SAP Ariba Interview Roadmap

1️⃣ Understand SAP Ariba Landscape (Must-Know)

Interviewers almost always start here.

Learn:

  • What is SAP Ariba & where it fits in SAP S/4HANA
  • Upstream vs Downstream
    • Upstream:
      • Ariba Sourcing
      • Ariba Contracts
    • Downstream:
      • Ariba Buying & Invoicing
      • Ariba Guided Buying
  • Ariba Network (AN) – buyer & supplier collaboration
  • Difference between Ariba vs SAP MM

Common questions

  • Why companies move from SAP MM to Ariba?
  • Ariba Buying vs Guided Buying?

2️⃣ Core Ariba Modules – Deep Dive

You must be strong in at least Buying & Invoicing + Guided Buying.

🔹 Ariba Buying & Invoicing

  • Requisition → Approval → PO → GR → Invoice → Payment
  • Catalog vs Non-Catalog items
  • Spot Buy
  • Tax configuration basics
  • 2-way vs 3-way matching

🔹 Guided Buying

  • Purpose & benefits
  • Tiles, forms, and policies
  • Integration with Buying
  • Common errors users face

Interview focus

  • Explain PR to Invoice lifecycle
  • How approval flows work
  • How taxes are determined

3️⃣ Ariba Sourcing & Contracts (Important)

Even if you didn’t work much on these, know the basics.

🔹 Sourcing

  • RFx, Auctions
  • Award scenarios
  • Templates & rules

🔹 Contracts

  • Contract Workspace
  • Clause library
  • Contract compliance
  • Contract → PO flow

4️⃣ Integration Knowledge (VERY IMPORTANT)

This is where many candidates fail.

🔹 Integration Types

  • CIG (Cloud Integration Gateway) – most common
  • Direct connectivity
  • Flat file vs Web services

🔹 Master Data

  • Vendor master
  • Material master
  • GL accounts
  • Cost centers

🔹 Transaction Data

  • Requisition
  • PO
  • Invoice
  • Status updates

Interview questions

  • What is CIG?
  • How does PO flow from S/4 to Ariba?
  • What happens if invoice fails in ERP?

5️⃣ Configuration & Administration

Be ready with real examples.

Topics

  • Approval rules
  • Accounting rules
  • Purchasing policies
  • User roles & permissions
  • Catalog configuration

Scenario-based questions

  • How will you restrict non-catalog buying?
  • How do you route approval based on amount or cost center?

6️⃣ Supplier Enablement & Ariba Network

Very commonly asked.

Know:

  • Supplier onboarding steps
  • Standard vs Enterprise suppliers
  • AN registration issues
  • Invoice submission methods

Typical questions

  • How do you onboard a supplier?
  • What if supplier can’t see PO?

7️⃣ Reporting & Troubleshooting

Interviewers love problem-solving answers.

Reporting

  • Prepackaged reports
  • Custom reports
  • Spend visibility

Troubleshooting examples

  • PR stuck in approval
  • PO not transmitted
  • Invoice rejected
  • Tax mismatch

8️⃣ Real Project & Behavioral Questions

Prepare STAR method answers.

Examples

  • Biggest Ariba challenge you handled
  • Integration issue & resolution
  • Go-live experience
  • User training & UAT handling

9️⃣ Mock Interview Questions (Practice These)

  • Explain Ariba end-to-end process
  • Difference between Catalog & Non-Catalog
  • How Guided Buying improves compliance
  • How Ariba integrates with SAP S/4HANA
  • Common Ariba production issues

🔟 Last-Week Preparation Plan

Day 1–2: Ariba basics + Buying & Invoicing
Day 3: Guided Buying + Approvals
Day 4: Integration + CIG
Day 5: Sourcing + Contracts
Day 6: Supplier Enablement + Troubleshooting
Day 7: Mock interviews & scenarios

🎯 Pro Interview Tip

Always answer like this:

Business scenario → Ariba solution → Technical flow

Coming up with more Ariba Interview Prep Content. Do follow up for more.