2532558 - How To Configure MDF Alerts and Notifications for MDF Objects

Symptom

It is possible to create MDF Alert and Notification for MDF Objects?
How to generate an Email Notification and/or a ToDo List item to notify end users when to take an action or to be aware of an upcoming date, for MDF data?
What is an MDF Alert Rule?
Are MDF Alerts Different then Regular EC Alerts?

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Environment

SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite - Metadata Framework
SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central

Resolution

How to configure an MDF Alert:

Please note that this process is slightly different to creating EC Alerts - please read carefully through the following pages in the "Implementing and Configuring Workflows in Employee Central" handbook and follow the process from start to finish to avoid creating bad configurations.

Defining an MDF Alert Rule
Assigning an Alert Rule to the Object
2560623 - Step by step configuration of MDF Alerts & Notifications [Custom MDF]

Please Note:

For Parent-Child MDF Alert rule, configure the alert rules on the child object will work. However, please note , the rules will be triggered only if the child record is changed or this is an insert new record case.
If you have multiple rules for the same object all triggering Alerts and Notifications, make sure to use a different MDF Alert Type (by maintaining multiple MDF Alert Type values) for each rule. This will avoid the scenario where multiple alerts with the same Alert Type or Null maintained will overwrite each other, else each rule will override each other and the alert rule which triggers last will be executed only.
MDF Alert Types can be made via Manage Data. A recommend approach, would be to create one for each rule, with the same naming convention.

MDF Alert Expected Behaviors for Workflow Approver/CC User Type:

User Data Based MDF Alerts:

Notes:

If the Alert triggers "Today" - The alert will be triggered when a user edits/creates a MDF Object, so the 'Initiator' is the user who makes the MDF Change
If the Alert triggers on a 'Future Date' - The alert will be triggered via the scheduled job. The 'Initiator' is the 'Scheduled Job Owner'

If a user based MDF triggers an alert, the MDF object's subject user (Employee) will be the 'Subject User' to populate the workflow approver and CC User.
This will work the same as any Employee Central Entity Alert (such as Job Info, or Employment Details), this type supports all approver types:

Self
Manager
Manager's Manager
Position
Dynamic Role and Position Relationship
Dynamic Group and Job Relationship

Object Based MDF Alerts:

If an object base MDF triggers an alert, the MDF object does not have a 'Subject User' but it has an initiator (created_by) to populate the workflow approver and CC User.
Relationship to Approver = "Employee/Employee's position":

This relationship can only support non-employee dependent types:

Position
Dynamic Group

Relationship to Approver = "Initiator/Initiator's Position":

This relationship type is supported using these relationship types:

Position
Dynamic Group
Position Relationship (use the Initiators Position to find the position relationship)

Notes:

If the Alert triggers "Today" - The alert will be triggered when a user edits/creates a MDF Object, so the 'Initiator' is the user who makes the MDF Change
If the Alert triggers on a 'Future Date' - The alert will be triggered via the scheduled job. The 'Initiator' is the 'Scheduled Job Owner'

Relationship to Approver = "Position":

Any type will not be supported. This setting is only for a "Position Change" Workflow (The actual workflow request, and not the alert)

Quick FAQ:

Where do I put the Alert rule on the MDF Object?

MDF Alert rules must be put on the corresponding object (Admin Center > Configure Object Definitions), in the Rules > Post Save Rules section of the Object Definition. For objects which have a Parent/Child Association the Business Rule should be configured using the Parent Object as the Rule Base Object and also triggered on the Parent Object.

Do I need to schedule any jobs?

If you do not trigger future dated alerts, you will not require and job to be scheduled, the system will create and send these alerts automatically on save.
If you trigger alerts for a future date you will require the "EC Alerts and Notifications" job to be scheduled and running in the instance. This job will send out any future dated alerts, once their effective date is reached.

Do I need to add the Parameter "Alert" to the MDF Alerts rule?

No - this should not be done for MDF Alert rules, only EC Alert rules.

Can MDF Alerts and Notifications be triggered on import?

Currently MDF Alerts and Notifications can be triggered on import (Post Save Rule). Also can be triggered by actions carried out in the UI.

For MDF import to trigger MDF Alerts and Notifications via Post Save Rule, there is a way to exclude from execution with the help of rule configuration , If customer would like to make certain Post Save rules to be excluded from import, please follow the instruction & Rule example as mentioned in this Guide:Exclude Rule Execution during Import

FAQ - Additional Information

Q) Where can I get information on this from the Guide?

A) Guide:Implementing the Metadata Framework (MDF)

Chapter: Configure MDF Alerts

Guide Implementing and Managing Workflows

Chapter: Creating Alert Rules for MDF Data Objects

Keywords

MDF, metadata framework, Alerts, Notification, Business Rules, Employee Central, EC, saveAlert, EC Alerts & Notifications, post save rule, postSaveRule, ECT-107618, ect 107618, EmplCentrl, ALR , KBA , LOD-SF-MDF-ALR , MDF Alerts , LOD-SF-EC-ALR , Alerts & Notifications (saveAlert - EC Core only) , How To

Product

SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central all versions ; SAP SuccessFactors HCM all versions