SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

2252666 - SCR Form: XML Software Change Request for Succession Org Chart and Succession Datamodel

Symptom

This article describes what type of changes can be completed by Cloud Product Support via Software Change Request and which changes should be completed by Implementation Partners and Customers for Succession Org Chart and Succession Datamodel.

Important Note to Customers:

  • Software change requests should not be initiated via the Chat Channel. 
  • If a supported XML change request is required, please follow the process outlined below under the section "To submit a software change request" to create a support ticket and fill out the required information.

Environment

SAP SuccessFactors Succession Planning

Resolution

What can be done via self-service tools in Admin Center

  • Enabling features via Upgrade Center;
  • Permission Changes;
  • Picklist Changes;
  • Changes to Matrix Grid Report icons;
  • Basic changes to the Succession features, available in "Org Chart Configuration", "Succession Settings" and "Nominations Set Up";
  • Label Translations in Manage Languages;
  • Label and Background Color changes to Matrix Grid Report cells.
  • Matrix grid report icons

What is considered an Implementation Request

Custom changes that cannot be completed via SuccessFactors Admin Tools can be delivered by Implementation Partners and Professional Services. Some examples are:

  • Enabling features which cannot be done via the Upgrade Center;
  • Succession Data Model XML: changing field types or field IDs; creating a new background portlet; creating a new rating element;
  • Succession Org Chart XML Configuration: adding a new icon to the Succession Org Chart; creating the "Readiness" or "BenchStrength" Rating Scale in the XML; Updating a picklist value in XML such as replacement of an existing readiness value as this will have an impact to the existing users with Readiness value defined;
  • Matrix Grid Reports: changing a field to be of picklist type, so it can be added as icon to the Matrix Grid Reports;
  • Switching nomination method (Role-Person, Legacy Position, MDF Position). This includes deciding what nomination method best fits customer needs, Instances that never ran Import nor Sync/totally blank Succession org chart;
  • Creating and setting up complex RBP permission, specifically MDF Position Object with Succession Planning User Based target population.

How to engage an Implementation Partner

  1. Visit our SAP Partners page.
  2. Click the "Search Now" button on "Find a Partner" tile > click the button "Search the SAP Partner Finder".
  3. You can filter the search by solution, industry and location.
  4. From the list, click on the Partner name you want to work with to see contact details for the partner.
  5. Partners can provide quotes and estimates based on your needs.

Please note that each partner may determine the types of services they offer for customers. Pricing can vary between partners. There are a number of partners that are happy to perform the types of changes listed here.

XML Upload via Provisioning

If you made changes in a template XML and now needs to upload it in the system in order to update it, please engage your Implementation Partner or Professional Services to fulfill this task or request each supported change individually as per the Software Change Request (SCR) process described below. For more information on this topic please refer to 3236270 - Requests to upload XML Templates via Provisioning.

Supported XML Changes that can be delivered via Product Support

Supported changes are typically characterized as "existing program maintenance" that are:

  • A necessary change to keep the existing program working as-is
  • Small year-over-year change not possible via Admin Tools
  • Adding functionality driven by SAP’s quarterly releases not possible via admin tools, and required by SAP.

Before Proceeding:

  • This service is available only to Enterprise customers and their designated primary administrators.
  • It is not available to Professional Edition customers.
  • It is not available to Partners.
  • The change process does not cover changes you can make via Admin Tools.
  • Is limited to 1 or 2 changes for 1 template per request.
  • When you have multiple changes and multiple templates, you will need to use partners.
  • Cloud Product Support can take up to 4 weeks to process change requests. Please submit your changes at least 4 weeks in advance.

Itemized Options

Details for Supported Changes

Readiness/bench strength value change in the Succession Org Chart:

The XML changes referred here should only be applied after the initial configuration is done via Admin Center.

If the Readiness rating scale is changed, as an example by adding a new value inside it or rearranging the existing ones, it's required to update the XML configuration of the Succession Org Chart as well as the necessary modifications via Admin Center.

  • The XML must mirror values defined in the picklist.
  • The value must be decimal. If it does not end with .0, errors may occur in the Succession Org Chart.

Example:

The change inside the code itself will be applied within the gradientOption with the key “readiness” or “benchStrength”.

  <gradientOption index="5" key="readiness">

    <type>readiness</type>

    <label>Readiness</label>

    <gradientset>

      <gradient>

        <label>3-5 years</label>

        <value>1.0</value>

        <index>3</index>

      </gradient>
Readiness/bench strength color change in the Succession Org Chart - Implementing and Managing Succession - Readiness Color Scheme

This is mandatory after applying value changes on the Readiness scale (Item 1), but can be done if no actual value changes occurred as well. Support can adjust the readiness and bench strength colors inside the Succession Org Chart according to the available colors for use.

Example:

  <gradientOption index="5" key="readiness">

    <type>readiness</type>

    <label>Readiness</label>

    <gradientset>

      <gradient>

        <label>3-5 years</label>

        <value>1.0</value>

        <index>3</index>

      </gradient>
Label changes inside the Succession Org Chart - Implementing and Managing Succession - Localizing Succession Org Chart Labels
  • Label changes to existing fields on the Succession Org Chart
  • Translation changes for the existing fields on the Succession Org Chart (e.g. localizing the label of an existing field for a specific language)
  • Change the short label of an existing field on the Succession Org Chart
Update Matrix Grid Filters - Implementing and Managing Succession - Supported and Unsupported Fields for Matrix Filters

The fields available to be used as filters in the Matrix Grid Reports are configured in the Succession Data Model XML. Cloud Product Support can add or remove a field.
Standalone Talent Search

This is to enable Talent Search without Succession Management license. Reference KBA for steps: How to enable Talent Search without Succession Management License.
Configure Key Position in Position Card for MDF Positions - Implementing and Managing Succession - Configuring the XML to Support the Key Position Indicator for MDF Positions

Create or setup Key Position for MDF Position nomination method.
Icon changes for Succession Org Chart Fields - Implementing and Managing Succession - Succession Org Chart Icons

Change the icon being used by an existing icon field on the Succession Org Chart. Product Support can make changes to existing icon configuration code only.

How to request a change from Cloud Product Support?

If the change you want to apply is listed in the table above, you can submit an case in the Support Portal requesting it. Please use the below template:

SCR Template: (Just copy and paste this into your case)

  1. Data Center (URL of your login screen):
  2. Company Instance ID (where to apply changes):
  3. Name of the Template Changes Will be Applied to:
  4. Itemized Change (which item needs to be changed):
  5. Other Comments: 

Testing of Software Changes

Once the change is completed, we require that you thoroughly test to ensure that the content has been coded to specifications and all functionality behaves accordingly and to expectations including all the way to printing and reporting, if applicable.

See Also

Keywords

SF, SuccessFactors, SCR, Software Change Request, template, plan, process, configuration, update, XML changes, software, upload, import, partner, customer, provisioning, changes, requirement, test, supported, category, permission, field, logic, filter, write, read, attribute, xml, performance, management, tab, not supported, chat, Succession Data Model, Org Chart Management, SOC, Matrix Grid Filters, Change icon label, Readiness, BenchStrength , KBA , LOD-SF-SCM-SCR , Software Changes, Services, Provisioning etc. , How To

Product

SAP SuccessFactors Succession & Development all versions