11.3    SAP Business Workflow

SAP Business Workflow facilitates business processes. A workflow controls the flow of documents that are usually processed by several people and must be handled in a specific sequence. A workflow can include release or approval procedures but also complex processes, such as the creation of a master record that involves multiple departments. Workflows can also be started automatically when predefined events occur (e.g., when an error is detected in a process).

Usage Options of SAP Business Workflow

A team lead assigns a task (creating a master record) to an employee. When the employee accepts the task with a workflow object, the team lead can track the processing status via the Business Workplace.

The Business Workplace provides an overview of all the activities that you have to carry out for the workflow. You can perform your tasks from the Business Workplace. Figure 11.4 shows three screen areas that are used when workflows are processed.

At the top right in the Business Workplace, you can see the worklist. At the bottom right, the preview displays a work item (an object that represents a task or an action of the workflow) that is selected in the worklist.

Figure 11.4    Workflow in the Business Workplace