SAP SuccessFactors – Interview Cheatsheet

1. Overview

What is SAP SuccessFactors?

A cloud-based HCM suite used for end-to-end human resource lifecycle management:

  • Employee Central (EC)
  • Recruiting
  • Onboarding
  • Performance & Goals
  • Compensation
  • Learning (LMS)
  • Succession & Development
  • Workforce Analytics & Planning

2. Core Architecture

Key Concepts

  • Metadata Framework (MDF)
  • Business Rules Engine
  • RBP → Role-Based Permissions
  • OData & SFAPI
  • Data Models (for EC)
    • Corporate Data Model
    • Succession Data Model
    • Country/Region-Specific MDF
    • EC XML Models (if not MDF-based)

3. Employee Central (EC) Essentials

Data Models

  1. Corporate Data Model – Foundation Objects
  2. Succession Data Model – Employee data fields
  3. Country-Specific Models – Address, National IDs
  4. EC Position Management – Positions, Job Reqs, Org Chart

Foundation Objects

  • Legal Entity
  • Business Unit
  • Division
  • Department
  • Location
  • Job Classification
  • Pay Grade / Pay Range

Employment Objects

  • Biographical Info
  • Job Info
  • Compensation Info
  • Work Permit
  • Dependents
  • Global Assignment & Concurrent Employment

Workflows

  • Triggered by Change in Data → Rule → Approver Flow
  • Workflow Import/Proxy/Delegate

4. SAP SF Integrations

Integration Types

  • OData API – Modern REST-based
  • SFAPI (SOAP API) – Legacy
  • Integration Center – No-code integration
  • Intelligent Services (IS) – Event-driven
  • SAP CPI (Cloud Platform Integration) – Preferred for S/4HANA, EC Payroll

Common Integrations

  • EC → SAP Payroll
  • EC → ERP/S4
  • EC Time → Kronos
  • EC Recruiting → Onboarding
  • LMS → EC

5. Performance & Goals (PMGM)

Key Features

  • Goal Plan templates
  • Performance Form templates
  • Route Maps
  • Competencies & Behavioral Anchors
  • 360 Reviews
  • Calibration

Frequently Used Concepts

  • Route Map stages (Self → Manager → Calibration → Signature)
  • Stack ranking
  • Continuous Performance Management

6. Compensation Management

  • Salary Planning
  • Bonus Planning
  • LTI (Long Term Incentives)
  • Compensation Worksheets
  • Guideline modeling
  • Budgeting (Top-down or Bottom-up)
  • Eligibility Rules
  • Proration

7. Recruiting Module

Recruiting Management

  • Job Requisition
  • Job Posting
  • Candidate Pipeline
  • Interview Central
  • Offer Management
  • Background checks

Recruiting Marketing

  • Career site (CSB)
  • Candidate experience
  • External/Internal postings

8. Onboarding

Onboarding 1.0 vs Onboarding 2.0

  • ONB 2.0 fully integrated with EC, MDF, RBP
  • Key objects: New Hire Data Review, Additional Panels, Tasks
  • Standard integrations with Recruitment & EC Hire

9. Learning Management System (LMS)

  • Items / Curricula
  • Programs (VILT, WBT, ILT)
  • Assignment Profiles
  • Learning history
  • Classroom scheduling
  • LMS connectors for data exchange
  • BIZX – Learning User Sync

10. Succession & Development

  • Succession Org Chart
  • Talent Pools
  • Nominations
  • Readiness Levels
  • Career Worksheet
  • Development Goals
  • Career Paths

11. Role-Based Permissions (RBP)

Permission Types

  1. General Permissions
  2. User Permissions
  3. Target Population
  4. Metadata Framework Permissions
  5. EC-specific Permissions

Target Population Types

  • All employees
  • Granted user’s department
  • Granted user’s reports (direct/indirect)
  • Dynamic groups

12. MDF (Metadata Framework)

Capabilities

  • Custom objects (GO/FO)
  • UI screens
  • Business Rules
  • Workflows
  • Picklists (Legacy & MDF-based)
  • Associations (One-to-One, One-to-Many)

Rule Types

  • Basic
  • Intelligent Services
  • Workflow
  • Save/Init Rules
  • OnChange Rules

13. Time Off / Time Sheet

Key Elements

  • Time Types
  • Time Accounts
  • Accrual Rules
  • Holiday Calendar
  • Work Schedule
  • Time Valuation (Timesheet)

14. Common Real-Time Scenarios

  1. EC hire process with workflows and business rules
  2. Position creation triggering Job Requisition via integration
  3. PM form lifecycle including Route Map configuration
  4. Compensation worksheet generation based on eligibility rules
  5. Time off accrual malfunction due to rule errors
  6. Integration failure between EC & Payroll via CPI
  7. LMS user sync mismatch due to connector timing

15. Most Asked SuccessFactors Interview Questions

  1. What is SAP SuccessFactors and how is it structured?
  2. Difference between MDF and XML-based models.
  3. What are Foundation Objects vs MDF Objects?
  4. How do you configure business rules in EC?
  5. What are Events & Event Reasons?
  6. Explain Position Management.
  7. Difference between OData API and SFAPI.
  8. What is Integration Center and when do you use it?
  9. Explain RBP and Target Population.
  10. What is a Workflow Derivation Rule?
  11. How to set up new hire data in Onboarding 2.0?
  12. Difference between PMGM & 360 Review.
  13. How does Calibration work?
  14. What is Compensation Cycle and how do budgets work?
  15. Explain Job Profile Builder (JPB).
  16. What are the differences between Recruiting Marketing & Recruiting Management?
  17. What is Succession Talent Pool?
  18. Explain EC Time Off configuration.
  19. What is Intelligent Services?
  20. How does Employee Central integrate with S/4HANA?
  21. What are MDF Picklists?
  22. What is People Profile (PP3)?
  23. Explain mass data imports and tools used.
  24. How do you troubleshoot workflows?
  25. Difference between ONB 1.0 and ONB 2.0.

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