IT Organization: Support for Reengineering, Analysis …

With more than 850 functions, CT-Assist, as an add-on to the software technology of SAP SE, provides significant support for IT.

The functions of CT-Assist can also effectively support various IT organization work areas:

Application Areas for IT Organization

1. Tasks Related to Reengineering …
1.1 Source Diagrams – Analysis of Complex ABAP Programs …
1.2 Flow Logic Diagrams – Detailed Analysis for Reengineering …
1.3 UML Diagrams – ABAP® Objects for Reengineering …
1.4 ER Diagrams – Basic Organizational Information …

2. IT Workflow Forms Support Software Development and Maintenance …
2.1 Planning, Analysis, Design …
2.2 Organizational Basics, Coordination and Controlling …
2.3 Communication for Team Coordination …

3. The Use of Certified Software = Application Security for Your Company …

In the reengineering area, organizational tasks are supported by, for example, graphical analyses of complex ABAP programs and function modules, ABAP objects, database tables, flow logic …

 “… a picture says more than 1000 words …” 

1.1 Source Diagrams – Analysis of Complex ABAP Programs

them available in graphical form as a source diagram makes it much easier for you to analyze complex program structures.

The CT-Assist rooting of the graphical elements makes an ABAP® program transparent and clear. The individual objects in the source diagram are assigned to the relevant code area in the ABAP program using double-click navigation, which means you can quickly find the context for adjacent areas of code.

 … simplify the analysis of complex ABAP programs through visualization … 

Source Diagram (generated automatically from ABAP Program)

Source Diagram (generated automatically from ABAP Program)

1.2 Flow Logic Diagrams – Detailed Analysis During Reengineering

Flow Logic Diagram with ABAP Program

Flow Logic Diagram with ABAP Program

If, for the purposes of reengineering, for example, complex code areas have to be analyzed, a flow logic representation can help considerably in establishing the logical program flow.

The systematic representation of the program logic makes it possible to see, for example, previously unnoticed branches within sophisticated IF queries. The result of a command sequence is easier to identify and can be grasped more quickly in a graphical representation.

Here too, you can navigate from the graphic to the relevant point in the code by double-clicking.


1.3. UML Diagrams  – ABAP Objects for Reengineering

UML Diagram of ABAP classes ...

UML Diagram of ABAP classes …

The analysis of programs with ABAP® objects is simplified through the use of UML diagrams.

Starting with the current class, other dependent classes are found and shown in a UML class diagram.

In UML notation, the various ABAP-OO classes (ABAP-OO interfaces) are shown as boxes (with class names, methods, and attributes).

By double-clicking, you can navigate from the UML diagram directly to the relevant point in the code (complete source).


1.4 ER Diagrams – Basic Organizational Information

ER Diagram (for table SPFLI with expansion level 2)

ER Diagram (for table SPFLI with expansion level 2)

The ER diagram (Entity Relationship Model) enables the graphical representation of database tables and of the relationship to other database tables.

The ER diagram enables you to quickly gain an overview of the organizational dependencies of the database tables that are used in the problem that is being addressed. This graphical support simplifies the analysis of ABAP program in contexts such as reengineering, documentation, and error correction.

Using the name of a database table as the starting point, the relationships to other database tables stored in the ABAP Dictionary (e.g. check tables) are shown graphically as an entity relationship diagram with various logical expansion levels.

2. IT Workflow Forms Support Software Development and Maintenance …

A sophisticated set of workflow forms is available to support organizational processes and to control the development and maintenance of customer-specific ABAP® programs. In the workflow forms, information objects from company processes relevant to IT are cataloged and managed in a data container (one for each ABAP program), for example:

– E-mails, Word documents
– Analyses, descriptions of requirements
– Diagrams , graphical representations
– Meeting minutes, flow charts
– Design documents, resource planning
– Schedules, organizational charts
– Cost estimates, timetables
– PDF files, Excel documents
– Other information objects and external documents …

2.1 Planning Analysis, Design (Workflow Form: DEM1)

For the process of determining and documenting data related to program development, 3 subprocesses can be distinguished:

  • Planning (determination of objectives, specification, description of requirements, cost estimate)
  • Analysis (analysis of business processes, work process analyses)
  • Design (specification of the basic structure of software programs, definition of interfaces, test scenarios)

The resulting information objects (schedules, design texts, graphics, meeting minutes, …)  can be integrated using special IT workflow forms for IT organization.

Example: IT Workflow Form “DEM1” with Control Information for Reengineering

Information for Reengineering of ABAP Programs

Information for Reengineering of ABAP Programs


2.2 Organizational Basics, Coordination and Controlling (Workflow: DEO1, DET1, DER1)

An example: IT workflow form “DET1” for coordinating deadlines for program development

Coordination of Deadlines

Coordination of Deadlines


2.3 Communication for Team Coordination (Workflow: CSW1, CVC1, CVN1)

Audiovisual media (e.g. *.mp3, *.avc, *.flc) are becoming increasingly important for IT work processes. These audiovisual media can also be used in program development for communication and documentation purposes and can be linked to the code.

At the end of a project, the audiovisual files can be either used in the program documentation or deleted as required.

Form for Communikation / Team Coordination

Form for Communikation / Team Coordination

3. The Use of Certified Software =  Application Security for Your Company …

The security of your company’s applications is supported by the certification of the CT-Add-On by the manufacturer of the ERP software. This certification confirms that interfaces are used correctly, that add-on functions are relevant to the process, and that technical implementation is correctly done.

Your add-on product has undergone system integration tests within an ERP environment. Certified software products significantly increase your IT security.

The CT-Assist software solution was certified by SAP SE on 28.03.2011. [More Information …]