Learning Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) can be a rewarding journey, especially for those looking to delve into web content management and digital experiences. Below is a topic-wise roadmap designed for beginners, which progressively builds up your knowledge and skills in AEM.

1. Introduction to AEM

• What is AEM?

• Overview of AEM Capabilities

• Understanding Content Management Systems (CMS)

2. AEM Architecture

• AEM Architecture Overview

• Understanding CRX and Apache Jackrabbit

• Introduction to Apache Sling

• Understanding OSGi and Apache Felix

3. AEM Environment Setup

• Installing AEM (Local Author and Publish Instances)

• Introduction to AEM Tools: CRXDE Lite, AEM Developer Tools for Eclipse

4. Basic Authoring in AEM

• Introduction to AEM Authoring

• Creating and Managing Pages

• Using the AEM WYSIWYG Editor

• Basic Concepts: Templates, Components, and Page Properties

5. AEM Content Structure

• Understanding the JCR (Java Content Repository)

• Working with Nodes and Properties

• Understanding AEM Project Structure

6. Components Development

• Introduction to AEM Components

• Creating a Simple Component

• Understanding HTL (HTML Template Language/Sightly)

• Basic Sling Models for Data Injection

7. Templates and Page Creation

• Creating Editable Templates

• Static vs. Editable Templates

• Defining Page Structure and Content Policies

8. Client-Side Development

• Understanding Client Libraries (clientlibs)

• Adding CSS and JavaScript to Components

• Using AEM Grids and Responsive Layouts

9. Advanced Component Development

• Developing Complex Components

• Using Sling Models Annotations

• Integrating with External APIs

• Working with Dialogs and Design Dialogs

10. Content Fragment and Experience Fragments

• Creating and Using Content Fragments

• Creating and Using Experience Fragments

11. Workflows and Launches

• Introduction to AEM Workflows

• Creating and Managing Custom Workflows

• Understanding Launches for Versioning

12. AEM Forms and Customization

• Building Forms in AEM

• Handling Form Submissions

• Customizing AEM Forms

13. AEM Frontend Development

• Introduction to AEM SPA Editor

• Building SPAs with React/Vue.js in AEM

• Integrating AEM with Frontend Frameworks

14. Versioning, Deployment, and Maintenance

• Understanding AEM Packages

• Creating and Deploying AEM Packages

• Basic AEM Maintenance and Troubleshooting

15. Security and Permissions

• Managing Users and Groups

• Setting Permissions and Access Controls

• Security Best Practices in AEM

16. Search and Personalization

• Configuring and Customizing AEM Search

• Introduction to AEM Personalization

• Using ContextHub and Targeting

17. AEM Integrations

• Integrating AEM with Adobe Marketing Cloud

• Integrating AEM with Third-party Services (Analytics, E-commerce, etc.)

18. Advanced Topics and Best Practices

• Performance Tuning and Optimization

• AEM Content as a Service (CaaS)

• Best Practices in AEM Development

19. Learning Resources

• Adobe Experience League

• AEM Documentation

• AEM Community and Forums

• Online Courses and Tutorials

• Hands-on Projects and Practice

Conclusion

By following this roadmap, you’ll build a strong foundation in AEM and progressively advance to more complex topics. Regularly practicing and applying your knowledge through real-world projects will greatly enhance your learning experience.