Navigation is a fundamental aspect of any user interface, and SAP Fiori Apps are no exception. To ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience, SAP Fiori follows specific navigation patterns that guide how users move between screens, access information, and complete tasks efficiently. Understanding these navigation patterns is essential for designing consistent and user-friendly SAP Fiori applications that align with the SAP Fiori Design Guidelines.
SAP Fiori Navigation Patterns define standardized ways users traverse the app landscape. They help maintain a clear, predictable flow that minimizes cognitive load and enhances productivity. These patterns dictate how screens relate to each other, how users drill down into details, and how they switch between related information.
SAP has identified several key navigation patterns commonly used in Fiori Apps:
Let’s explore these patterns in detail.
Intent-based navigation leverages the concept of user intents or actions. Instead of navigating through rigid menus, users initiate an intent — such as “Create Purchase Order” or “Approve Request” — and the system routes them to the relevant app or screen.
This pattern promotes:
This navigation often uses URLs or semantic objects to represent business entities or actions.
The master-detail pattern is one of the most widely used navigation paradigms in SAP Fiori. It consists of two panes:
This pattern allows users to quickly scan through many items and drill down into specifics without losing context. It is highly effective on larger screens and adapts well for tablets and desktops, where both panes can be shown side-by-side.
Step-based navigation guides users through a sequence of screens or steps to complete a complex process, such as configuring a product or submitting a multi-part form.
Key characteristics include:
This pattern ensures that users complete necessary tasks in a logical order and reduces errors.
Dynamic page navigation adapts the screen content based on user actions or context. It allows navigation within a single page, where content panels, tabs, or sections update dynamically without full page reloads.
This pattern is ideal for dashboards or complex fact sheets where users need to explore multiple aspects of data quickly.
Mastering SAP Fiori navigation patterns is critical for building effective and user-friendly SAP applications. These patterns ensure that users can move through workflows effortlessly while maintaining context and focus. By adhering to the SAP Fiori Design Guidelines on navigation, developers and designers can deliver consistent, efficient, and delightful user experiences across the SAP landscape.