Overview
SAP has defined naming conventions for the most common core actions that are used across all applications and lines of business. By standardizing the main action names, we avoid ambiguity and ensure a consistent user experience.
Product Names
The names we choose must be a clear, approachable articulation of what we offer. This helps our audiences understand exactly how SAP can meet their needs. We use a descriptive approach with the naming of our products and services as subsets of the umbrella SAP brand (masterbrand). In addition, we make sure that the naming of any program, initiative, event, campaign, organization, or special project supports our brand promise and purpose.
Our official naming process is managed through the Naming Center to ensure that we approve the best name possible. See Naming Guidelines for guidance on the process you need to follow for choosing product names and names for new tools or components.
Feature Terms
Accurate, meaningful terms make it easy for our end-users to interact successfully with our software, making the right choices and taking action quickly. Terms also position our product in the market.
User Assistance designers in our Design team work on clarifying and harmonizing terms and their definitions across product components, in collaboration with product experts and UX Designers. Terms and definitions are then stored in SAP Term to ensure consistent translation.
See the full set of terms currently used in:
Verbs for Common Actions
Action verbs are used in three main aspects of the UI:
- as triggers (often on buttons) (e.g., Add, Delete)
- as dialog titles (e.g., Create New Item)
- as positive and negative finalizing actions (e.g., Approve, Close)
We apply the principle of controlled vocabulary to name actions in all SAP products. Controlled vocabulary is simply a list of words or terms recommended for a specific purpose. Using words for actions in a standard way across products makes the end-to-end user experience consistent for user workflows that embrace multiple products. Using controlled vocabularly also facilitates the usage of AI and chatbots, because terms are standardized and their usage is harmonized.
To see what words you should use for actions, refer to the Terminology for Common Actions.
Resources
In
- More about cultural terms: Geographic Names
- More about gender terms: Names, Other Data, and How to Introduct Them
Support
If you have any questions or feedback about this page, please contact our team. For further information and questions in regards to the Design System, please visit the DNA Design SharePoint.