05 a 01workflowarchitecture
TRANSCRIPT
SAP Workflow Course
Section 5A-01: Workflow Architecture November, 2001
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 2
Workflow Architecture
Contents:
• Task
• Workflow
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 3
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 4
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 5
Workflow System Components
Definition time
Process designand definition
Workflow Manager
Runtime
Launch instances,control process
Runtime
Interaction with users and application tools
Analysis,modeling & definition tools
Workflowdefinition
Business WorkplaceBusiness WorkplaceWork item ManagerWork item Manager
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 6
Task/Workflow Definition 1
calculate travel expenses
calculate travel expenses
processcorrespondence
processcorrespondence
check leave entitlementcheck leave entitlement
release invoicerelease invoice
release absence formrelease absence form
process invoiceprocess invoice
What?What?
Who?Who?
When?When?
TaskTask
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 7
Task/Workflow Definition 2
TasksTasksobject method or manual activity
TasksTasksobject method or manual activity
Workflow (WS)Workflow (WS)Workflow (WS)Workflow (WS)
Task (TS)Task (TS)Task (TS)Task (TS)
Workflow
workflow definition
Workflow
workflow definition
Time-independent and client-independent
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 8
Task: Examples
Post invoice
Release document Change material masterChange material master
Check work planCheck work plan
Run reportRun report
Approve absenceApprove absence
Call customerCall customer
…Who? What?…Who? What?
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 9
Tasks
Object type withobject methodObject type withobject method
Task
Properties
• Who will be responsible for the task ?
• What will be executed bythe task?
• work item text: title of work item in worklist
• task description• notification text• deadline text• desired end text• latest start text
Texts
• terminating events
• triggering events Only if the task is not used in a workflow
Events
Organizational planOrganizational plan
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 10
Object Methods and Single-Step Tasks
Object type
Ex invoice doc.
order
material
arch. Doc.
create
object method
edit
object methoddisplay
object method
Reference to object method
• Objects are the encapsulation of behavior for performing defined business tasks
• Methods are the allowed functions of an object
Task
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 11
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
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 12
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_WI_Object_Id.Number
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 13
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 14
Workflows
Workflow template 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 15
Workflow Definition: Steps
Workflow definitionWorkflow definition StepStep
• Document generation• User decision• Condition• Multiple condition• Event creator• Wait step• Process control• Container operation• Loop (until)• Loop (while)• Fork
Workflow templateWorkflow template
• Reference to workflow definition
• Specification of triggering events
• Definition of interface
(import and export parameters as
elements of workflow container)
• Initial value assignment
Activity (task reference)
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 16
Demo Example: Workflow DefinitionSubmit notification of absenceSubmit notification of absence
Notification ofabsence created
Approve notificationof absence
approved
Send mail
sent
Resubmit forapproval?No
Terminateworkflow
Workflowterminated
rejected
Revise notificationof absence?
No
cenceled
yes Revise notificationof absence
revised
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 17
Workflow Definition: Workflow Builder
• Block-oriented modeling
• Top-down modeling is possible
• Special functions such 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
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 18
Workflow Definition: Basic Concepts
Desktopapplication SAP
functionality
Externalapplications
Organizationalmanagement
terminatingevent
triggeringevent
Organizationalmanagement
Workflow
workflow definition
tasks
object typesmethods
• 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
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 19
InboxProcess
display
Workflow Definition and Runtime Environment
Workflow-Template
Object type
SAP R/3 Functions
MethodMethodMethodMethod
Workflow Workflow definitiondefinition
Workflow Workflow definitiondefinition
TASKTASKTASKTASK Work itemWork itemWork itemWork itemOrg. plan
WorkflowWorkflowWorkflowWorkflow
Workflow manager
Execution of anExecution of anobject method object method
Execution of anExecution of anobject method object method
Event
Determiningagents
Deadline monitoring
Workflow log
Start WF
Org. plan
Work item manager
DatabaseDatabase
triggeringevent
terminatingevent
SAP Workflow Course – Section 02: Workflow Architecture 20
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