Section 2 of 10

Project Definition

What the project definition holds, what a project profile controls, and how coding masks structure project numbers.

Open contents

The project definition is the top-level object representing a project as a whole, and its settings default down to the WBS elements beneath it.

What it holds

Key fields
FieldContent
Project definition IDThe identifier, following the coding mask
DescriptionA meaningful name
Person responsibleThe project manager
Start and finishThe overall period
Company codeWhere it belongs for accounting
Controlling areaThe CO unit
Profit centreInternal reporting
Project profileThe bundle of settings governing behaviour

The project definition itself collects no cost; WBS elements do. It is a frame, not a container.

The project profile

What the profile determines
SettingContent
Planning profileHow cost planning works
Budget profileHow budgets behave and what happens on overrun
Settlement profileWhich settlement receivers are permitted
Network profileDefaults for networks
Status profileUser status definitions
Organisational defaultsCompany code, controlling area, plant
Costing variantHow planned and actual values are valued

Coding masks

A coding mask in use
Mask: XXXX-XX-XX-XXX

Project definition : P001
WBS level 1        : P001-01
WBS level 2        : P001-01-01
WBS level 3        : P001-01-01-001

-> the number itself shows the level

The Project Builder

Principal transactions
CodePurpose
CJ20NProject Builder โ€” create and change structures
CJ01 / CJ02 / CJ03Project definition
CJ11 / CJ12 / CJ13WBS elements
CN21 / CN22 / CN23Networks
CJ40 / CJ30Cost planning and budgeting
CN41 / CN42NStructure information system
CJI3Actual line items

๐Ÿ“– Unfamiliar term? Look it up in the SAP glossary.

Check your understanding

Test what you just read.

Quiz 1

What is the top-level organizational unit in PS?

Quiz 2

What is the transaction code for the Project Builder?

Quiz 3

A Project Profile is assigned to the project definition to control default settings.

Quiz 4

Only one WBS element can be placed under a project definition.

Quiz 5

Which information is NOT contained in a project definition?

Quiz 6

What is the purpose of a Project Profile?