JA-GL-BU-PMA-PCS-NX303

4.6C Upgrade Project Builder

Project Builder
Project Builder is a new function effective in SAP 4.6c. Project Builder provides a
unified work area that allows the user to build the WBS Structure, Networks / Activities
and associated attributes, such as milestones in one integrated workspace. Project
Builder is an outgrowth of Structure Planning in SAP 3.1i.
This job aid describes how to use the Project Builder. See other, related job aids to
address ancillary processes such as Mass Change, Easy Cost Planner and Simulation. See
other job aids to understand how to process each of the objects (Project Definition, WBS,
Networks, etc.) as well as other graphics tools (Planning Board, Graphic WBS and
Graphic network) available through Project Builder.
Project Builder can be accessed through the SAP menu, the
users customized Favorites menu or transaction CJ20N.

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There are three basic areas to the Project Builder work area. Each will be discussed in
detail in its own section.
1. Project Structure - This defines the objects that currently exist in the project you are
developing. The hierarchy is expandable. The last project processed is stored at this
level. The tool bar at the top of this section allows you to Open, Create (or Copy)
Projects (WBSs) or Networks as well as Edit existing objects (through
Cut/Paste/Delete)
2. Templates/ Worklists Template (tab) allows you to store Projects, WBS elements,
etc. to include/copy to the active project. The Worklist (tab0 is divided into two
hierarchies. Under Last projects processed are stored the last 5 Projects you have
worked on and allows you to select and open any. You can also add projects (or
WBS legs, Networks) under the Projects hierarchy to open.
3. Work Area This is where the object you are editing is displayed in detail. The detail
screens are the same as processing through the individual screens and are not
discussed in this job aid.

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NOTE: You can adjust the sizes of the three windows to allow you the optimal amount
of space while working.
Settings You can determine How and What is displayed in the Project Builder. Go to
menu path Settings and select Options.
1. General parameters are defined,
such as a) what should be defaulted
as display, b) Editing mode,
number of hierarchy levels (be sure
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to allow 99 levels), whether you
want the last project worked on
displayed and if you want items
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flagged for delete displayed. Note
you can store Simulations, too.
2. Templates displayed
3. Individual Processing Objects you plan to create and/or edit

WBS element Display You can modify how the WBS elements are displayed (Number,
short ID, or Description) by going to menu path Settings / WBS display and selecting an
option.
Customize Screen Format You can also customize the screen formats
by selecting an object and going to meun path Settings / Layout detail
screens. See job aid SAP User-friendly Features for details.
Project Structure
You must first open or create a project. The example shows
a project that has already been created.
Open Object: You can open a Project, WBS (leg), Network
or Simulation. Your selection is important in that you lock
whatever you open for other operations, such as
confirmations, and purchasing activities. Therefore, you should open the smallest portion
of a project you can. There are a number of ways to open a project.

Structure area - Double click on the existing structure in the Structure area. This
will open the last project processed.
Worklist area - Double click on one of the Last projects processed or an object in the
Project hierarchy.

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Click the Open button and make your selection. You

can store the selection in the Worklist area by clicking
Add and Open button at the bottom of the
selection screen.
Right click the mouse and select Open.
The same selection screen will appear.

Create Object: There are three ways to do this, through the template process
discussed later, through the project structure area or through the cursor right
clicking and selecting New. The possible objects that can be created are determined by
the object selected. All objects are created below the selected object.

Project Structure Select the object (level) below which you

want the object to appear then click the Create button.
Select the appropriate object. That objects detail screen
appears in the Work Area to the right. Enter the required
data and return to the Project Builder to continue by click on
the Project Structure area. Note: you can also right click the
object and select Create / object. This will accomplish the same thing.
Subnetworks: You can not create a subnetwork directly. If you try to create the
subnetwork under the activity, it will give an error message saying you can not create
a subnetwork, .You must create subnetwork as a regular network below the assigned
WBS element. Under the Assignments tab, enter the network activity you wish to
create the network as a subnetwork.
Proceed to create the activities. You will not see it appear under the correct activity
until you save the project. The next time, the subnetwork will appear under the
proper network activity.

WBS Overview Screen You must have created one WBS

element. From the Project Definitions detail screen, click
the Overview button (triangle icon). You can then create the
WBS in the tabular basis.
Click on the Project Structure to return to it. You can also get to the WBS
overview (or Network overview) by going to the Project Definition and
clicking the WBS or Network overview button

Cursor Right Click You can select the object below which you want to
add an object then right click the mouse. Depending on the object, you
get all valid options to:
Create new objects
Include objects from another source
Move level up /down (Hierarchy)
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Etc.

Move Object: The new object may require Moving to another

position within the same level. You can Drag and Drop the
object where it should belong. You can also use the menu path
Edit / WBS to move individual WBS elements and select an
option.
Change Object: you can view and change an object by just selecting the object. The
detail screen appears in the Work Area. Change as required and return to the Project
Builder. NOTE: Like Structure Planning in 3.1i, you can change the WBS element code
without having to unprotect it. You still can not change the Network Code, even if it is
externally assigned.
NOTE: It is best to save the work periodically to ensure that data is not lost if there is a
malfunction.
Expand / Collapse Structure You can expand and collapse the project structure by
clicking on the arrows alongside the object to expand or collapse to that level.
Or you can use the expand/collapse All within Leg buttons at the top of the
Project Structure
Backtrack You can backtrack your transactions by using the Backtrack
buttons. This will trace your steps in how you built the current session.
Navigation steps are also included.
Template / Worklist Area This area, located at the
lower left corner, is designed for two purposes:
a) The Worklist lists all previous projects (or
simulations) you have worked on and allows you to select
which one you wish to work on at this time. Use the Worklist
tab to access this.
b) The Template lists the Objects you wish to use as a template
for creating new object for the active project. Use the Template
tab to access this function. The settings affect the content of
the selection options.

Create Template There are two ways to create a template, Generic (A) and Project (B)
Templates. .

Generic: Select the Object below which you want the new object to appear. Then,
double click an object type in section A for which you wish to create a template
object. You can also drag and drop to the same place in the structure. This is the
same as creating a new object from the Project Structure. A template will appear in
the work area to the right. Fill in the details. When you click on another object, the
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Object is created as the lowest object below the initial object selected. Move it to
where it should be located, if required.

Project Template: Double click on the Object in section B

for which you wish to create a template. A pop-up will ask
what existing Object you wish to use as a template. Enter the
object and it will appear as an option under the Object class. CAUTION: You are
also copying any other lower objects with it, such as Networks and Activities.
To use the Project Template object, select the object in the Structure below which you
want the new object to appear. Then, double click the Project object in section B.
The Object will appear in the work area to the right for editing. Fill in the detail, then
double click the Project Structure and it will appear as the lowest object below the
initially selected object.

Add Simulation to Worklist Simulations are processed the same as operative

Projects. The only difference is that they do no post to CO. They can be used for
what if planning or baseline measures for change control and earned value.
NOTE: You can also create a Simulation from Project Builder. See job aid on
Simulations for more detail
You can add a project simulation to your worklist by
double clicking Project definition under Simulation
in your worklist. Next enter the simulation version
and project definition you wish to add to your
worklist. Once it is in your worklist, you can process
project building in the same manner you would an operative project.

Other EDIT Functions must be performed via the Edit menu, such
as scheduling, costing, updating status for objects and, in the case
of Network Activities, confirmations, etc.
Select the object to act upon, then go to menu path Edit and perform
the function. The options will vary with the type of object selected.
These functions are processed in the same manner as if the objects
were processed through other methods than Project Builder.
Other Functions: You can execute Easy Cost Planning, Simulation and Mass change
through Project Builder. See Job aid for the related subject for details.
Other Tools: You can navigate to other tools to help build the project, these
include Planning Board, Graphic WBS and Graphic Networks. These are
discussed in other job aids.

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Object Services: You can execute an Object Service by clicking the Object
Services button and selecting an option. This is discussed in the job aid SAP
4.6C Upgrade - User-friendly Features.

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