SAP HR: Determining Managers with Function Modules

In SAP Human Resources (HR), understanding organizational structures and reporting lines is crucial. Function modules (FMs) come to the rescue as they encapsulate reusable code for specific tasks. When you need to figure out who a particular employee reports to, several SAP HR function modules are designed to streamline the process.

Key Function Modules

Let’s break down some of the most commonly used function modules for retrieving manager information in SAP HR:

1. RH_GET_LEADING_POSITION

• • This is a core FM for getting the manager’s position based on an employee’s Pernr (Personnel Number).
  • It leverages the A002 relationship (Reports-to) maintained in info type 0001 (Organizational Assignment).

1. RH_GET_LEADER

• • This FM is similar to ‘RH_GET_LEADING_POSITION’ but can work with either an employee’s Pernr or their corresponding position ID.
  • It also uses the A002 relationship.

1. SWX_GET_MANAGER

• • If you’re working with workflows or want to use a rule-based approach, this is your go-to FM.
  • It often relies on rule 168, which uses ‘RH_GET_LEADING_POSITION’ internally.

1. HRWPC_RFC_OADP_GET_OBJECTS

• • This versatile FM has a broader scope than just finding managers.
  • It’s often used in Manager Self-Service (MSS) scenarios.
  • You can query based on the USER parameter (info type 0105) to locate a manager.

Practical Example

Suppose you must get the manager’s Pernr for an employee with Pernr ‘12345678’. Here’s a simple ABAP snippet using ‘RH_GET_LEADING_POSITION’:

ABAP

DATA: manager_position TYPE pa0001-plans,

      manager_pernr TYPE pa0000-pernr.

CALL FUNCTION ‘RH_GET_LEADING_POSITION’

  EXPORTING

    pernr = ‘12345678’

  IMPORTING

    leading_position = manager_position.

SELECT SINGLE pernr 

       FROM pa0000

       INTO manager_pernr 

       WHERE plans = manager_position. 

Use code with caution.

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Important Considerations

• Org Structure: Ensure your organizational structure is accurately maintained in SAP HR, including the A002 relationships. These FMs rely on this data.
• Multiple Assignments: If an employee has various positions (potentially numerous managers), these FMs generally return the manager from their primary assignment.
• Customization: Your organization might have custom function modules or logic for complex manager retrieval scenarios.

Beyond the Basics

The world of SAP HR function modules is vast. As you delve into more intricate reporting and workflow requirements, you might encounter other helpful FMs and techniques for working with organizational data.