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Process Reference  
Process Designer
Getting Started
Workflow Properties
Steps
Routes
Validate & Launch
  Validate using the Validate tool
  Preferences - workflow
  Create a valid workflow map
  Launch a workflow from Process Designer
   

Create a valid workflow map

Following is a partial list of the rules that are enforced during workflow validation.

  • The workflow starts at the launch step; all steps must be reachable from the launch step.
    Invalid map with steps that cannot be reached

    Two steps cannot be reached: the step at the lower left is not connected by any route; from the last step on the right, the route goes in the wrong direction so the step could never be reached.

  • Maps must be properly/fully nested with regard to AND-splits and AND-joins, which means that all of the following must be true:
    • For each AND-split step, there must be one AND-join (collector) step.

      If you selected "All true conditions" as the outgoing routing for a step (thus specified an AND-split), you must specify a subsequent step in the path as a "Collector Step" (an AND-join) to define a valid workflow. The AND-join step can immediately follow the AND-split step, or there can be one or more steps in between.

      Valid map with all routes from a split meeting at a join step

      All three routes from the Split will meet at the Join.

    • All paths from the AND-split step can meet at the AND-join step, or one or more paths can terminate—that is, end without going to the AND-join step. (A path is defined as a sequence of contiguous routes that can be followed between a set of steps.)

      Valid split with one path terminated before join step

      One path from the Split terminates at step A, but the paths with steps B and C proceed to the collector step (Join). Note that at least one path from the Split must go to the Join.

    • A path that passes through an AND-split step cannot return to that step without first passing through the corresponding AND-join step.

      Invalid route with one path returning to split

      The cycle from step C back to the Split is not valid. Any path from C must pass through the Join.

    • A path that passes through an AND-join step cannot return to that step without first passing through the corresponding AND-split step.

      Invalid route with step passing only through join

      The cycle from step D to the Join is not valid. To create a valid cycle, the path must first pass through the Split.

    • All paths that pass through an AND-join step must first pass through the corresponding AND-split step.

      Invalid route connecting directly to join step without passing through split step

      The path from step D is not valid because it did not first pass through the Split.