The Overlap: What SAP FDDs and UX Docs Have in Common
At their core, FDDs and UX documentation are doing the same thing: providing clarity before development begins.
1. Discovery Comes First
In SAP projects, we create a Business Process Procedure (BPP) — documenting “as-is” and “to-be” workflows.
In UX, we start with user research — interviews, journey maps, and personas.
Different tools, same purpose: understand the user, the process, and the problem before designing the solution.
2. Blueprinting the Solution
An FDD translates requirements into business rules, functional specifications, data mappings, and workflows. UX documentation translates insights into user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and annotated interaction specs.
In both cases, these documents are blueprints — giving developers a clear guide to build the right thing.
3. Validation Before Build
In SAP, we use Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) and Critical Design Reviews (CDR) to validate the design. In UX, we run design reviews and usability testing to gather feedback before handoff.
The goal is the same: catch issues early, reduce costly rework later.
4. Reducing Risk
Both documents exist to de-risk delivery. Whether it’s avoiding failed UAT in SAP or preventing poor usability post-launch, thorough design documentation keeps projects on track.
The Differences: Where They Diverge
While they share a mission, FDDs and UX documents diverge in audience, format, and focus:
1. Audience & Language
FDDs: Written for developers, functional consultants, and business stakeholders. They use system-focused language: field names, rules, and configurations.
UX Docs: Written for designers, product managers, and front-end developers. They speak in human-centered language: user flows, touchpoints, and interactions.
2. Format & Deliverables
FDD: Text-heavy, numbered requirements (FR1, FR2…), process diagrams, and field mapping tables.
UX Docs: Visual-first — annotated wireframes, clickable prototypes, journey maps, and style guides.
3. Scope & Focus
FDDs: Prioritize functional accuracy and technical feasibility.
UX Docs: Focus on usability, accessibility, and user satisfaction.
Bridging the Gap: How UX Thinking Elevates FDDs
Here’s where the magic happens: When we combine UX principles with SAP functional design, enterprise systems become far more intuitive.
How?
Add personas to FDDs: Make business rules human by tying them to real users.
Include wireframes in the design section: Give developers visual context for screens or reports.
Use journey mapping alongside BPPs: Document not just processes, but pain points and opportunities.
This hybrid approach ensures the system is built for how people actually work, not just how the process is defined.
Final Thoughts
An FDD is to SAP what a wireframe + spec is to digital product design: A bridge between vision and execution.
When we combine the clarity of functional documentation with the empathy of UX design, we don’t just deliver a system. We deliver a solution people want to use.
Want to Dive Deeper?
I explored this topic further in my LinkedIn article: A Great SAP Project Doesn’t Start with Code — It Starts with an FDD
Let’s Make Your Systems Work for People
If you’re planning a SAP implementation or redesign, I help organizations bridge the gap between SAP functionality and human-centered design — ensuring solutions are usable, adoptable, and built to last.
Free Resource: Your FDD + UX Request Checklist
Before you start your next FDD, make sure you’re set up for success.
I’ve created a free downloadable checklist to help you:
Gather all the right inputs upfront (business, user, and technical requirements).
Incorporate UX principles into your SAP documentation.
Prepare for PDR & CDR reviews that de-risk delivery.
