IBM FileNet P8, Version 5.2.1            

Validate, transfer, and launch a workflow definition or workflow collection

Process Designer provides tools for validating and testing a workflow definition or collection before it makes them available for general use. The Validate tool checks the workflow definition or specified items in the workflow collection for errors, such as missing workflow name, and invalid expressions and routing conditions. The Transfer tool transfers the workflow definition or specified items in the workflow collection to the workflow system and converts them to an executable form. The Launch tool runs the open workflow definition or the main workflow in the workflow collection directly from Process Designer, rather than from the object store or library.

See Security considerations in the individual topics: Validation results, Transfer the workflow definition, and Launch from Designer.

Validation

To make workflows as error-free as possible, a validation process checks a workflow definition or specified items in the workflow collection before it is transferred to the workflow system database. Process Designer provides an integrated validation tool, which detects any errors and shows the step or route where the error occurs, making it relatively easy to correct any problems. Workflow system also validates a workflow definition or collection as it is transferred to the workflow system database.

The following actions invoke the validation process:
Actions Options to perform actions

Validating the workflow definition or workflow collection.

  • Validate Workflow from the Action menu
  • Validate Workflow Collection from the File menu
  • Validate Main Workflow tool on the Process Designer toolbar

Transferring the workflow definition or workflow collection to the workflow database. For more information, see Workflow definition transfer.

  • Transfer Workflow from the Action menu
  • Transfer Workflow Collection from the File menu

Launching the current workflow definition or launching the main workflow. Doing so automatically transfers the workflow definition to the workflow database.

  • Launch Workflow from the Action menu
  • Launch Main Workflow from the File menu
  • Launch Main Workflow tool in the Process Designer toolbar

Creating a Workplace subscription. (Workplace or Workplace XT)

 
Important: You can disable workflow validation before a transfer or launch in the Preferences dialog box (Settings menu). However, validation always occurs by workflow system as part of the transfer process. Validation in Process Designer makes it easier to find and correct any problems before you transfer the workflow definition or collection.

Transfer

A workflow definition must be transferred to the workflow system database in order to run. You can use the Transfer tool on the Process Designer toolbar to manually the following workflow definitions:
  • The current workflow definition
  • All workflow definitions in the workflow collection that are specified to be included in the transfer in Workflow Properties > Advanced tab.
If you launch a workflow from Process Designer, the workflow definition or specified items in the workflow collection are transferred automatically.

To transfer the current workflow definition

To transfer the workflow collection

Launch

During development of a workflow definition, it is convenient to test the workflow by launching it directly from Process Designer. This action displays the launch processor where you can specify any required data, attachments, or workflow groups. Once the workflow is working smoothly, you can create subscriptions or links as appropriate for your system to launch the workflow automatically without Process Designer. See Launch from Designer for additional information.

To launch the current workflow definition

To launch the main workflow in the workflow collection



Last updated: March 2016
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