The RISE with SAP competency framework has been enhanced to reflect to the evolving industry standards and expectations. The relevant expertise and skillset requirements for each competency level have been updated, and an additional role has been included in the list of eligible roles for the RISE with SAP individual competency. To ensure a smooth transition, partners who do not meet the new tier requirements as of the effective date will benefit from an extended safeguarding period of 180 days, doubling the standard 90-day duration. This one-time extension applies only to partners affected on the effective date; any partner subsequently triggering safeguarding for this competency will return to the standard 90-day period.
Further changes include an updated list of valid certifications required for each role and the introduction of a new validation process to maintain recognition as a RISE with SAP validated partner.
Partners must now fulfil pre-validation commitments as well as ongoing criteria, including the achievement of "Expert" status in competency frameworks across RISE with SAP, SAP BTP, and SAP Business Process Transformation. Additionally, partners are expected to have completed more than five RISE with SAP projects, each with an Annual Contract Value (ACV) greater than €550,000 within the past 24 months.
To further reinforce quality and methodology, the validated approach for RISE with SAP is being rolled out to all subsidiaries. Partners are required to support customers in executing Clean Core Success Plan Quality Gates in accordance with the SAP Activate methodology, leveraging SAP Cloud ALM. At least 80% of projects must have all Clean Core Quality Gates completed with a status of "Accepted" or "Conditionally Accepted." Continuous alignment with the RISE with SAP methodology, collaboration with key SAP roles (such as Onboarding Advisors and Enterprise Architects), and the adoption of the SAP Integrated Toolchain are now required standards.
In addition, certification expectations have been raised: 100% of professionals at the project level—including developers, project managers, enterprise architects, and process consultants—must be certified, while at least 50% certification is required at the practice level. Support Accreditation is also mandatory.
Here is a summary of the evolved requirements in 2025.
| Topic | 2025 ongoing requirements |
| Roll out validated methodology to all subsidiaries | - Show a proven rollout of their globally validated methodologies to all countries with active affiliates worldwide. •Every partner local entity committed to training the project teams on RISE with SAP Methodology and adapting their Statement of Work (SoW) to include the execution of clean core success plan activities and respective quality gate.
- Partners will present to SAP the necessary evidence from such a rollout execution every quarter.
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| Deliver Clean Core Success Plan and Quality Gates Completion for all phases of the project | - At least 80% of projects (total at partner group level) must have all clean core quality gates completed in SAP Cloud ALM tool.
- Project managers or delivery leads must participate in SAP-Embedded Launch Activities sessions and plan activities for clean core success plan execution, evaluating SAP recommendations and agree with the customer on required actions for deviations.
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| Continuous alignment with the RISE with SAP Methodology | Update methodology based on new releases and validation workshop follow-ups as per validation report. |
| Collaboration with SAP roles – Onboarding Advisors, Enterprise Architects, other | Close collaboration with SAP customer-facing roles from sales to onboarding and implementation, with an emphasis on collaboration with SAP Onboarding Advisors, Enterprise Architects, Customer Success Managers, and Partner Delivery Managers. |
| Adoption of SAP Integrated Toolchain | - Drive adoption of SAP integrated toolchain: SAP Cloud ALM, SAP LeanIX, SAP Signavio, SAP Business Technology Platform, and SAP Build;
- Make the best efforts to maintain all project team members' contacts and respective roles in SAP Cloud ALM under the defined project.
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| Certified professionals at the project level | - 100% certification rate by July 2025 for partner resources in the roles of Enterprise Architects, Developers, Business Transformation Management consultants, and Project Managers allocated to RISE with SAP customer projects.
- Additionally, at least 50% of all relevant SAP practitioners must hold one valid certification across the SAP solution portfolio by the end of 2025.
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| Support Accreditation | Partners must ensure all SAP practitioners are support-qualified by completing the Support Accreditation training and passing the assessment. |
| Certification Enforcement | If certification is missing, SAP reserves the right to remove the RISE with SAP Validated recognition from the partner group. |
| Value of having the RISE Validated status | Losing this recognition may cause Partner to be ineligible to participate in certain programs, initiatives or other activities that may require SAP Validated Partner recognition as a prerequisite. |
Framework on Validation & Alignment
In pursuit of achieving a 100% certification rate by July 2025, the comprehensive list of valid certifications has been thoroughly updated and released to partners. To complement this, a detailed process has been established to ensure partner methodology alignment and validation, specifically focused on the RISE with SAP Methodology. This validation process emphasizes key areas such as extensibility, data management, integration, business processes, and the effective use of the integrated toolchain.
The validation journey is structured into several phases, beginning with a kick-off meeting involving the partner’s main executives. During this session, the partner commits to the program’s Terms & Conditions, establishes their project team, and aligns on the plan for the upcoming validation workshop. In the preparation phase, SAP provides the partner with a validation questionnaire, which the partner completes and returns. SAP then analyzes the responses to identify crucial topics and areas requiring additional focus during the forthcoming workshop.
The next stage is an onsite, full-day workshop where SAP and the partner’s experts collaborate closely. This workshop involves a deep-dive into any unclear topics highlighted by the questionnaire, rigorous validation of the partner’s methodology, and an examination of supporting evidence. Any gaps identified in the partner’s methodology are documented for subsequent follow-up.
Following the workshop, the partner addresses the documented gaps and provides updates to SAP as issues are resolved. SAP reviews these outcomes and, if necessary, arranges further meetings to address any remaining concerns in greater depth. Once all gaps have been addressed and a rollout plan is finalized, the sign-off phase begins. SAP confirms the completion of all outstanding items and prepares a final report, after which the partner reaffirms their acceptance of the program’s Terms & Conditions to receive formal validation status.
To learn more about achieving the new RISE with SAP Validated Partner recognition, please refer to the information sheet. It provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements for attaining the recognition, along with the Terms & Conditions for maintaining your status. The updated document details the new requirements and criteria necessary to initially attain the RISE with SAP Validated Partners recognition. Additionally, it specifies the rules for maintaining this status, effective April 10.
The Customer Adoption Program for Partners
In line with our ongoing evolution, we have successfully defined the Customer Adoption Program for Partners.
The Customer Adoption Program for Partners safeguards our largest, Partner-delivered Cloud transformations through early alignment and continued collaboration with our RISE with SAP Validated Partners.
The formula for joint success:
In harmony with SAP’s strategic direction: Ensures that Partners leverage a RISE with SAP Methodology, adhere to Clean Core principles and have the necessary cloud skills and expertise.
Monitors portfolio for smooth cloud deployments: Runs regular checkpoints with the Partners to verify all projects in the program are running healthy and timely against milestones, to deliver a fast time to value.
Brings together teams at the account level: Sets a platform for collaboration between Customer, Partner & SAP teams at the account level, focused on driving one Outcome Success Plan and sorting barriers to success.
Fostering TRUE business transformation: Identify the levers, exclusive to a selected number of accounts, to steer the development into a TRUE business transformation.
This program is designed to align SAP with its partners, focusing on the Adoption phase of the Customer Value Journey. The success of the program hinges on global alignment and effective execution at the customer level.
Key elements of the program include:
Conducting deep dives into selected accounts
Connecting project resources and assets
Facilitating cloud expertise
Monitoring the health of the project portfolio
Together, our team and partners share a common goal: ensuring customer success and transformation within a Clean Core framework, in harmony with SAP's strategic direction. The program also emphasizes:
Smooth cloud deployments through diligent portfolio monitoring
Collaborative efforts at the account level
Fostering true business transformation
This initiative brings together expertise and resources, paving the way for impactful partnerships and customer success.
Our Partner Ecosystem
As we progress in our cloud transformation journey, our partner ecosystem plays a pivotal role in advancing SAP’s "AI-First and Suite-First" strategy. To maximize impact, we must deepen collaboration with partners throughout the entire Customer Value Journey and foster autonomy within our partner ecosystem.
With over 25,000 partners operating in around 140 countries, our ecosystem drives significant impact: 80% of new customers are acquired through partners, who implement approximately 90% of SAP’s projects globally. Additionally, more than 2,200 partner apps on the SAP Store enrich our Suite’s value proposition.
Our partner ecosystem serves as a growth engine across our four key partner motions, expanding reach, driving transformation, and empowering innovation to deliver even greater impact and value for customers.
The core values and principles of these partner motions remain steadfast, continuing to drive substantial impacts:
Resellers: Expanding reach through sales excellence and value-added services to enhance customer outcomes.
System Integrators & Service Partners: Facilitating end-to-end business transformation with solution delivery excellence, ensuring seamless integration and successful adoption.
Independent Software Vendors: Developing innovative solutions that extend and enhance core capabilities, creating new opportunities for customers to innovate and grow.
Technology Alliances: Integrating technology fabric and exploring new routes to market, enabling customers to leverage cutting-edge solutions and platforms for success.
With our refreshed strategy, our partner ecosystem is more crucial than ever. Partners amplify our go-to-market efforts, scale business transformation with the SAP Business Suite, and drive cloud adoption to help customers achieve their transformation goals.
Furthermore, partners play a fundamental role in delivering state-of-the-art innovations with SAP Business AI, SAP Business Data Cloud, and SAP Business Technology Platform, utilizing their expertise to accelerate customer innovation and industry leadership.
Here’s a sneak peek at the partner qualification framework for those implementing RISE with SAP.
Successful Partner RISE implementations: Two Approaches - Focused on Volume and Value
Here’s a checklist for delivering value in every new RISE with SAP project:
Align with SAP: Coordinate the Adoption Plan and Transformation Roadmap with SAP.
Assign Key Roles: Ensure key project roles are designated within SAP Cloud ALM.
Certify Professionals: Make sure all team members hold the relevant SAP Certifications.
Plan and Execute Tasks: Set up and carry out necessary tasks, such as creating a Clean Core Runbook in SAP Cloud ALM.
Ensure Quality Compliance: Work with the customer to execute all relevant clean core quality gates and submit responses in SAP Cloud ALM.
Adhere to Recommendations: Evaluate SAP's suggestions for compliance with clean core principles.
Address Deviations: Agree with your customer on any deviations that need to be resolved.
Update Project Plans: Incorporate new activities into the project plan/Runbook in SAP Cloud ALM.
Visualize Progress: Ensure the project is visible in SAP for Me, under the Customer Success tab - Projects.
Further Resources to support you
SAP is here to support your journey. With over 90 certifications available for key roles and topic areas, you can achieve validated partner status. Validate your intermediate or advanced skills with product- or role-based certifications; these exams are proctored and typically take 2-3 hours.
To maintain your certification, you can complete the annual assessment to stay updated on the latest innovations.
For more information on the learning programs and the RISE with SAP enablement portfolio, please refer to-
