Work item
Work item (SAP Business Workflow)
The runtime unit of SAP Business Workflow: each step of a workflow instance creates a work item that an agent or the system executes.
Dialog work items wait for an agent to execute them, background work items are executed by the system, and wait steps wait for an event. A workflow is stuck when one of its work items can no longer progress.
Typical causes are an agent rule that returns nobody, a background step that ended in error, an event that is never raised because the event linkage is inactive, and inconsistent workflow runtime configuration.
In ERP Preflight
Workflow Stuck Explainer analyses exported work items, logs, agent traces, event linkages and deadlines and explains why an item does not progress.
Problems that involve Work item
- BlockerCircular wait between work items
- CriticalWork item READY without any possible agent
- MajorContainer element empty or binding failed
- MajorOpen workflow items assigned to the user
- CriticalBackground step ended in error
- MajorDeadline / SLA exceeded
- MajorEvent type linkage deactivated
- CriticalRFC destinations log on with the user
Related terms
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Background articles
- Why SAP Business Workflow items get stuck and how to find the causeThe typical reasons a workflow does not continue — no agent found, failed background steps, missing events, configuration gaps — and the standard tools to diagnose them.
Written for ERP Preflight · reviewed September 27, 2026
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