You can add a note (a Sticky Note, an Annotation, or a Group notation) to any element in a process template diagram. Sticky Notes and Annotations generally have the same functions, and they only differ in visual representation. You can use a Sticky Note or Annotation to indicate specific features or conditions, or as prompts or reminders for other users (for example, Must be reviewed by all managers). Use the Group notation to select and insert a caption that:
Describe a group of worksteps that share a similar task (for example, all activities performed by the HR Department in Hiring), or
Require the same performer (for example, highlighting all worksteps Performed by Managers Group in HR Department).
To insert a note into a process:
1. Click the Create Annotations link in the Tasks Pane and drag the Sticky Note (), Annotation (), or Group notation () shape into the Content pane. You can also drag and drop any of these notes onto a workstep or other shape, which creates a connection between it and the note.
2. Click the note to view its properties in the Properties view.
a. In the General tab, you can change the appearance of the note (for example, Sticky Note to Group). Use the Type drop-down list to specify the new type for the existing note.
b. Click View/Edit link to open the View/Edit dialog box, in which you can enter the text of the note, or the grouping’s caption in the text area. For a Group notation, enter a caption for the group association (for example, Review all grouped worksteps). Use the toolbar icons to format the text as needed.
c. You can also check the spelling and insert a link, by right-clicking the text area and selecting the appropriate options. For instance, to add a link to a note, select Insert > Link to open the Link Properties dialog box. Specify the text to be used as the hyperlink and the URL.
d. Click OK to apply the changes to the selected note and return to the Properties view.
e. From the Background section, you can select a background color only for Sticky Notes. You cannot change colors for Annotation and Group notations. You can also click More to display more color options.
You can also change the background color of Sticky Notes by selecting the sticky notes in your Content pane and then clicking the Color (
) icon from the Modeler palette. From the color palette, you can select one of the listed colors, or click More to open the Color Chooser dialog box (Creating swim lanes) to define your custom color.
f. From the Associate With: drop-down list, you can associate the Sticky Note or Annotation notation with a specific workstep by selecting from the worksteps listed. To disassociate a note from a workstep, select (none) from the drop-down list.
After defining the property of the note, the notes now appear in the process template diagram.
3. Use your cursor to move or resize the Sticky Note, Annotation, or Group notation as required.
Describe a group of worksteps that share a similar task (for example, all activities performed by the HR Department in Hiring), or
), Annotation (
), or Group notation (
) shape into the Content pane. You can also drag and drop any of these notes onto a workstep or other shape, which creates a connection between it and the note.
) icon from the Modeler palette. From the color palette, you can select one of the listed colors, or click More to open the Color Chooser dialog box (Creating swim lanes) to define your custom color.