Some process flows are relevant to all engineering change requests, irrespective of the change type. These process flows are controlled by means of the system status.
For example, an engineering change request (ECR) must be converted to an engineering change order (ECO) before you can change objects with reference to the change number.

The process is controlled by the system status in the following way:

• The process flow of the status objects is controlled by a defined status network.

• The status network provides a framework for all business transactions - from the opening of an engineering change request through to order release.
• The status network is defined internally. You cannot change the interdependencies between the individual system statuses.
• In any processing situation, the system determines the statuses that you can currently set.

• The system creates status objects in the following situations:

• When you create an ECR, the system automatically creates a status object for the ECR.
  The system is set to Open. You set all further statuses.
• When you enter a management record for the change object (for example, BOM), the system automatically creates a status object for this change object.
  The system is set to Open. You set all further statuses.