N-Step Dynamic Workflow in SAP E-Sourcing _CLM2.0 with Adhoc apprver Featre

Question

Hi All,
We are in process of implemeting SAP CLM 2.0 Application to one of our key client. one of the key Requirements is to implement n-step workflow approval based on the HR Based org structure. What the specific client requirement are as below ...
a)Dynamic N Level organizational hierarchy based approval for a contract document. Approval to be routed to a business requestoru2019s organization hierarchy depending on the value of contract
b)Approver substitution u2013 Provide functionality of substitution. If a person has to substitute a person for a period of time, workflow item to be routed to substituted user
c)Forward a workflow item u2013 If a particular workflow item is sitting in a personu2019s for a considerable time, an administrator to have the ability to push the workflow item to another alternate approver
d)Exception management u2013 Trigger email notifications to an approveru2019s manager if the workflow item is pending for a predefined period without action. If no action even after reminder for additional period of time, trigger another email to manageru2019s manager
e)Adding Adhoc Approval at any stage during the workflow approval stage ( For eg: - particularly in additional an additional approver in between)
Our Understanding u2013 None of these functionality is available as standard functionality within SAP CLM application. Correction needed if this understanding itself is incorrect (Low probability).  Also, It would be great if anybody can suggest an alternative approach to handle this.
Alternate Options u2013  (our thought )
Any options that can be explored. For instance......
a)Explore development in CLM itself to achieve the functionality. If so what are the limitations that would still remain. For example CLM supports only fixed levels in the approval, cannot handle dynamic N levels with adhoc approver addition
b)Explore if SRM framework can be used to integrate the system for n-step  workflow requirement
c)Can we utilize SAP UWL to integrate CLM system for this functionality
d)Any Other alternate options if similar requirements were handled in other projects
Your expert opinion & input required to meet this complex requirement.
Thanks & Best Rgds/
Pawan Swaroop
Milpitas, CA, USA
Ph: 925-949-9574
Edited by: Pawan Swaroop on Jan 31, 2011 11:13 AM

Answer 1

Hi Pawan,
SAP has not delivered any standard workflows in CLM. We have to develop custom
Now let me answer your queries:
a)Dynamic N Level organizational hierarchy based approval for a contract document. Approval to be routed to a business requestoru2019s organization hierarchy depending on the value of contract
          There is no Org structure/hierarchy in CLM. I think you mean the structure/hierarchy will be in SRM/ECC.
          But there is no std interface available to get this into CLM. So you have to first develop an interface to get the hierarchy.
          Dynamic N Level workflows are very much possible in CLM
b)Approver substitution u2013 Provide functionality of substitution. If a person has to substitute a person for a period of time, workflow item to be routed to substituted user
c)Forward a workflow item u2013 If a particular workflow item is sitting in a personu2019s for a considerable time, an administrator to have the ability to push the workflow item to another alternate approver
d)Exception management u2013 Trigger email notifications to an approveru2019s manager if the workflow item is pending for a predefined period without action. If no action even after reminder for additional period of time, trigger another email to manageru2019s manager
e)Adding Adhoc Approval at any stage during the workflow approval stage ( For eg: - particularly in additional an additional approver in between)
                        All this is very much possible but will require lot of custom solutions and efforts