Guided configuration follows the principle of a system driven implementation.
What is a “system-driven” implementation?
"We want to radically simplify the implementation of SAP S/4HANA so that customers enjoy rapid success and payback. This is particularly relevant in the cloud, of course, where customers expect to deploy a pre-configured system. SAP therefore provides “guided configuration.” This means that customers no longer define parameters in tables in the way that they are used to doing in ERP systems." Source: http://www.news-sap.com/what-is-sap-s4hana-13-questions-answered/
In General: The system will provide be easy-to-use, web-based activities to personalize the pre-configured system, e.g. to maintain the organizational structure, the chart of accounts, or approval thresholds.
How does Guided Configuration relates to SAP Activate?
SAP Activate is build on Guided Configuration and SAP Best Practice bundled in a methodology to simplify S/4HANA deployments:
SAP Activate: What's the story behind the SAP Best Practices optimized for S/4HANA?
SAP Activate methodology JAM space - we are open, come in
Overview provided in TechEd Bangalore 2015 keynote:
Live Demo of SAP S/4 HANA Guided Configuration - YouTube
1. New entry screen for IMG
2. Fiori front-end for configuration
3. Create customer configuration project
4. Guided Configuration: Start configuration
5. Select configuration task
6. Apply configuration settings
7. Test configuration settings
8. Execute test and review test results
