In the SAP landscape, effective project management hinges on seamless integration across different modules. One such critical integration is between SAP Project System (PS) and SAP Human Resources (HR). This integration facilitates precise planning, resource management, and cost control by linking project activities directly to human resources data—ensuring optimal utilization of personnel in project execution.
This article provides an introductory guide to understanding how SAP HR integrates with SAP PS, the benefits of this integration, and key functionalities enabled through this synergy.
SAP PS is a comprehensive module designed to support the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects. It allows users to structure projects, manage budgets, track progress, and control resources efficiently. Whether for internal development, customer-specific projects, or capital investment, SAP PS ensures alignment with organizational goals and timelines.
SAP HR—also known as SAP Human Capital Management (HCM)—manages all aspects of an organization’s human resources, including personnel administration, time management, payroll, and organizational management. It maintains the master data of employees, which can be utilized across various SAP modules.
The integration of SAP PS and SAP HR enables project managers to leverage HR data for:
- Resource Planning: Assigning employees to project tasks based on qualifications and availability.
- Time Recording: Capturing actual work hours on specific Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements or network activities.
- Cost Allocation: Automatically transferring labor costs from HR to project cost objects in PS.
- Skill Management: Ensuring that tasks are assigned to appropriately skilled personnel.
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¶ Organizational Units and Personnel Assignments
- SAP HR provides the structure of organizational units and employee assignments.
- PS uses this data to assign resources to project roles or activities.
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- Employees can post their working hours directly to project tasks.
- These time confirmations generate activity allocations, transferring costs to PS from Controlling (CO).
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- Project planners can estimate labor costs based on planned working hours and employee cost rates.
- PCP helps in budgeting and forecasting within the project plan.
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- CATS serves as a bridge between HR and PS.
- Employees enter time data in CATS, which then flows to HR for payroll and to PS for cost postings.
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¶ Qualifications and Roles
- SAP HR stores qualification data for employees.
- SAP PS can use this data to match roles with the required skills, improving task assignments.
- Improved Resource Utilization: Aligns employee availability with project timelines.
- Accurate Costing and Budget Control: Automatically reflects real labor costs on project budgets.
- Streamlined Time Management: Centralized time tracking across modules ensures consistency and accuracy.
- Better Forecasting and Planning: Historical time and cost data enhance future project estimates.
¶ Technical Aspects and Configuration
Integration requires coordination between the following components:
- HR Infotypes (e.g., IT0001 - Organizational Assignment, IT0007 - Planned Working Time)
- PS Master Data (Project definitions, WBS, Networks, Activities)
- CATS Profiles and Data Transfer Rules
- CO Integration for cost transfers
- Personnel Number Linkage via employee master data
Proper configuration of transfer rules, controlling areas, and activity types is critical to ensure smooth data flow and reconciliation.
Integration between SAP PS and SAP HR is a powerful enabler of efficient project execution. It unites human capital and project management, ensuring the right people are working on the right tasks at the right cost. For organizations looking to optimize their project outcomes, leveraging this integration is not just beneficial—it's essential.
- SAP Help Portal – Project System Overview
- SAP Notes on CATS and HR Integration
- SAP Learning Hub: Courses on HR and PS Integration