Creating Sequences Using Business Rules in SAP SuccessFactors: Chapter 26

setPositionExternalCode, setDepartmentExternalCode and setJobExternalCode

In SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central, creating sequences using business rules allows you to automate the assignment of key attributes such as position, department, and job codes to employees or other entities based on specific criteria. The methods setPositionExternalCode, setDepartmentExternalCode and setJobExternalCode are used within business rules to set these values programmatically.

Key Concepts:

• Business Rules: These are logical conditions or actions that are automatically executed when certain criteria are met in Employee Central.
• External Codes: In SuccessFactors, every foundational object (such as Position, Department, and Job) has a unique external code that identifies it.
• Sequences: Business rules can be executed in a particular order (sequence) to ensure that values are set in the correct order during operations like employee hiring or position changes.

Methods Overview:

1. `setPositionExternalCode`:

• Purpose: Sets the external code for the position in an entity, such as an employee or a position management object.
• Use Case: Automatically assign a position to an employee based on criteria such as their job title, department, or other attributes.

2. `setDepartmentExternalCode`:

• Purpose: Sets the external code for the department in an entity.
• Use Case: Automatically assign a department to an employee or position based on specific rules or conditions.

3. `setJobExternalCode`:

• Purpose: Sets the external code for the job in an entity.
• Use Case: Assigns a job code to an employee or a position based on predefined rules.

Steps to Create a Sequence Using Business Rules:

1. Navigate to Manage Business Configuration:

• Go to Admin Center.
• Search for Manage Business Configuration.

2. Create a New Business Rule:

• Go to Configure Business Rules.
• Click on Create New Rule and select the relevant base object (e.g., Employee Information, Position Management, etc.).
• Provide a Name and Description for the rule.

3. Define the Conditions:

• In the If section, define the conditions under which the business rule should trigger.
• Conditions could include checks on the employee’s existing job title, department, location, or any other relevant attribute.

4. Set the Position External Code:

• In the Then section, use setPositionExternalCode to define the position to be assigned.

Syntax Example:

• Replace "PositionExternalCodeValue" with the actual external code or a dynamic value based on your conditions.

5. Set the Department External Code:

• Similarly, use setDepartmentExternalCode to assign a department.

Syntax Example:

• Replace "DepartmentExternalCodeValue" with the appropriate code.

6. Set the Job External Code:

• Finally, use setJobExternalCode to assign the job code.

Syntax Example:

• Replace "JobExternalCodeValue" with the relevant code or logic.

7. Arrange the Sequence:

• Ensure that the rules are executed in the correct sequence:
• Position is usually set first as it might influence department and job assignments.
• Department could be set next, followed by the job code.
• This sequence ensures that dependencies between these objects are respected.

8. Assign the Rule to a Trigger Event:

• Assign the business rule to a trigger event, such as onSave, onChange, or onInit of a particular employee or position object.

9. Test the Business Rule:

• Before deploying, test the rule in a Sandbox Environment to ensure that the sequence works as expected.

10. Deploy to Production:

• Once validated, deploy the business rule to the Production Environment.

Best Practices:

• Testing: Thoroughly test the business rule in various scenarios to ensure it behaves as expected.
• Documentation: Document the purpose, conditions, and actions of the business rule for future reference.
• Version Control: Maintain versions of your business rules, especially when making updates, so you can revert if necessary.

Troubleshooting:

• Incorrect Sequence Execution: If the rule does not execute in the correct order, review the conditions and ensure they are logically sound and properly ordered.
• Dependencies: Ensure that position, department, and job codes are configured correctly and that their relationships are respected in the sequence.

Using setPositionExternalCode, setDepartmentExternalCode and setJobExternalCode in business rules provides a powerful way to automate and control the assignment of key organizational attributes within SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central. Proper configuration and sequencing of these rules are critical to ensuring that your HR processes function smoothly and accurately.

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