How To Fix WFEA004 - Latest start: Recipient for missed deadline cannot be determined

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WFEA - Workflow error analysis

• Message number: 004

• Message text: Latest start: Recipient for missed deadline cannot be determined

What causes this issue?

The latest start of step &V1& has passed. Since no
<DS:GLOS.notification agent for latest start>notification agent for
latest start</> could be determined via &V3&, workflow &V2& for
multistep task &V4& has been aborted.

How to fix this error?

You have two alternatives:

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Restart aborted workflow
Change the organizational plan, so that &V3& provides a number of users
other than zero. Then choose "Restart After Error".
Change workflow definition
Change the notification agent for missed latest start of step &V1& of
workflow definition &V4&. Then restart the workflow. The old instance
with errors can be dealt with using the function "Delete Logically".

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WFEA004 - Latest start: Recipient for missed deadline cannot be determined ?

  Certainly! Here's a detailed explanation for the SAP error message WFEA004: Latest start: Recipient for missed deadline cannot be determined:
  
  Error Message
  WFEA004: Latest start: Recipient for missed deadline cannot be determined
  
  Cause
  This error occurs in SAP Workflow when the system tries to determine the recipient (user or organizational unit) responsible for handling a missed deadline (also called a "deadline event" or "deadline trigger") but fails to find a valid recipient.
  In SAP Workflow, deadlines can be set for tasks or steps, and if a deadline is missed, the workflow can trigger an escalation or alternative action. To do this, the system must know who should receive the notification or take over the task after the deadline is missed.
  The error typically arises because:
  
  The deadline recipient is not defined or incorrectly defined in the workflow.
  The binding or rule that determines the recipient for the deadline event is missing or invalid.
  The organizational assignment or user determination logic for the deadline recipient is incomplete or incorrect.
  The workflow container element that should hold the recipient information is empty or not properly filled.
  The deadline event is configured, but the recipient determination step is not implemented or fails.
  
  
  Solution
  To resolve this error, you need to ensure that the workflow can correctly determine the recipient for the missed deadline. Steps include:
  
  
  Check Deadline Configuration in Workflow Builder (SWDD):
  
  Open the workflow in transaction SWDD.
  Locate the deadline event (usually attached to a step).
  Verify that the deadline is correctly defined with a valid "Latest Start" or "Deadline" event.
  
  
  
  Verify Recipient Determination:
  
  Check the Recipient Determination for the deadline event.
  Ensure that the recipient rule or binding is correctly set.
  The recipient can be a user, organizational unit, role, or a rule that returns a user or list of users.
  If a rule is used, test the rule separately (using transaction SWU_OBUF or SWU3) to confirm it returns valid recipients.
  
  
  
  Check Workflow Container Bindings:
  
  Verify that the container element used to determine the recipient is correctly filled before the deadline event triggers.
  If the container element is empty or not set, the system cannot find the recipient.
  
  
  
  Check Organizational Management (OM) Data:
  
  If the recipient is determined via organizational units or positions, ensure that the OM data is correct and active.
  Use transaction PPOME or PO13 to check organizational assignments.
  
  
  
  Check for Custom Code or Enhancements:
  
  If custom rules or methods are used to determine recipients, debug or review the code to ensure it returns valid users.
  
  
  
  Test the Workflow:
  
  After corrections, test the workflow to ensure the deadline recipient is correctly determined and the error no longer occurs.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  
  Transaction Codes:
  
  SWDD – Workflow Builder (to edit and check workflow definitions)
  SWU3 – Workflow Customizing (to check workflow configuration)
  SWI1 – Workflow Log (to analyze workflow runtime errors)
  SWI2_FREQ – Workflow Runtime Analysis
  PPOME / PO13 – Organizational Management (to check org structure)
  SWU_OBUF – Test rules and binding
  
  
  
  SAP Notes and Documentation:
  
  Check SAP Notes related to workflow deadline errors.
  SAP Help Portal: Workflow documentation on deadline events and recipient determination.
  
  
  
  Common Scenarios:
  
  Deadline recipient is often set to the agent of a task or a specific organizational role.
  If the workflow step is assigned dynamically, ensure the deadline recipient logic matches the dynamic assignment.
  
  
  
  
  Summary
  The error WFEA004 means the workflow cannot find who should handle the missed deadline event. Fixing it involves verifying and correcting the recipient determination logic for the deadline event in the workflow definition, ensuring container elements and organizational data are properly maintained.
  
  If you provide the workflow ID or more context, I can help you with more specific guidance!