How to Avoid Risks and Challenges While Using Object Changeability in SAP BW/4HANA Modelling: A Best Practice Guide
Object changeability is a feature that allows you to modify or create objects of a specific object type in a system that is globally set to not changeable, such as a production system. It gives you more flexibility and control over your SAP BW/4HANA system, but also comes with some risks and challenges, such as performance degradation, data inconsistency, transport disconnection, and security compromise. In this blog post, we will share some best practices on how to avoid or minimize these risks and challenges while using object changeability in SAP BW/4HANA modelling.
Best Practice 1: Use object changeability only when necessary
The first and most important best practice is to use object changeability only when necessary. Object changeability should not be used as a regular or frequent way of changing your SAP BW/4HANA system, but rather as an exceptional or emergency measure. Object changeability should only be used for scenarios where you need to make quick fixes or repairs, adjust the starting time or frequency of your process chains, create new queries or reports for ad-hoc analysis or visualization, integrate or harmonize data from external sources or systems, or experiment with new features or functionalities. For any other scenarios, you should follow the standard development and transport process, and make changes to your objects in a development system.
Best Practice 2: Choose the right option for object changeability
The second best practice is to choose the right option for object changeability. Object changeability allows you to override the global setting for individual object types, and make them changeable in a not changeable system. However, there are two options for object changeability: Original Changeable and Everything Changeable. Original Changeable means that you can only create new objects of that type in your system. Everything Changeable means that you can also modify existing objects of that type in your system. You should choose the option that suits your scenario and requirement, and avoid making unnecessary changes to your existing objects. For example, if you want to create new queries in your production system, you should choose Original Changeable for the query object type, and not Everything Changeable.
Best Practice 3: Document and communicate your changes
The third best practice is to document and communicate your changes. Object changeability makes your objects of the selected object type changeable in your system, even if it is globally set to not changeable. As a result, these objects are no longer connected to the transport system or the version management. This means that you need to keep track of your changes manually, and inform your colleagues or stakeholders about them. You should document your changes by using comments, descriptions, annotations, etc., and communicate your changes by using emails, messages, notifications, etc. You should also explain the reason and purpose of your changes, and the impact and outcome of them.
Best Practice 4: Monitor and optimize your performance
The fourth best practice is to monitor and optimize your performance. Object changeability may affect the performance of your SAP BW/4HANA system, due to increased network traffic or system load. You should monitor your performance by using tools such as SAP HANA Cockpit, SAP HANA Studio, SAP BW Administration Cockpit, etc., and optimize your performance by using techniques such as caching, compression, partitioning, indexing, etc. You should also avoid making changes to large or complex objects that may consume a lot of resources or time.
Best Practice 5: Ensure and maintain your data quality
The fifth best practice is to ensure and maintain your data quality. Object changeability may cause data inconsistency or outdatedness in your SAP BW/4HANA system, due to manual changes or imports. You should ensure your data quality by using tools such as Data Quality Cockpit, Data Quality Monitor, Data Quality Dashboard, etc., and maintain your data quality by using techniques such as validation, cleansing, reconciliation, synchronization, etc. You should also avoid making changes to critical or sensitive data that may affect your business processes or decisions.
Best Practice 6: Protect and secure your data
The sixth best practice is to protect and secure your data. Object changeability may compromise the security of your SAP BW/4HANA system, due to unauthorized access or modification. You should protect your data by using tools such as SAP HANA Security, SAP BW/4HANA Security, SAP Identity Management, etc., and secure your data by using techniques such as encryption, authentication, authorization, auditing, etc. You should also avoid making changes to confidential or personal data that may violate the privacy or compliance policies.
Conclusion
Object changeability is a useful feature that allows you to modify or create objects of a specific object type in a system that is globally set to not changeable, such as a production system. It gives you more flexibility and control over your SAP BW/4HANA system, but also requires careful consideration and planning. In this blog post, we have shared some best practices on how to avoid or minimize the risks and challenges while using object changeability in SAP BW/4HANA modelling. We hope this blog post has helped you understand how to use object changeability in a safe and effective way. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI.