Setting Up Approval Types

To set up approval types, use the Approval Type Setup component (CS_APPROVAL_TYPE).

An approval type is a part of the workflow process and controls approvers for the clause approval process and document approval process. Because approval types are associated with clause classes, you use approval types to define the types of approvals that are required for a class of clauses.

Each approval type has an associated role name. The system uses the role name to determine the group of users that it uses in the approval cycle for a clause or document. The system includes all users who have this role in their user profile in the approval process. Each approval type also has a number of configurable approval settings that determine when role users are used in an approval cycle. Check boxes control the approval settings and determine whether:

• An approval is required for a clause definition that is associated with the combination of class and approval type.

• An approval is required for clause usage in a document.

  The system uses role users in the contract approval process when a clause that the contract uses is associated with the combination of class and approval type.

• An approval is required for clause changes, including deletion, in a document.

  The system uses the role users in the contract approval process when a contract both uses and modifies a clause that is associated with the combination of the class and approval type.

The following examples describe clause definitions and clause usage.

For a clause definition, when the system starts the approval process and accesses the Approval Status page for a clause, it determines the correct approval role names based on the clause class and approval type that is specified on the clause. If the Clause Definition check box is selected for the approval type, then users who have the associated role in the Approving Role Name field will be notified to approve the clause definition.

When using a clause, the system starts the approval process and checks the Approval Status page for a document to be approved. It determines the correct approval role names based on the clause class and approval type that are specified on the clause. If the approval type has the Clause Changes in Doc check box or the Clause Exists in Doc check box selected, then users with the associated role in the Approving Role Name field will be notified to approve the clause use or changes in the document approval process.

To create and apply approval types:

1. Create the approval type and select the types of clause definition or usage approvals for each approving role name that you add to the approval type.

2. Add the approval type to the clause class definition.

   This links the roles to a class. To define the clause class, select Supplier Contracts > Supplier Contracts Setup > Classes. Specify which approval type is to be the default for the class definition. When a clause is defined, this default approval type is displayed and entered for you.

3. Create a clause using the clause class with which the approval type is associated.

   When you create the clause, the system creates the link between the approval settings from the approval type definition and the specific clause definition. The approval types are associated with classes on a separate configuration page. Each class can have multiple approval types with a default type, but you can select any of the configured approval types that are available for the class.

Use the Approval Type page (CS_APPROVAL_TYPE) to define approval types.

Navigation:

Supplier Contracts > Supplier Contracts Setup > Clause Approval Types

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Approval Type page: Clause Definition tab.

The system uses the approval type that you define on this page for clause approvals. You can include users who are associated with the role name as collaborators in the approval process.