The SAP® reference model is represented using EPCs. These EPCs illustrate the business processes at different levels of detail. In the EPCs with the highest level of detail, which the SAP® terminology refers to as processes, procedures of processing executables in the SAP® system are modeled. These processes can be assigned both roles and executables.

In ARIS, this is done in the function allocation diagram where the EPC containing the modeled process must be assigned to the corresponding function definition. Thus, the function allocation diagram shows which roles are necessary to run the executables. However, since there are no direct relationships between roles and executables, no decision can be made as to which executable a role is responsible for if there are multiple roles. For this reason, the assignment of roles to executables takes place in the role assignment diagram (RAD). One role is displayed per column. Executables are placed in columns, which creates implicit relationships.

The information can be used during R/3 implementation to create the necessary user profiles and authorization concepts for operating the SAP® system.