Are you a Functional ABAPer?

Question

Hi folks,
I started my career in informatics as a COBOL / mainframe programmer way back when the u2018Big Blueu2019 was the order of the day (it feels like as if it was a thousand years ago). Anyhow, as these legacy systems are on the verge of extinction, I decided to get into ABAP, thinking I can bank on my programming background. But it seems to me that the majority of the enterprises expect an u2018ABAPeru2019 to have instantaneous knowledge of any and all of their SAP modules, no matter what business they are in. God forbid if you say: Hey listen, Iu2019m a programmer and not a functional analyst and donu2019t know much about such and such area or so and so functionality. It is then that eyebrows are raised, eyes would start rolling and rumors would spread as to how unfunctional or better say dysfunctional you are!
Are u2018ABAPersu2019 supposed to be multiple Functional analysts, programmer(s), etc, all in one package? I mean, is this one of those: u201CBuy one, get many others for freeu201D deals? If that is the case, where do functional analysts come into play? Or am totally off base here and have lost it altogether?
I am just curious, how many u2018ABAPersu2019 have had the same experience and how did you remedy the situation, cause I am at my ropeu2019s end.
Yours truly
Unfunctional ABAPer

Answer 1

Ardavan, I saw your thread but haven't had a chance to reply until today. Even though you have closed it as 'answered', hopefully it's OK if I still add my 2 cents.
There are many similarities with my own situation. I too came to ABAP world from the mainframe background.  Currently I'm actively searching for a new job and, just as you, I'm sometimes confused (if not disturbed) by what the employers are expecting from the ABAP developers.
I think it's safe to say that even an ABAP beginner would have some experience in at least one module. Naturally, an ABAPer cannot be expected to know as much as a functional expert. Basic familiarity with the tables (which may be found "on the netz"), document/process flow, basic terms (in "sapanese"), any ABAP related peculiarities (e.g. funky user exits and routines in SD) should be enough and this may be mastered in a month or so.
Also many modules "cross paths" frequently, so there is a good chance you in fact have more exposure than you think. E.g. SD frequently comes together with MM and FI. But what confuses me most is when the employers are looking for an ABAP developer with experience in HR, FI, PP, MM, WM topped with BI, XI, Web Dynpro and Java.
Why do employers do this? Well, for one - because with 10% unemployment they can. There are actually quite a few ABAPers out there (Otto? ) that might fit the description above. (Whether they'll be willing to work for this company at this location/salary - is another question.) Second, some companies really do have small SAP teams and one person might need to deal with many different things. This is rather an exception though and such companies might be more willing to consider someone who doesn't have everything on their "menu". Third, well, some companies just have poor talent management skills. They develop a unrealistic job description and then complain that they can't fill the position for months and all candidates are "unqualified". From my experience, these companies frequently end up either adjusting their expectations or happily hiring someone with a made-up resume.
(to be continued...)