How To Fix WL318 - Command for process control: Work items for step & obsolete and ended

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WL - Workflow: run-time messages

• Message number: 318

• Message text: Command for process control: Work items for step & obsolete and ended

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WL318 - Command for process control: Work items for step & obsolete and ended ?

  The SAP error message WL318 indicates that there are work items for a process control step that are either obsolete or have ended. This typically occurs in the context of workflow management within SAP, where certain steps in a workflow may no longer be valid or applicable due to changes in the process or the completion of previous steps.
  Cause:
  
  Obsolete Work Items: The work items associated with a particular step in the workflow may have been marked as obsolete due to changes in the workflow definition or process.
  Ended Work Items: The work items may have already been processed or completed, meaning that the system is trying to access a step that no longer has any active work items.
  Workflow Definition Changes: If the workflow definition has been modified (e.g., steps added, removed, or altered), it can lead to inconsistencies in the work items that are still in the system.
  System Errors: There may be underlying system errors or inconsistencies in the workflow management that lead to this message being triggered.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Workflow Definition: Review the workflow definition to ensure that it is up-to-date and that all steps are correctly defined. If changes have been made, ensure that they are reflected in the workflow instances.
  Delete Obsolete Work Items: If there are obsolete work items, consider deleting them from the workflow. This can often be done through transaction codes like SWIA (Work Item Administration) or SWI1 (Work Item Selection).
  Reprocess Work Items: If applicable, reprocess the work items that are still valid. This may involve restarting the workflow or manually triggering the next steps.
  Check for Errors: Use transaction SWI1 to check for any errors in the workflow logs that may provide more context on why the work items are marked as obsolete or ended.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or notes related to workflow management for any specific guidance on handling this error.
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists and cannot be resolved through the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SWI1 (Work Item Selection), SWIA (Work Item Administration), and SWU3 (Automatic Workflow Customizing).
  Workflow Monitoring: Use transaction SWI6 to monitor workflow instances and identify any that may be causing issues.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to workflow management that may address this error.
  Documentation: Review SAP Help documentation on workflow management for best practices and troubleshooting tips.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to address the WL318 error and ensure that your workflow processes are functioning correctly.