PPM Process Package
Guides
Workflow General Functional Overview

Workflow General Functional Overview

General Information

A workflow is a structured sequence of tasks that controls and automates business processes for PPP objects (such as projects or decision points).

Overview

  • Implementation of Flexible Workflow within SAP Portfolio and Project Management (PPM).
  • Enables automated approval and process orchestration.
  • Fully configurable to meet customer-specific business requirements.
  • Reduces manual intervention and improves governance.

A workflow itself does not move a PPP object from one stage to another. Instead, it:

  • Triggers background tasks (implemented using ABAP code)
  • Processes these tasks using the WF-BATCH technical user
  • Executes logic that can update statuses, trigger follow-up actions, or perform other system changes

For example:

  • An object reaches a decision point.
  • A workflow is triggered based on predefined conditions.
  • It requires approval from one or more stakeholders.
  • Each stakeholder (called an agent) can approve, reject, or take another defined action.
  • Based on the decision, background processing (ABAP logic) updates the object status or executes further actions.

In PPP:

  • Agents can be Users or Business Partners (BP).
  • You define how many approval levels are required.
  • You control what happens after each decision.
  • Background logic can update object statuses (across the 8 PPM object types) or execute custom functionality.
  • Approval determination logic is configured in BRF+.
  • Technical status updates and background processing are handled via workflow tasks and ABAP logic executed by WF-BATCH.

This guide explains how you can set up and customize the PPP workflow using BRF+ configuration, while understanding how background processing works technically.

Final Result

  • Workflows start automatically based on defined conditions.
  • Approvals follow structured sequences.
  • Users receive clear tasks in their inbox.
  • Status changes and follow-up actions are executed via background processing.
  • Errors are routed safely to administrators.
  • Background actions run automatically via WF-BATCH.
  • Reminders and escalations work without manual intervention.