Create Workflows

Prerequisites

If Workflow Composer is configured to connect directly to the database, Insert and Update permissions for the following database tables are required:

  • WorkflowDefinition
  • WorkflowDefinitionVersion

The permissions are required for the logged in user when using integrated security and for the login credentials (username and password) specified if installing via Installation Manager and integrated security is not used.

Also ensure that you have installed the Activities and Contracts packages applicable to your environment. For more information, see Package Manager.

Workflow Types

Workflow Composer can be used to create the following workflow types:

Sequence

  • Most common type of workflow.
  • Executes a set of child activities according to a single, defined ordering.

Flowchart

  • Typically used to implement non-sequential workflows but can be used for sequential workflows if no FlowDecision nodes are used. Flowchart components include:

    • FlowStep – models one step of execution in the flowchart (simply a wrapper around a standard activity).
    • FlowDecision – branches execution based on a Boolean condition, similar to If.
    • FlowSwitch – branches execution based on an exclusive switch, similar to Switch.

State Machine

  • Allows you to model your workflow in an event-driven manner.

  • Typically used for human workflow scenarios.

  • A state machine can be in one state at any particular time.

    • Initial State – represents the starting point of the state machine.
    • Final State – represents the completion of the state machine.
    • Transition – a directed relationship between two states which represents the response of the state machine to an occurrence of an event.
    • Transition Action – an activity executed when performing a transition.
    • Entry Action – an activity executed when entering the state.
    • Exit Action – an activity executed when exiting the state.
    • Trigger – a triggering activity that causes a transition to occur.
    • Condition – a constraint which must evaluate to true after the trigger occurs for the transition to complete.

    State machine workflow are used with Forms Builder. See help for Forms Builder 3.x.