SAP Workflow Course

Section 5A-01: Workflow Architecture

November, 2001

Workflow Architecture

Contents: Task Workflow

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Workflow Architecture: Unit Objectives

At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to:

Define terminology related to the workflow architectural environment

Identify key components that make up the workflow environment and Identify the relationships between components of the workflow runtime environment Display template and underlying structure

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Workflow Architecture: Business Scenario

A prototype workflow template created for new requirements

You want to enhance the templates function

Lets explore the complexity of the workflow architecture

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Workflow System Components

Definition time
Process design and definition

Analysis, modeling & definition tools

Runtime
Launch instances, control process

Workflow definition Workflow Manager

Runtime
Interaction with users and application tools
Business Workplace Work item Manager

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Task/Workflow Definition 1

process invoice release invoice

calculate travel expenses

Who?
Task

What?
process correspondence

release absence form

When?
check leave entitlement

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Task/Workflow Definition 2

Tasks
object method or manual activity

Task (TS)

Time-independent and client-independent Workflow workflow definition

Workflow (WS)

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Task: Examples

Release document

Change material master

Check work plan

Run report

Post invoice

Approve absence

Call customer

Who? What?

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Tasks
Task Object type with object method

What will be executed by the task?

Who will be responsible for the task ?

Organizational plan

Properties

Texts

work item text: title of work item in worklist task description notification text deadline text desired end text latest start text

Event s

terminating events

triggering events Only if the task is not used in a workflow

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Object Methods and Single-Step Tasks

Object type
create object method edit object method display object method Ex invoice doc. order material arch. Doc.

Task

Reference

to object

method

Objects are the encapsulation of behavior for performing defined business tasks Methods are the allowed functions of an object

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Definition of Responsibility

task Possible Agent List: All users who have the possibility to execute the task

Sales managers

Sales Group

Credit Analysts

The responsible agents are identified within the workflow. Recipients of the work item will be identified at runtime.
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture
10

Work Item Text

A description of the work item in the worklist Substitution of variables with runtime values

_WI_Object_Id _WI_Actual_Agent ...

_WI_Object_Id.Number

Work item text Display absence notification no. &_WI_OBJECT_ID.NUMBER&

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

11

Tasks: Other Texts

General description, notes on operation, information on environment, etc. Task description Text for completion Text for missed deadline Insert variables (including indirectly via object reference)

Example :
Employee &_WI_Object_ID.CreatedBy& created a notification of absence under the number &_WI_Object_ID.Number& on &_WI_Object_ID.CreateDate&. Please decide whether to approve.

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

12

Workflows
Workflow template

Reference to workflow definition

Specification of triggering events Definition of interface (import and export parameters) Initial value assignment

Entry point to view or modify the workflow definition via the Workflow Builder

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

13

Workflow Definition: Steps

Workflow template Workflow definition Step
Activity (task reference)

Reference to workflow definition

Specification of triggering events Definition of interface (import and export parameters as elements of workflow container) Initial value assignment

Document generation User decision Condition Multiple condition Event creator Wait step Process control Container operation Loop (until) Loop (while) Fork

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

14

Demo Example: Workflow Definition

Submit notification of absence

Notification of absence created Approve notification of absence rejected Revise notification of absence? Send mail yes Revise notification No of absence cenceled Resubmit for approval? Terminate workflow Workflow terminated
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture
15

approved

sent

revised

No

Workflow Definition: Workflow Builder

Workflow Builder:
workflow definition object overview

Block-oriented modeling Top-down modeling is possible Special functions such as cut, paste, move, copy Print: local / R/3 spool / file

task step types

messages

Checking and activating

Drag n Drop functionality
16

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Workflow Definition: Basic Concepts

triggering event

Workflow
Organizational management

workflow definition

tasks
Organizational management

terminating event

Triggering events control the initial start of the workflow in addition to the termination and calling of subsequent tasks in the workflow Each Task defined under the workflow will execute in the arranged sequence defined via the workflow definition

object types
methods

SAP functionality SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

Desktop application

External applications
17

Workflow Definition and Runtime Environment

triggering event
Workflow-Template

Start WF

Event

Org. plan

Workflow Workflow definition terminating Workflow manager event TASK Work item Work item manager
Object type

Inbox Process

Org. plan
display Determining agents Deadline monitoring Workflow log

Method

Execution of an object method

Database

SAP R/3 Functions

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture
18

Workflow Architecture: Unit Summary

Workflow System Components Provides tools for the development of workflow definitions Runtime System manages the execution and required resources for workflow instance Tasks

Workflow definitions are comprised of tasks and triggering events

Objects The encapsulation of software for performing defined business tasks

SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture

19