Developing Business Process Modeler projects describes how to use appropriate wizards to create the project files for process models and Web applications. This section describes how to design a process template for both types of projects and the differences between them.
After completing the New Process Model or the New Web application wizards, the Business Process Modeler perspective is launched, with the new process template displayed in the Content pane.
If you did not use the Template section in the wizards, then the project opens a blank process template file (with an SPT or an SWT extension) in the Content pane. If you used the Template section, then the process you selected as a template appears in the Content pane.
The Tasks pane provides Shapes, Performers, and other elements that are available for the selected process. The name of the current process template is displayed above the Content pane, and the Content pane tabs at the bottom enable you to view the template diagram, dataslots, performers, or simulation data for the process.
A process template typically consists of a single Start workstep, one or more Activity worksteps, and at least one End workstep. The following procedure describes how to create a process template by adding shapes, connectors, and other component templates to the Content pane.
1. From the Tasks pane, click the Draw Shapes link and then drag any of the listed shapes into the blank Content pane to add them to the process template diagram, beginning with the Start shape ().
a. Select an Activity shape () to represent worksteps performed by a human performer (only for Process Models), an adapter, or a subprocess and drag them into the Content pane. Add more Activity Shapes as required.
b. Similarly, add an End workstep (). The process template must include at least one End workstep.
Similarly, you can add the remaining Shapes depending on your process template requirements.
2. From the Tasks pane, use the Connect Shapes link to connect the worksteps. The worksteps and other shapes contain up to 12 points of connection, enabling you to make multiple connections to worksteps and shapes. For more information on workstep connectors, see Connecting worksteps.
Table 12 lists the operation you can perform to complete the process flow diagram.
3. From the Modeler palette, click the Check Diagram () icon to determine the validity of the process.
If the new process template is not valid, then invalid items are listed in the Problems view; and a message is displayed listing the invalid items. If you have correctly defined the process template, then “The diagram is complete” message appears. Click OK.
4. To save changes to all open projects and files, from the File menu, click Save All.
The major differences between editing functions for a Process Model and a Web application are described below:
There are fewer options in the Tasks pane. Unlike a Process Model, creating phases and Swim Lanes are not supported in Web applications.
There are fewer Shapes available for Web applications. The AND Gateway and Exclusive Or-Join shapes are not supported.
The Alerts tab is not present as this feature is not supported in Web applications.
).
) to represent worksteps performed by a human performer (only for Process Models), an adapter, or a subprocess and drag them into the Content pane. Add more Activity Shapes as required.
). The process template must include at least one End workstep.
) icon to determine the validity of the process.
There are fewer options in the Tasks pane. Unlike a Process Model, creating phases and Swim Lanes are not supported in Web applications.
