Search Results pa_obj_status_changes




The PA_OBJ_STATUS_CHANGES table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) versions 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical data structure within the Project Accounting (PA) module. It serves as an audit trail for tracking changes to the status of project-related objects, such as projects, tasks, or deliverables. This table captures historical modifications, enabling organizations to maintain compliance, troubleshoot issues, and analyze project lifecycle transitions. Below is a detailed breakdown of its purpose, structure, and functional significance.

Purpose and Functional Context

The PA_OBJ_STATUS_CHANGES table logs all status transitions for project objects, ensuring traceability and accountability. In Oracle EBS, project statuses (e.g., "Approved," "Pending," "Closed") are pivotal for workflow governance, financial controls, and reporting. This table records metadata such as the old and new status values, timestamps, and the user responsible for the change. It integrates with other PA tables like PA_PROJECTS_ALL and PA_TASKS to provide a comprehensive audit trail.

Key Columns and Data Structure

The table's schema includes the following essential columns:

  • STATUS_CHANGE_ID: Primary key, uniquely identifying each status change record.
  • OBJECT_TYPE: Specifies the type of object (e.g., "PROJECT," "TASK").
  • OBJECT_ID: Foreign key linking to the object's primary key in its respective table.
  • OLD_STATUS_CODE and NEW_STATUS_CODE: Capture the before-and-after status values.
  • CHANGE_DATE: Timestamp of the modification.
  • CHANGED_BY: User ID of the individual or system process initiating the change.
  • REASON_CODE: Optional field documenting the reason for the status change.
Additional columns may include context-specific attributes like PROJECT_ID or TASK_ID, depending on the object type.

Integration with Oracle EBS Modules

The PA_OBJ_STATUS_CHANGES table interacts with several EBS components:

  1. Project Lifecycle Management: Status changes trigger workflows in Oracle Workflow or Approval Management Engine (AME).
  2. Financial Modules: Status transitions may affect accounting entries (e.g., freezing costs when a project is closed).
  3. Reporting: Integrated with Oracle BI Publisher or Discoverer for compliance audits.
For example, closing a project updates its status in PA_PROJECTS_ALL while logging the event in PA_OBJ_STATUS_CHANGES.

Technical Considerations

In EBS 12.2.2, the table leverages Oracle's Online Patch (OLP) technology, ensuring minimal downtime during patches. It is indexed on OBJECT_ID and CHANGE_DATE for performance optimization. Customizations (e.g., additional status codes) must align with seeded data in PA_STATUSES to maintain referential integrity.

Business Impact

Organizations rely on this table for:

  • Compliance: Demonstrating adherence to internal controls or regulatory requirements (e.g., SOX).
  • Root Cause Analysis: Investigating unauthorized status changes or workflow errors.
  • Historical Reporting: Analyzing project lifecycle trends over time.
For instance, a sudden "Hold" status on multiple projects could signal resource constraints, identifiable via queries on this table.

Conclusion

The PA_OBJ_STATUS_CHANGES table is a foundational element of Oracle EBS Project Accounting, offering granular visibility into project object status transitions. Its design supports auditability, integration with core modules, and strategic decision-making. Proper utilization of this table enhances governance and operational transparency in project-centric environments.