MANUALS > Engineering > Engineering Transaction Codes > E/C Category > Authorization Steps Button, via E/C Category

Authorization Steps Button, via E/C Category

Select the Engineering Authorization Step button to set up Authorization Steps to be included in the E/C Authorization Process for all E/Cs that are associated with this particular E/C Category. The system default setting is One-Step Authorization; however, any number of steps can be created.

Note: Engineering switch ECAUTH must be set to Yes to enforce that when E/Cs are created or revised that they go through the E/C Authorization Process. If switch ECAUTH is set to No, the E/C Authorization Process is not enforced and new and revised E/Cs will not require authorization.

Every E/C is assigned a particular E/C Category; in order to authorize and release the E/C to be used throughout the system, each Authorization Step defined for that E/C Category must be carried out and be 'Accepted' during the E/C Authorization Process. It is recommended that when switch ECAUTH is set to Yes, each E/C Category transcode be set-up and defined with Authorization Steps. If Authorization Steps are not set-up and defined when switch ECAUTH is set to Yes, the system will default to a One-Step Authorization process where anyone can authorize the E/C.

Setting up the Authorization Steps in the E/C Authorization Process is identical to setting up the Authorization Steps required for the Task Card Authorization Process. However, the E/C Authorization Process offers more functionality including: Parallel Step Authorization, Parent/Child Relationships, and Authorization at the Employee Department/Division/Section level.

The following information/options are available in this window:
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E/C Category

The category of the E/C (e.g., AD, SB, CHECK).

Sub Category

A Sub Category can be used to further define the E/C Category, if applicable. For example, users may want to classify their ADs for Engines, APUs, and Landing Gear separately. The Sub Category System Transaction Code is set up via Settings/ Explorer/ System Transaction Code/ Engineering.

Repair/Alteration

Defines if the record requires Repair or Alteration.

Other - The component is neither altered or repaired. This is a miscellaneous option.

Alteration - This compliance of the E/C will alter the component (i.e. the removal or addition of sub-components).

Repair - The compliance of the E/C will repair the component (i.e. a structural component has sheet metal work completed to strengthen the integrity of the structure).

Authorization Step

A description of the Authorization Step; each Authorization Step can have its own unique description to describe the steps general purpose.

E/C Authorization Step System Notification button

Select this button to set-up system generated notifications to be sent to users when an E/C with the specified E/C Category is modified. The following notification triggers can be set-up:

Open Step - Notifies when an authorization step has been created.

Close Step - Notifies when an authorization step has been accepted.

Rejected Step - Notifies when an authorization step has been rejected.

For additional information to set up System Notifications, refer to Setup - System Notification, via System Notifications of the Settings Training Manual.

Department

The department which has authority for approval of this step. The Authorization Step can only be performed by an individual in the department specified here. See Settings/ Update/ Employee Master to verify that the employee is assigned to the appropriate department. Authorizing employees must have security access to the appropriate Authorization Explorer option. When this field is left blank, the Authorization Group field is available.

Division

The division which has authority for approval of this step. The Authorization Step can only be performed by an individual in the division specified here.

Section

The section which has authority for approval of this step. The Authorization Step can only be performed by an individual in the section specified here.

Authorization Group

The Authorization Group which has authority for approval of the step. The Authorization Step can only be performed by an individual that is included in the Authorization Group specified here. For additional information regarding Authorization Groups, refer to Engineering Authorization Group Explorer,via the Engineering Training Manual.

Notification Days

The number of days in which a notification will be sent out. This is user defined. (i.e. a notification may be sent out every three days for each Step).

Notification Days System Notification button - Select this button to set up a system generated notification to be sent after the specified Notification Days if the record has not been authorized. For information on how to set up System Notifications, refer to Setup - System Notification, via System Notifications of the Settings Training Manual.

E/C Authorization checkbox

When selected, the checkbox indicates that the current Authorization Step will be the last step in the authorization process. During the creation of the Authorization Steps, this checkbox should only be selected for the final step before the record is to be released from authorization.

Step Order

This number indicates the order of Steps if one or multiple Steps are created. This number is automatically created and can be overridden and changed to any number. It is recommended that the user enter Steps in a standard incremental pattern (i.e. Step 5, Step 10, Step 15, etc.) to allow for the insertion of Steps into the sequence at a later time if required.

Parallel Step checkbox

The Parallel Step functionality allows for the grouping of a set of steps to be authorized in conjunction with one another during the Authorization Process. This is useful when several departments are required to authorize steps at the same time before the Authorization Process can continue on to the next step. When this checkbox is selected, the Parallel Group field becomes available.

Parallel Group - The system automatically creates a Parallel Group Number when the Parallel Step checkbox is checked. The Parallel Group Number acts as a container for all steps that are parallel.

Parent Step Order

The Parent Step Order field allows for the creation of a Parent/Child relationship between steps in the Authorization Process. This may be useful if two individuals from the same department need to authorize a particular step (i.e. a Manager and a Supervisor).

Step To On Rejection

This indicates how the Authorization Process will react when a Step is rejected (Start, Return To, Re-Release).

Start - Will return the Authorization Process to the first step.

Return To - Will return the Authorization Process to a specific Authorization Step as specified by the 'Return To' Step number in the Return To Step Order field.

Re-Release - Will return the Authorization Process to the queue where it will await Release For Authorization.

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Before a user starts to create Authorization Steps in the system, the following is recommended:

1. Plan the entire sequence of steps to be performed.
2. Determine all Parallel relationships to be established.
3. Determine all Parent/Child relationships to be established.
4. Draft an outline of all steps.

Parallel Steps:

Select the Parallel Step checkbox to make a step have a parallel relationship with another step in the sequence. When the Parallel Step checkbox is selected the system automatically creates a Parallel Group number. The Parallel Group number acts as a container for all steps that are parallel in that group and will appear for each Authorization Step in the Parallel Group column.

Note: This checkbox should not be used with the first Step in the sequence.

When Parallel Steps are set up, the system will require that all Parallel Steps within the same Parallel Group number be accepted (authorized) together, as a group; the Authorization Process will not continue until all steps in a particular Parallel Group number have been accepted.

When creating a Parallel Step, the user will have the option of placing the Authorization Step in the preceding Parallel Group number, or in the next Parallel Group number that the system will assign.

Parent / Child Steps:

If the Authorization Step being created is to act as a Child to another step, enter the Parent Step number in the Parent Step Order field. If a Parent Step number is entered here, the system will require that the Parent Step be accepted before the Child Step can be accepted.

Note: Parent Steps cannot be set up for Authorization Groups.

Note: To create complex authorization protocols, they system allows for the creation of Parent/Child relationships within Parallel Steps.

A hierarchical view of the Parallel and Parent/Child relationships can be produced by selecting the Hierarchical View button. (For additional information refer to the Hierarchical View button). In the example, Authorization Step 001 is a Parent Step to Step 002. Step 002 cannot be accepted until Step 001 has been accepted, and Step 003 cannot be accepted until both Step 001 and Step 002 are accepted. Authorization Step 003 and Step 004 are Parallel Steps; both these steps must been accepted before the Authorization Process can continue on to Step 005.

Note: If the users attempts to populate the Sub Category and/or Repair/Alteration fields for a Child Authorization Step without the Parent Step having the same data set up, the following error will occur:

Note: If the user attempts to populate data in the Sub Category or Repair/Alteration fields for the final Authorization Step with the E/C Authorization checkbox selected, the following error will occur:

For additional information regarding the Authorization Process, refer to Authorizing the E/C via the Engineering Authorization Explorer.

For additional information regarding how to authorize steps, refer to the Engineering Authorization Explorer via the Engineering Control - E/C Training Manual.