Configuring Basic Standard Sections

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to configure the introduction, employee information, review information and signature sections

Performance Form Sections

The Performance Form consists of sections with content needed for the review process. In this lesson, we are going to learn how to use sections to display instructions or other useful information, how to display employee and review data as well as how to capture the signatures of the users involved.

This video will introduce you to the most common form sections in the Performance Form

The Introduction Section

The Introduction section generally appears at the top of the form. It gives the user information about the performance review process, and instructions on how to complete the form. Because this section is customizable, it can help the customer introduce the form in a way that is consistent with their own company culture.

The Introduction section is one of the sections that can appear only once in a form template. It is typically placed at the top of a review form as a text block. This text can be edited, and may include the following items:

  • A welcome message

  • Instructions on how to complete the form

The Employee Information Section

The Employee Information section provides information about the employee being reviewed. It gives all viewers of the form relevant information about the performance review. This element displays non-editable, read-only information about the form subject, and can display any of the elements in the employee table.

By default, each data element displayed reflects the user data that is current at the time the form is opened. For example, if an employee has a name change between the time the form is launched and next opened, the new name is seen in the form. If this is not desired, the sync-until-completion attribute can be set to "false" in the XML. With this setting, the form always shows the user’s data as of the form launch, rather than showing updated data.

Employee Information Section Fields

You can display any of the fields in the table in the Employee Information section. Use any of the names as the <ekey> in the XML.

Employee Information Section Fields

USERNAMEFIRSTNAMELASTNAME
MIGENDEREMAIL
MANAGERHRDEPARTMENT
JOBCODEDIVISIONLOCATION
TIMEZONEHIREDATEEMPID
TITLEBIZ_PHONEFAX
ADDR1ADDR2CITY
STATEZIPCOUNTRY
REVIEW_FREQLAST_REVIEW_DATECUSTOM01–CUSTOM15
MATRIX_MANAGER  

The Review Information Section

The Review Information section provides information about the period that the form covers as well as the person who created the form.

Configuration of the Review Information Section in Manage Templates

The Review Information section provides information about the period the form covers called the review period, the date the form is due, and the name of the user who created the form.  

As with other sections, you can change the name of the section, and you can add an introduction with some formatting elements. Otherwise, the section is fixed, and cannot be configured. When the form is created, this section automatically populates with the review dates, which are configured under Form Template Settings, and the name of the form originator.

You can hard-code review dates using Form Template Settings, as shown in the figure, Configure the Review Information Section in Manage Templates. When set in this manner, the Default Start Date is populated as today’s date. The Default End Date and Default Due Date are set for 30 days from today.

Note

Dates can be set in any way the customer requires. For example, some employers hold reviews at a particular time of the year, while others may stagger the review dates based on employee anniversary date.

Editable Dates

By default, a user can edit the dates populated to the form. To set those fields as non-editable, select the appropriate checkboxes in the Form Template Settings, as follows:

  • Disallow users from changing the Start Date

  • Disallow users from changing the End Date

  • Disallow users from changing the Due Date

Note

Selecting the checkboxes only prevents start, end, and due dates from being changed when the form is being created. Once the form is launched, the user can edit the dates from within the form. To prevent the dates being edited, select the checkboxes as described and then add a section permission type disabled to make it read-only and disallow editing.

Configuration of the Review Information Section with XML

The figure, Configure the Review information Section using XML, shows a standard Review Information section. The only areas a user can edit are the <reviewinfo-sect-name>, <reviewinfo-sect-intro>, and <section-permission>.

Configure the Introduction, Employee Information and Signature Sections

Business Example

You need to configure the Introduction, Employee Information, and Signature sections.

Learn how to configure basic standard sections, including the introduction, employee information and signature.

Steps

  1. Create the Introduction section. On your form, replicate the Introduction section in the figure, Introduction Section.

    1. Use https://successfactors.com for the embedded link.
    2. Make sure that the link to the SAP SuccessFactors website opens in a new window.
    3. Place the Introduction section at the top.
    4. Use either the instance or XML solution.

      Note

      In order for each section to function properly, it is sometimes necessary to divide the solution code into smaller sections and include the entire code for each section in your XML Template. Copy and paste each section in the correct order.

      Instance Solution

      1. Log into the instance, and navigate to Manage Templates using Action Search.
      2. Choose your form.
      3. In the Section Name field, enter the name.
      4. In the Description text box, enter the section text.
      5. To create the hyperlink, select the link icon, and add the following details:
        • Display Text: SAP SuccessFactors
        • Link Type: URL
        • Protocol: https://
        • URL: www.successfactors.com
        • Select the Target option, and choose New Window (_blank) from the dropdown list
        • Choose OK and Save to save changes.

      XML Solution

      1. Log into the instance and navigate to Form Template Settings using Action Search.
      2. Choose your form.
      3. Select the Download Form Template button. Add the solution code below to your XML file. Make sure that the XML file and DTD are validating.
    Code Snippet
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    <introduction-sect> <fm-sect index="0" mgt-only="false" split-cmt="false" cmt-opt="1"> <fm-sect-name><![CDATA[Introduction]]></fm-sect-name> <fm-sect-intro><![CDATA[<p><u><span style="font-size:16px"><b><span style="color:#8e44ad">Welcome to this year's Performance Appraisal process</span></b></span></u></p> <p>This process is designed to help you and your manager identify your accomplishments and goal achievement during the year. </p> <p>Questions? reach out to the HR Team @ <b><a href="https://successfactors.com" target="_blank">SAP SuccessFactors</a></b></p> <p> </p>]]></fm-sect-intro> <fm-sect-config> <rating-label><![CDATA[Rating]]></rating-label> <rating-label-others><![CDATA[Rating]]></rating-label-others> <default-rating><![CDATA[unrated]]></default-rating> <hidden-strength-threshold>0.0</hidden-strength-threshold> <blind-spot-threshold>0.0</blind-spot-threshold> <num-decimal-places>2</num-decimal-places> <publish-button-label><![CDATA[Publish Content]]></publish-button-label> </fm-sect-config> </fm-sect> </introduction-sect>
  2. Modify the Employee Information section. On your form, replicate the Employee Information section in the following figure, and place it below the Introduction section you previously created.

    1. Use either the instance or XML solution.

      Instance Solution

      1. Log into the instance and navigate to Manage Templates using Action Search.
      2. Choose your form.
      3. In the Section Name field, enter the name.
      4. Make sure the relevant checkboxes are selected in Display Options.
      5. Choose Save to save changes.

      XML Solution

      1. Log into the instance and navigate to Form Template Settings using Action Search.
      2. Choose your form.
      3. Select the Download Form Template button. Add the solution code below to your XML file. Make sure that the XML file and DTD are validating.

      Note

      You can only change the order of the fields that display in the Employee Information section from the XML file.
      Code Snippet
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      <userinfo-sect> <fm-sect index="1" mgt-only="false" split-cmt="false" cmt-opt="0"> <fm-sect-name><![CDATA[User Information]]></fm-sect-name> <fm-sect-intro><![CDATA[ <div>The fields here represent your personal information at the time the form is opened. For example, if your name changes after the performance cycle has launched, your updated name will appear in this section. <br></div>]]></fm-sect-intro> <fm-sect-config> <rating-label><![CDATA[Rating]]></rating-label> <rating-label-others><![CDATA[Rating]]></rating-label-others> <default-rating><![CDATA[unrated]]></default-rating> <hidden-strength-threshold>0.0</hidden-strength-threshold> <blind-spot-threshold>0.0</blind-spot-threshold> <num-decimal-places>2</num-decimal-places> <publish-button-label><![CDATA[Publish Content]]></publish-button-label> </fm-sect-config> <fm-element index="0" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[FIRSTNAME]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="1" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[LASTNAME]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="2" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[EMAIL]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="3" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[MANAGER]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="4" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[DEPARTMENT]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="5" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[TITLE]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="6" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[JOBCODE]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> <fm-element index="7" type="3"> <ekey><![CDATA[LOCATION]]></ekey> <ename><![CDATA[]]></ename> <evalue><![CDATA[]]></evalue> </fm-element> </fm-sect> </userinfo-sect>
  3. Update the Signature section. On your form, replicate the Signature section in the figure, Signatures. The Signature section should also have an overall comment box.

    Note

    Make sure you test the comment box in the signature stage.
    1. Use either the instance or XML solution.

      Note

      The Signature section is a shell that populates with the roles that have been assigned in the route map. Log into the instance and navigate to Manage Route Maps using Action Search. Select your route map.

      In the Signature Stage, to add a new step, select the green plus sign. Select User as the step type, and search for Manny Manager. Specific users that are added to the route map show up as Other in addition to any users that are added through the Add Signer capability that can be enabled in Form Template Settings.

      Instance Solution

      1. Log into the instance, and navigate to Manage Templates using Action Search.
      2. Choose your form.
      3. In the Section Name field, enter the name.
      4. Expand Show advanced options… and select the Include comment checkbox.

      XML Solution

      1. Log into the instance and navigate to Form Template Settings using Action Search.
      2. Choose your form.
      3. Select the Download Form Template button. Add the solution code below to your XML file. Make sure that the XML file and DTD are validating.
      Code Snippet
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      <signature-sect> <fm-sect index="9" mgt-only="false" split-cmt="true" cmt-opt="1"> <fm-sect-name><![CDATA[Signatures]]></fm-sect-name> <fm-sect-intro><![CDATA[Please acknowledge all raters agree on the final results of the performance review.]]></fm-sect-intro> <fm-sect-config> <rating-label><![CDATA[Rating]]></rating-label> <rating-label-others><![CDATA[Rating]]></rating-label-others> <default-rating><![CDATA[unrated]]></default-rating> <hidden-strength-threshold>0.0</hidden-strength-threshold> <blind-spot-threshold>0.0</blind-spot-threshold> <num-decimal-places>2</num-decimal-places> <publish-button-label><![CDATA[Publish Content]]></publish-button-label> </fm-sect-config> </fm-sect> </signature-sect>

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