Question Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow in Technology Q&A

Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

johnsonjos16 — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 18:51:05 GMT

We were trying to develop a prototype for one of our use cases and came across a scenario, where an approval request has to be sent to multiple department heads at the same time and all of them needs to approve the request in order to proceed further. We tried the branch option, but if we create a branch then we can't create an Approval form on the branch.

Can someone please advise on what should be the best possible approach in this scenario?

Regards

Johnson

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

Dan_Wroblewski — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 09:37:34 GMT

I'm really still a novice but you could create not approval forms but regular forms with a checkbox for each and have them all be triggered immediately (branch) after the process is triggered. When everyone has submitted an answer, you can use the condition to test if all have been approved and then do whatever you want -- like send diferent emails or different forms based on whether every approved or not.

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

johnsonjos16 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 02:49:47 GMT

Hi Daniel,

I understand that currently Process Automation has a limitation with parallel approval tasks. I tried your approach as a work around, but then the issue is the workflow gets stuck at the step before the branch. In my case, the branching happens after an If condition and whenever the condition is true, the flow never reaches the form inside branches.

To verify I moved the task out of the branch and then the flow was able to execute the form without any issues. In your case, were you able to deliver the tasks to the inbox of your branch form recipients?

When the form was created as below, flow reached the form recipient.

Can you please suggest if I am doing something wrong over here.

Regards

Johnson

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

johnsonjos16 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 02:58:13 GMT

Task getting stuck when the form is inside branch

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

Dan_Wroblewski — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:04:40 GMT

Yes, bizarre. But instead of putting the branch as one of the outputs of the condition, I put an extra activity -- like mail -- and then after that I put the branch. Then the branch was triggered and all was fine. Not sure why this is the behavior or if we did something wrong.

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

johnsonjos16 — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:48:11 GMT

Thanks Daniel. I can't have such a step in my use case. But I had a connect with the Process Automation team at SAP and they have confirmed that they are trying to introduce Parallel Approval flows and Approval forms on branches by November 15. Looking forward to that and appreciate your help.

Regards

Johnson

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

Archana — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 13:22:16 GMT

Hello Jonhson,

Parallel branch for Approval Form is now available. You can achieve your use case. Just be mindful that each parallel split will have a parallel merge and until all the user tasks in the parallel branch are finished the workflow will not progress.

Re: Parallel Approval steps in SAP Process Automation Workflow

johnsonjos16 — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 21:04:23 GMT

Hi Archana,

We already got an update from Peter that it was fixed with November release. We are able to have parallel approval steps now. Thank you.

If possible, can you please have a look at this question. We are not getting any help on below one.

https://answers.sap.com/questions/13762059/sap-process-automation-string-expected-from-node-j.html