Search Results per_position_definitions

Overview

The PER_POSITION_DEFINITIONS table is a core data object within the Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) Human Resources (HR) module, specifically under the PER (Personnel) product family. Its primary role is to serve as a master repository for unique position definitions. As indicated in the ETRM documentation, it stores combinations of segments that are utilized in the PER_POSITIONS table. In essence, it functions as a key reference table that standardizes and defines the structural attributes of a position, separating the definition from the specific instances or assignments. This design promotes data integrity and consistency across the HRMS system by ensuring that position-related data conforms to pre-defined segment combinations, which are critical for flexfield structures and reporting.

Key Information Stored

The table's central column is the POSITION_DEFINITION_ID, which serves as the primary key (PER_POSITION_DEFINITIONS_PK). This unique identifier is the critical link referenced by numerous transactional tables. While the provided ETRM excerpt does not list all columns, the table's description confirms it holds the segment combinations for positions. These segments typically correspond to the key flexfield structure of the Job Position flexfield (e.g., Job, Position, Grade, Company, Cost Center). Therefore, the table stores the compiled, validated code combination ID along with the individual segment values that constitute a complete position definition. Other supporting columns likely include creation date, created by, last update date, and last updated by for auditing purposes.

Common Use Cases and Queries

This table is fundamental for HR reporting, data validation, and integration processes. A primary use case is generating a master list of all defined positions within the enterprise for organizational reporting. It is also queried to validate data during position creation or mass position transactions. Common SQL patterns involve joining this table to transactional tables to retrieve the full position definition details for analysis.

• Basic Position Definition Report: SELECT position_definition_id, segment1, segment2, segment3 FROM hr.per_position_definitions WHERE ...;
• Linking Definition to Position Instances: Queries often join PER_POSITION_DEFINITIONS to PER_ALL_POSITIONS or HR_ALL_POSITIONS_F on POSITION_DEFINITION_ID to report on which definitions are in active use.
• Data Integrity Validation: Identifying positions in transactional tables that reference invalid or orphaned definition IDs by using an outer join to PER_POSITION_DEFINITIONS.

Related Objects

As documented in the foreign key relationships, PER_POSITION_DEFINITIONS is a pivotal reference table for several major HRMS tables. The key related objects are:

• HR_ALL_POSITIONS_F and PER_ALL_POSITIONS: These core position tables store the position instances and reference the definition via POSITION_DEFINITION_ID.
• PER_MM_POSITIONS: Used in mass move processes, it references a new position definition via NEW_POSITION_DEFINITION_ID.
• PQH_POSITION_TRANSACTIONS: A table from the Position Management (PQH) module that tracks position changes and links to the definition.

These relationships underscore the table's role as the authoritative source for position structure, which is consumed by operational and transactional tables throughout the HR and Position Management lifecycle.