Initiate Workflow Process
Workflow templates are typically initiated as part of a life cycle template. However, you can manually initiate a workflow using the Initiate workflow process action available from the workflow Templates table.
When the workflow template is initiated, an instance of the workflow template (called a “workflow process”) is created and interprets the workflow template to perform the following:
• Deliver
tasks to designated workflow team members
• Invoke applications
• Initiate subprocesses
• Interact with other systems such as directory services and email servers
You can then associate the workflow process with a business object (such as a part or a document) and tailor the workflow process to meet your needs. In general, this process is most useful in testing. Most workflow processes are associated with an object through their life cycle template.
The fields on the Initiate Process page have the following functions:
1. From the workflow Templates table, select Initiate workflow process from the right-click actions menu.
2. From the Initiate Process window, complete the following fields:
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Process Name
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An instance of a workflow template is called a “workflow process.” Use this field to specify a name for the process you are initiating.
This is the only required field.
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Team Template
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Process roles can be mapped to groups, users, actors, or roles. Often it is most practical to use this mapping, as it reduces the number of process definitions required. Role-to-role mappings are resolved at runtime, based on workflow roles and the roles associated with the team you select.
• Type the name of the team and use the drop-down menu to view a list of suggestions.
• Click Find to view all available teams and select a team from Select team template window.
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Process variables display values for variables specific to the chosen Team Template. You may edit the variables and their default values in the Process Variables section. Process variables can be defined as read-only or an editable value.
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Delay Start
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Select Delay Start to delay the start of the process. The initiation of the workflow process is delayed from the time Start Process is clicked.
You must specify how long to delay starting the process.
For example, you could enter 24 and then select hours. If you clicked Start Process at noon on a Monday, the workflow process would start at noon the next day, Tuesday.
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3. Use the Primary Business Object fields to associate a business object with the process.
Associating an object provides a subject object for participants. For example, you might want participants to review a design document at one or more points within a design phase. Therefore, you would associate that document with the appropriate workflow template in order to provide the subject object for process tasks.
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Primary Business Object
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One way to find a primary business object from the drop-down menu is to manually type the required lifecycle managed product in the Recently Accessed List.
Objects are added to this list after you have clicked Start Process.
Alternately, you can copy the lifecycle managed object and click Paste to insert the primary business object.
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Type
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Select an object type from the drop-down list.
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Name
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Enter the object number or use a wildcard character (*) to view a list of partial matches. Click Retrieve. Find target object window opens with multiple attribute fields.
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If there are no matches, a warning message pops up.
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Number
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Enter the object number or use a wildcard character (*) to view a list of partial matches. Click Retrieve.
Find target object window opens with multiple attribute fields.
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If there are no matches, a warning message pops up.
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Version
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If you are searching for a specific version of the target business object, you can either specify that version or check the Use latest box to request the most recent version.
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If the Retrieve operation is taking too long, click Stop to abort the search.
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4. Complete the following fields:
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Due On
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To specify the date and time by which this workflow process must be completed, select Due On. Use the date picker to fill in the date (YYYY/MM/DD) and enter time (H/M/S) in GMT format.
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Due In
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To specify the amount of time allowed to complete this workflow process after it has started, select Due In.
You must specify how much time the workflow is allowed.
For example, you could enter 48 and then select hours. If you clicked Start Process at noon on a Monday, the workflow would be due at noon the following Wednesday.
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The allowed time will begin when the workflow process actually starts, not necessarily when Start Process is clicked. That is, if a delayed start has been defined, the allowed time will begin to accrue only after the delay has expired.
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Priority
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Choose a priority setting for the workflow process.
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Description
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This field display the description provided in the workflow template definition. You can update this description to provide information specific to the workflow process instance.
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5. Click Start Process or Cancel.
