of 20
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
1/20
SAP Workflow Course
Section 5A-01: Workflow ArchitectureNovember, 2001
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
2/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 1
Workflow Architecture
Contents:
Task
Workflow
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
3/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 2
Workflow Architecture: Unit Objectives
At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to:
Define terminology related to the workflow architecturalenvironment
Identify key components that make up the workflowenvironment and
Identify the relationships between components of the workflowruntime environment
Display template and underlying structure
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
4/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 3
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
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
5/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 4
Workflow System Components
Definition time
Process design
and definition
Workflow Manager
Runtime
Launch instances,
control process
Runtime
Interaction with users
and application tools
Analysis,modeling & definition tools
Workflow
definition
Business Workplace
Work item Manager
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
6/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 5
Task/Workflow Definition 1
calculate
travel expenses
process
correspondence
check leave entitlement
release invoice
release absence form
process invoice
What?
Who?
When?
Task
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
7/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 6
Task/Workflow Definition 2
Tasks
object method ormanual activity
Workflow (WS)
Task (TS)
Workflow
workflow definition
Time-independent and
client-independent
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
8/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 7
Task: Examples
Post invoice
Release document Change material master
Check work plan Run report
Approve absence
Call customer Who? What?
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
9/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 8
Tasks
Object type withobject method
Task
Properties
Who will beresponsible forthe task ?
What will beexecuted bythe task?
work item text: title of workitem in worklist
task description
notification text
deadline text
desired end text
latest start text
Texts
terminating events
triggering eventsOnly if the task is not usedin a workflow
Events
Organizationalplan
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
10/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 9
Object Methods and Single-Step Tasks
Object type
Ex invoice doc.order
material
arch. Doc.
create
object method
editobject method
display
object method
Reference to objectmethod
Objects are the encapsulation of behavior
for performing defined business tasks
Methods are the allowed functions of anobject
Task
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
11/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 10
Definition of Responsibility
The responsible agents are identified within the
workflow. Recipients of the work item will be identified at
runtime.
Possible Agent List:
All users who have
the possibility to
execute the task
Credit
Analysts
Sales Group
Sales managerstask
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
12/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 11
Work Item Text
A description of the work item in the worklist
Substitution of variables with runtime values
_WI_Object_Id
_WI_Actual_Agent...
Work item text Display absence notification no. &_WI_OBJECT_ID.NUMBER&
_WI_Object_Id.Number
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
13/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 12
Tasks: Other Texts
General description, notes on operation, information onenvironment, etc.
Task description
Text for completion
Text for missed deadline
Insert variables (including indirectly via object reference)
Example :
Employee &_WI_Object_ID.CreatedBy& created anotification of absence under the number&_WI_Object_ID.Number& on &_WI_Object_ID.CreateDate&.
Please decide whether to approve.
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
14/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 13
Workflows
Workflow template
Reference toworkflow definition
Specification oftriggering events
Definition ofinterface(import and exportparameters)
Initial valueassignment
Entry point to view or modify
the workflow definition via the
Workflow Builder
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
15/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 14
Workflow Definition: Steps
Workflow definition Step
Document generation
User decision
Condition Multiple condition
Event creator
Wait step
Process control
Container operation
Loop (until)
Loop (while)
Fork
Workflow template
Reference toworkflow definition
Specification oftriggering events
Definition ofinterface(import and exportparameters aselements ofworkflow container)
Initial valueassignment
Activity (task reference)
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
16/20SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 15
Demo Example: Workflow Definition
Submit notification of absence
Notification ofabsence created
Approve notification
of absence
approved
Send mail
sent
Resubmit forapproval?No
Terminate
workflow
Workflow
terminated
rejected
Revise notificationof absence?
No
cenceled
yes Revise notification
of absence
revised
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
17/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 16
Workflow Definition: Workflow Builder
Block-oriented
modeling
Top-down modeling
is possible
Special functionssuch as cut, paste,
move, copy
Print: local / R/3
spool / file
Checking and
activating
Drag n Drop
functionality
Workflow Builder:
overview
workflow definition
step types
messages
task
object
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
18/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 17
Workflow Definition: Basic Concepts
Desktop
applicationSAP
functionality
External
applications
Organizational
management
terminating
event
triggering
event
Organizational
management
Workflow
workflow definition
tasks
object types
methods
Triggering events
control the initial startof 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
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
19/20
7/29/2019 05A_01WorkflowArchitecture
20/20
SAP Workflow Course Section 02: Workflow Architecture 19
Workflow Architecture: Unit Summary
Workflow System Components
Provides tools for the development of workflow definitions
Runtime System manages the execution and requiredresources for workflow instance
Tasks
Workflow definitions are comprised of tasks and triggeringevents
Objects
The encapsulation of software for performing defined businesstasks