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Roles and security permissions are used in the SAP SuccessFactors application suite for the following:
Grant or revoke access to SAP SuccessFactors tools.
Define data read and write permissions.
Designate workflow and process permissions.
This lesson focuses on the use of Role-based permissions, specifically discussing those necessary to Succession Management. It is important to understand the details of this section for each permission granted modifies the view of the data, tools, or nominations within Succession Management.
Within the Permission Settings located in Manage Permission Roles, the administrator may control the functional views of Succession by role. Within the roles, the permissions are then separated into User Permissions and Administrator Permissions. There are a few types of permissions used:
On / Off permissions for Succession tools.
Planning permissions granting the ability to nominate a successor.
Permissions to view succession information like nominees or successors.
Several permissions grant the option to view successor data in other succession tools like the Succession Org Chart, Matrix Grid Reports, or Talent Search v2.

A quick, easy way to determine the ON / OFF permissions from others is to look for the miniature "t" beside the permission.
- ON / OFF permissions are simple. If they are enabled or checked, the tool is ON or visible.
- The "t" represents that a target audience must be defined and additional set up is needed

Each tool is granted or revoked simply by enabling or disabling the checkbox by the permission. In addition to the individual tool permissions, there are permissions granting access to other Succession Management features.
To change Succession Permissions, do the following steps:
- To navigate to Manage Permission Roles, use Action Search.
- Select the role for which you’re editing permissions.
- Choose Edit and change the basic information if necessary.
- Choose Next and navigate to the User Permissions section.
- Select Succession Planners and grant the necessary permissions.
- For administrators, be sure to navigate to the Administrator Permissions and Manage Succession to grant administrator permissions.
- Choose Next, review the role’s permissions, and choose Save.
Succession Permissions
Permission | Description |
---|---|
Succession Org Chart Permission | Controls access to the Succession Org Chart, the Lineage Chart, and Succession from the Home dropdown menu. |
Succession Approval Permission | Grants the permission to approve a nomination. Otherwise, the nomination moves to the status of Pending. Note Additional configuration is required before granting the Succession Approval Permission. |
Succession Management and Matrix Report Permissions | Also known as the visibility permission; it controls a role’s ability to view or see successors in the Succession Tools like v12 Succession Org Chart and the Matrix Grid Report. |
Succession Planning Permission | Grants the permission to nominate successors for an incumbent or a position. Turns on the "Add Successor" option within the v12 Succession Org Chart. |
Talent Search Access | Controls access to the Talent Search tab. Talent Search Export Permission allows users to export the names from the results of the Talent Search. The Talent Search Fields category in RBP is used to define the profile fields, background elements, ratings, job information, and other options that are available to users who have the Talent Search Access. If a user has multiple roles with permission to access Talent Search and each role has been configured with active search fields, then they can choose between roles on the Talent Search page. |
Matrix Report Permission | Controls the ability to access one or both of the Matrix Grid Reports (Performance-Potential and How vs. What). |
Position Tile Access | Controls access to the Position Tile tab. Note The Position Tile uses MDF or the Metadata Framework. This tool is not available until the prerequisite configuration is completed. |
View Talent Pool Nominations | Control the role’s ability to view the nomination in a talent pool as well as add/edit/delete and approve/reject talent pool nominations. Note The ability to view the Talent Pools page is controlled by provisioning and miscellaneous permissions |
Hide Talent Pool Page | If this is enabled the role will not see the Talent Pool page. |
The instance provided for the course has been set up with the following permission roles.
THR85 Role Permissions
Permission Role | Permission | Target Population | Purpose of the Target Population |
---|---|---|---|
Managers | Succession Org Chart, Succession Management and Matrix Report, and Succession Planning permissions. | Direct Reports (all levels down) | Manager A can see the succession plans of Manager A’s direct reports but not the succession plans of Manager B’s direct reports. |
Administrators | All User Permissions. | All | Super Admin should in most cases be able to see all user information for troubleshooting purposes. |
Succession Planners | All Succession Planner permissions EXCEPT Hide Talent Pool Page. All Reports permissions. | All Select the option for Exclude Granted User from having the permission access to him/herself. | Succession Planners need access to all users so they can nominate any successors for all positions. |