this is what exactly typically at enterprise architecture level we do that. Now, so let's ask a better data, better question. So let's say Let's say we are you are having SAP Linux tool is one of the tool. It doesn't simply store your architectural data, but also in a structured way. Okay, so whatever we are querying, whatever we are filtering, you are getting the visual analysis of the both. Okay, very fast and meaningful. We will be seeing that shortly. But the flow from a fact sheet to exit ready decisions follows a clear architectural pipeline. So we will now focusing on what is that pipeline for you, right? So here. Fact sheet, you might have seen those facts. It is having applications, capability, technology. There are 13 around fact sheets we are having it. Okay, then you apply filter to that, right? Whether depending upon the business criticality, lifecycle, and tagging point of— then you analyze the patterns, anomalies, and risk. Then you finally, you visualize the reports, dashboards, diagram, whatever you are having it. Okay, so that will be helping you in this long run whenever you're doing this activity. So each and every stages, whatever you are seeing it That is deliberate. It is pretty much explainable, and you should be able to find out those details here. Okay, and also whatever the output you are getting, that is also you can take a trace back. Okay, so that you can make better decisions, and not it's not typical data exercise at all. Right? Rather, so it's a flow. All right. So we'll be seeing shortly this demo. Then we'll be coming there. Okay. What is the same insight needs to reach the CIO? Okay. So it's not about decorating your dashboard. Rather, design decision surface we're talking. So basically, we have to design a well-designed dashboard. It is not a collection of only chart chart chart chart like that ten ten ten to twenty different charts is not so you know rather it should be curating whether the whatever the question the portfolio committee is asking or the risk board is asking okay and you are able to architect that view accordingly okay so do not decorate over decorate your dashboard rather either you are able to answer all of this in the application portfolio KPI risk indicator rational candidates Your strategic importance, all of the things would be coming up in a dashboard itself. Okay, so what if, if you are not having the numbers? So why are these applications are connected? All the things actually, number, numbers will definitely tell you what exactly, but when it comes to diagram part of it to tell you why and how. So for the reason diagram also very important in a typical LeanIX, SRE LeanIX point of view, from a tools point of view, right? So whenever any of the executive challenging any kind of rationalization, you can always drill down that. Okay, that relationship and also to separate your credible EA practitioner from data reporter. You're not a data reporter, by the way. You are an EA practitioner. Okay, you're an enterprise architect practitioner, not a data reporter. Right? So let's say you're having application number eight, where the source system is triggering a process. Let's say there's an interface for that, and let's say another application is having a downstream consumer for that data stream. Right? So then what will happen? You'd also have a connection to a business capability, so that in this entire chain. You'll be understanding which function is doing that using that particular application because everything is connected, right? So you have to understand relationship, you understand the dependency among the application, you understand the data flow, you understand the architectural context. So this will be all the 4 things are really required whenever you're talking about it. Typically SAP Linux point of view, all these things are really required for you. Okay, so now coming to from an architectural view point of view, so report will talk about what is happening Okay, and each view will be giving you different, fundamentally different questions. So we'll come into the report shortly, but the mature EA will be knowing which lens to apply because you will be having different format to it and when to combine to all the 3 to drive the entire transformation process. So we should be knowing that. So report is all about what is happening, so typical standard things, anomalies, trends, and everything. Dashboard will be helping you how are we performing. So report is all about what, Dashboard is all about how are we performing. So it will be having visual KPIs and designed for each and every governance audiences and also the management communications point of view. It will be giving that point of view. Then diagram, diagram will be talking about is how does it work, because the relationship and context you cannot get it in the report and dashboard view. You have to go to the diagram view and where exactly you'll be checking all the relationship and context view so that you can explain the logic behind it. You can explain in the integration design part of it, everything we'll talk about it, right? So now the target architecture will be talking about, so where are we going currently, where are we in, and the next, where are we going? So future state blueprint will be giving the entire transformation a particular direction and with a particular destination. So that is what exactly it will be talking about right here. So now this is what exactly they talk about. So report will be analyzing current state insights and communicate, dashboard will be communicating the key metrics Diagram is giving you the explainability, that all the rationale behind it. Then target architecture will be giving you the delivery side of it. So what we are transforming in. So this is the one direction of travel ideally we do, but we are having 3 different views for towards the target architecture. Okay, so this is what exactly we thought of sharing with you. And, uh, so this all lays out— I'm not going through in detail, this is already very aware of it— what is the current state and future state, all of these things. So I'm I'm not focusing more here. Now I will be leaving with a challenge here before we go to the demo part of it. So I already talked about you have 250 applications and more, and you have to reduce the application complexity by 30% within 18 months, and you have 10 minutes to prepare your recommendation framework. So how to do that? It's a 10-minute challenge. Think about it. Go, and if you're having a tool, okay, go there, or you can think on paper. Okay, so think on paper. How and how, what you should do for this. You can also utilize any of the AI tools for this. So this is your use case, right? So my challenge for you is just think about it before you see my solution part of it. Okay, so what data would you analyze? It could be business criticality, functional field, technical health, cost, and lifecycle status. Usually that data will definitely analyze and ensure your system is providing those data. Okay, then what you use the report for any kind of filtering, ranking, exporting, rationalization, candidate list for you, definitely you can do that. And would you use a dashboard? Because for portfolio health and progress to CIO and governance, but you can decide that, it's up to you, right? Then would you use a diagram for explainability point of view? Okay, whenever recommending a decommission, okay, why? Okay, and you should be able to explain that. And also all these things in a sequence roadmap and risk adjust a rational point of view, you have to decide. So this is what exactly— this is your challenge for all of you. You can think about it and come back, okay? Pause the video if you're watching my platform or YouTube, okay? Think about it, and before you go to the next segment of the video, then we— I will be explaining what does it mean, right? So take your time, pause the video, and make a note of your— in your— think about it. It's all about thinking, okay? Okay, think about it. What you can do in this scenario? It's a real scenario. Usually there are more complex scenarios. I gave you the simplest one today, so you can think about it. And now without any further ado, let me go to the next part of it. So you will be finding it is not a report versus dashboard or versus diagram. Okay, because every lens has a role. Okay, every view will be serving a different audience, different decision context, right? So many a times we as a EA practitioner, including me, we treat this as a different competing alternative. So they are not competing with each other, right? Also, they are not abandoning one, we are choosing another one, right? So as an advanced architect, as a senior architect or a practitioner, I will say whenever you're designing the architecture, any kind of decision you are making, integrate all the 3 views into a coherent governed audience who are aware of the intelligence framework. Okay, they became maybe having different questions and all. But combine all of those things. So how can you combine that? Okay, so they know what exactly, which lens to reach for and when to combine them, right? So that is what exactly is required in this case. So because you need to have a different question, require different lenses to see it, and you may be mastering the entire system, okay, not only specific tool or technology, rather your maturity lies in your overall which lens you are looking at, right? That is most important here. Okay, so now from a maturity point of view, so our tool is not a bottleneck anyway. Okay, it's one of the most capable tools in the world. I will say I have been using for the last 6 years, more than that. And the platform alone doesn't produce decision-ready insight. So the thing is practice and maturity and the depth of understanding. Okay, so if you are a level 1 user, you know where to click, you are navigating the platform. If you are level 2 power user, you can create views and analyze data. Where exactly coming in, where exactly you have to have a build your custom reports. You are able to create your dashboard. You can apply filters, logs. You can communicate your portfolio status to management in a cohesive way, right? Then EA practice. The level three is you are using those information to influence whatever decisions you are making in. So that design decision will be surfacing here, and also the data quality will be completely governed. And it will connect to the EA insights to give a better outcome, business outcome I mean to say, and you can design a transformation roadmap out of it. So this is the typical maturity assessment I'm talking about. Now you can do a self-assessment for yourself at what level you are in. You don't have to share with us, just to think about it and where you are going to the next level if you are in a level 1 or level 2. So even in EA practitioner, it is again that it's not a place where you already have reached, it's not like that, it's a continuous learning again. So everybody is learning. Okay, so but at least you'll be understanding what is your maturity level as an enterprise architect. Now after understanding the foundation side of it, today whatever we have seen the foundation part of it, but actually there are something beyond the standard views. We have advanced reporting, we have to have a custom metric, govern data models, cross-domain analysis. It could be a lot of decision frameworks also that connect different output to the investment governance decisions. Okay, architecture governance, lot of topics are there, custom extension you might be having. You might be having there are different scenario modeling, change impact analysis. Okay, if you're having any multi-year roadmap, multi-year programs, initiatives, projects like that, right? So, so knowing that feature is different thing and getting the outcome, the architectural outcome is different thing, right? Isn't it? So now whatever a journey we talked about, so we are suggesting that you move from a tool user to a transformation advisor. So you should not become only a tool user. It's okay to start with. Okay, so what we are doing is at Success Labs Academy, we are now our platform and we are building the entire thing, build your understanding for a beginner foundational enterprise architecture practice, and we offer you the SAP Linux point of view. Then you apply those skills in a structured hands-on. We are primarily hands-on oriented scenario we are giving to you, and you are given case studies, you will be given business transformations exercises, then you apply for that application. Then with the real-world architecture, how does it work? Then you finally design your decision-ready insights for all the stakeholders there, and that then only becomes a trusted advisor because trust is the real currency in this world, okay? Especially in this AI space, right? So what are topics? These are different topics we are covering. We cover more than that, but, uh, there are 12 streams of different architecture we are covering, but primarily we start with here. And if you want to go beyond using SML and IX, we also have an offer. We have a Different programs. We have an in-depth program for this. We can always, uh, across the six dimensions we are focusing on. And I invite to all of you, if you are having already knowledge, it's well and good. You can go to the next level always, but to a leadership role and all everything. But you can book sessions and you can join our hands-on sessions. We conduct time-to-time boot camps. And for that, very simple, you need to go to our platform. So our platform is ready. So you can just go to the website www.successlabsacademy.com, and in that website you will be finding options there. So depending upon your expectations, so you can join our journey program. So there is a journey program, okay? And also we do have a— there are different curriculum programs, and I will highly recommend to start with the Foundation Lifetime. Currently whatever you're attending is like a master class, okay? And in this master class, if you want the recordings and all, and you have to go For a silver membership, we are having a four-tier membership here. So you can go for the foundation lifetime program. It is very simple. It's a lifetime access. You'll be getting to all of the webinars we conduct time to time. Okay, and you just go there and you'll be finding the basics of your if you're starting new as an architect or irrespective of your platform, irrespective of your background, you want to switch towards the architectural roles, right? It could be business architect, could be enterprise architect, solution architect, but those principles. Understanding of doing a very much, you know, hands-on oriented session. Also, if you are a university student, I know many of us, um, it is not at all taught actually most of the universities and all, very few. I have been mentoring also the people, uh, from the open group and all many times for the last couple of years, and 99% of the colleges and universities do not offer. They have very, very basic architectural course that's no use, okay. And we cover all the practical assessment. We do conduct hackathons for you. We do conduct 90 days challenge, 21 days assignment, and we have a group coaching format. And also after that you'll be getting digital badge. Okay, and it depends upon— so irrespective whether you're students, professors who are curious about architecture, they can also join. If you're a graduate, postgraduate, PhD, okay, and you want to explore more about the enterprise architecture, you can also join, or you are a mid-career professional, you do not know where to go. You already are a part of a developer or program, or you already have developed a lot of things, but you want to get a more new direction for your career, right? So especially the mid-career professionals, okay? So most of my students are members in our community are in this category, and from a global different part of the world, and they join the program and they actually talk about They explore all those aspects of it, and it's very interactive sessions we conducted time to time. And those details are pretty much available. You can go for it, and you then generally join. Okay, so then we will be having orientation program for you and everything, right? And so we are having 2 complimentary— so there are complimentary webinars. As I say, we conduct all those things, whatever the current webinar we are conducting. And based on that, you can also choose a journey map. So So depending upon your basically what is your priorities, you can start your journey. This journey map is by the way free of cost. It's a tool we have developed. So depending upon which sector you are going for, so you can choose any of the sector, okay? And you can choose enterprise architecture or your aspiration, maybe data architecture, business architecture, all the 12 streams of architecture we have highlighted here. You can choose any of these things, okay? Anyone. Then you can choose your tracks, whether you want to expertise in a strategy side of it or you want to expertise more of a looking for a job and you want to prepare for an interview for that process. I've been helping a lot of people, okay? Uh, or you want to go for more of an influence building, as you're a senior leader, so you want to have a podcast, okay? We can collaborate for that, right? And also we can industry-specific, you want to do any research or you want to have any documentation, you want to present it, or you want to do a pre-sales, okay? So you can just simply go here and you fill up the details like your name and your email IDs, and definitely I will be helping you to navigate into the next. This is the application form, okay? And also it is journey for you. Once you submit it, we also do not forget to write down your goals for the next 30 to 90 days. What exactly your short-term goals, what your aspiration for the long term, right? So that my AI tools in the backend, it will be analyzing those information. I can give you a better— with my experience and all, so I can give you a better suggestion for direction you should go, right? So with that note, this is the what exactly I thought of sharing with you. It is pretty much affordable and you can go here and you can always register for it. Otherwise, we have also free webinar is always there. So free webinar, we just give awareness, we do not go in depth of it. But in my hackathons, in my other membership, we are having in depth, we have a boot camp.