IBM FileNet P8, Version 5.2.1            

Inheritance example

This example uses a very simplified claims processing activity to illustrate inheritance in derived workflows.

This example business handles three different types of insurance claims—Auto, Aircraft, and Boat. Processing tasks for these claims have many similarities, but there are differences that make it desirable to use a separate workflow for each type of claim. Therefore, we have a base workflow that contains tasks shared by all processes, and we will create three specialized workflows—one for each type of claim—that contain the shared processes inherited from the base workflow.

ClaimsBase workflow

The ClaimsBase workflow contains submaps for two basic tasks used for all claims processing: Evaluate policy, and Print letter. It will be the base workflow for the three new workflows designed to process the specific types of claims. Note that the workflow (main) map is not important in this base workflow definition—it will be overwritten in each derived workflow definition.

Workflow Properties:
Data fields: baseClaimNumber, baseCustomerID, basePolicyID
Attachments: baseCustomerPolicy, baseLetterTemplate, baseClaimForm
Submap - EvaluatePolicy:
Retrieve and confirm the actual policy coverage based on the basePolicyID.
Step ConfirmPolicy:
Data fields: baseCustomerID, basePolicyID, baseClaimNumber
Attachments: baseClaimForm, baseCustomerPolicy
Submap - PrintLetter:
Print a letter (Approval or Denial) to the customer.
Step Print:
Data fields: baseCustomerID, baseClaimNumber
Attachments: baseLetterTemplate

BoatClaims workflow

The BoatClaims workflow is based on the ClaimsBase workflow, so it includes read-only submaps EvaluatePolicy and PrintLetter.

Workflow Properties:
Base workflow: ClaimBase
Note that although the data fields, attachments, and workflow groups defined in the base workflow do not display in the workflow properties, we can access them as parameters at any step in the workflow.
Main map
Step GetInfo:
Parameters (accessed via Modify on the Parameters tab):
  • Data fields: baseCustomerID, basePolicyID, baseClaimNumber
  • Attachments: baseClaimForm, baseCustomerPolicy
Step Submap Evaluate: (inherited)
Step Investigate:
Parameters:
  • Data fields: baseCustomerID, basePolicyID, baseClaimNumber
  • Attachments: baseClaimForm, baseCustomerPolicy
Step Submap PrintLetter: (inherited)
Any additional steps as appropriate for the BoatClaims workflow


Last updated: March 2016
bpfwd033.htm

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