# Designing Business Processes

## Overview

This chapter discusses the designing of process flows using the Process Design Assistant. The following topics are covered in this chapter:

- Overview

- How It Works

- Usage

- Using the Business Process Window

- Working with Process Definitions

- Working with Tasks

- Specifying attributes

## How It Works

The Process Design Assistant Business Interface Window is an eLink client/server application. Contracts are specified in the Business Interface Window (client) and stored in the Contract Repository database (server). For more information on specifying contracts, see Chapter 3, "Specifying Business Service Contracts." Palettes and templates are then generated from these contracts and appear in the Business Process Window. The Business Process Window is the subject of this chapter.

Operations are converted into tasks during these palette and template generation processes. Operations are only definitions of inputs and outputs. Tasks are more than a definition of inputs and outputs. They have other properties and attributes that allow them to be executed by the Business Process Engine at runtime. (These properties and attributes will be discussed in Chapter 5, "Making eLink Processes Work.") These generated tasks are sequenced with dependencies using the tools within the Business Process Window. The sequenced tasks make up a process flow.

Let us introduce the concept of palettes and templates with an analogy. A palette has a similar function to a painter's palette. Just as a painter fills his palette with the appropriate colors for his painting, we fill our palette with the appropriate tasks for our process flow. A template is like a painter's canvas. Just as he will size and shape the canvas to fit the painting, we must specify certain characteristics of the template we will use for a particular process flow. Once we have done this, we are ready to "paint" our process flow by copying tasks from our palette to our template. Finally, as a painter might choose to finish his painting by creating just the right frame for it, we too have finishing steps for our process flow. These are discussed in Chapter 5, "Making eLink Processes Work."

## Usage

This section provides instructions for generating palettes and templates from contracts and forming the tasks created from those contracts into process flows.

### Generating a Palette

Once you have completed building an interface in the Process Design Assistant Business Interface Window, have exported and then tested all of the operations it contains, you are ready to generate a palette from it. Generated palettes appear in design pads where the tasks they contain can be used to form process flows.

#### Instructions for Generating a Palette

To generate a palette from an interface:

1. Select an interface from the Business Interface Window.

> Figure 4-1 Business Interface Window with Interface Selected

All of the operations contained in the selected interface will be available (and appear on the palette) for use in forming process flows. For example, if you generate a palette from the SimpleOps interface (selected in Figure 4-1), the operations it contains will appear as tasks on the palette.

2. Choose Edit —> Generate Palette from the menu bar

   Or

   Click on the Palette button.

   The Palette Generation Results dialog appears, and a log of the palette generation actions displays in the dialog box.

### Generating a Template

Once you have generated a palette containing the tasks that you want to use in your process flow, you must generate a template from an operation in the Business Interface Window. This template will be the container for your process flow.

#### Instructions for Generating a Template

To generate a template:

1. Select an exported and tested operation from the Business Interface Window.

> Figure 4-2 Business Interface Window with Operation Selected

2. Choose Edit —> Generate Template from the menu bar

   Or

   Click on the Template button.

   The Template Generation Results dialog appears, and a log of the template generation actions displays in the dialog box.

### Opening the Business Process Window

Once you have generated a palette and a template, you must open the Business Process Window so you can form your process flow.

> Figure 4-3 Main Window with Edit Flow button

#### Instructions for Opening the Business Process Window

To open the Business Process window:

1. Choose Edit —> Edit Flow from the Business Interface Window menu bar

Or

Click on the Edit Flow button.

The Login Confirmation Dialog Box appears, shown in Figure 4-4.

> Figure 4-4 Login Confirmation dialog box

### Confirming Login to the Business Process Database

When the Business Process Window opens, you must confirm your login to the Business Process Database. The Login Confirmation Dialog Box will be filled in based on the Business Interface Window login. Click Login to confirm.

### Using the Business Process Window

After the login is confirmed, the login dialog box closes and the Business Process Window appears.

The toolbar provides menu shortcuts. Every button on the toolbar has a corresponding menu option. The buttons on the left side of the tool bar provide access to Business Process Window applications.

The status bar at the bottom of the Business Process Window displays system messages and abbreviated help text.

Table 4-1 shows the buttons that are on the toolbar as you work in the Business Process Window.

> Table 4-1 Design Pad toolbar buttons

Button | Action
| Create a new process definition.*
| Open an existing process definition.
| Change displayed attributes for a task.
| Select or move a task or dependency.
| Create a new task.*
| Create a new dependency between tasks.
| Open the Task User Interface Designer.**

Note: *Tasks and processes must be created as part of the palette and template generation processes to be functional in eLink. The Business Interface Window provides the means for generating these palettes and templates. You can create new tasks and processes with these buttons, but they cannot be used in eLink.

**The Task User Interface Designer is not used in eLink.

## Using the Business Process Window

This section explains how to use and navigate the Business Process Window. The Business Process Window is used for manipulating processes and the tasks that comprise them. You can modify an existing process definition or modify an active process using the Business Process Window.

### Getting started with the Business Process Window

To use the Business Process Window, you must open an existing process definition. The process definition opens on a Design Pad.

The Design Pad window consists of the hierarchy pane on the left, and the task pane on the right, as shown in Figure 4-5.

> Figure 4-5 Design Pad window

The hierarchy pane displays the structure of the process as a whole. When you select a task in the hierarchy pane, its Child tasks (if any) appear in the task pane.

If a task has a subtask, a bracketing icon appears in the hierarchy pane, shown in Figure 4-6.

> Figure 4-6 Icon in hierarchy pane indicating subtasks

If a task has a subtask, a blue triangle icon appears in the task pane next to the task name, shown in Figure 4-7.

> Figure 4-7 Icon in task pane indicating subtasks

Figure 4-8 shows the buttons that appear on the Business Process window toolbar and what those that are used by eLink do.

> Figure 4-8 Buttons on the Process Designer toolbar

The remainder of this chapter explains how to work with the Business Process Window and its sub-windows once the Business Process Window is open.

#### Refreshing the Design Pad display

Occasionally, the Design Pad does not show your most recent change clearly. If this occurs, you can refresh the display.

#### Instructions for Refreshing the Design Pad

To refresh the Design Pad:

Press the F5 key, or choose Window > Refresh.

#### Printing from the Design Pad

You can print the contents of the hierarchy and task panes.

The first page of the printout shows the contents of the hierarchy pane. The printout includes only visible (expanded) tasks; for example, the root task and its immediate children.

The second page shows the graphical representation of the tasks in the task pane. The print out includes all tasks in the task pane, even if some of the tasks are not currently visible (that is, they are scrolled off screen).

In the printout, task icons are represented by boxes. Task names and attributes are displayed above and below each icon box, just like in the task pane. Dependency arrows are also shown.

The task layout is printed on multiple pages if it does not fit on a single page. The pages are organized from left to right and top to bottom.

#### Instructions for Printing the Design Pad Display

To print the Design Pad display:

Choose File > Print.

#### Processes are automatically saved

You can now proceed with other activities immediately because changes in the Business Process Window are saved as you make them. There is no need to explicitly save your work. This ensures that the structural elements of the process are always up-to-date in the database, and that attribute settings are correct.

If you have more design work to do, keep the Business Process Window open. Otherwise, you can close the Business Process Window.

#### Instructions for Closing the Business Process Window

To close the Business Process Window:

Click the in the top left corner of the process map window.

### Defining and changing process structure

Most design activity involving the process structure takes place within the task pane of the Design Pad. Use your mouse to perform the following design and layout operations:

- Add dependencies

- Select and move tasks

You can also copy tasks, and delete tasks and dependencies.

You can switch between layout operations, and "jump" temporarily from one operation to another.

Table 4-2 shows a summary of the design and layout operations.

> Table 4-2 Summary of Design Pad operations

To... | First... | Then...
Select a task | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Click left on the task.
Move a task | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Press and hold the left mouse button and drag task to new location. To move a task while you are in another layout mode, press and hold the Ctrl key and click right.
Copy a task | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Select task, then choose Edit > Copy. Select new parent task and choose Edit > Paste.
Add a dependency | Choose Edit > Create Dependencies | Click left on precedent task, drag to dependent task, and release. To move a task while you are in another layout mode, press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys and click right.
Delete a task or dependency | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Select task or dependency and press the Delete key.
Add a PerformCondition | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Select task, then choose View > Properties. Select the Perform Condition attribute's value and click the button.
Add an IterateCondition | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Select task, then choose View > Properties. Select the Iterate Condition attribute's value and click the button.
Delete a PerformCondition | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Select the task, then choose View > Properties. Delete contents of PerformCondition attribute.
Delete an IterateCondition | Choose Edit > Select and Move | Select the task, then choose View > Properties. Delete contents of IterateCondition attribute.

The section Working with Tasks describes in detail each task operation you can perform in the Design Pad.

### Navigating the process structure

To keep the display manageable, the Design Pad shows only selected parts of the process structure. When you select a task in the hierarchy pane, only its immediate subtasks display in the task pane.

You can navigate the process structure from the hierarchy pane, the task pane, or a combination of both. From the hierarchy pane, you can navigate the process structure and show and hide different parts of the process. From the task pane, you can go only to the next lower level of the process.

#### Instructions for Navigating from the Hierarchy Pane

To navigate from the hierarchy pane:

1. In the hierarchy pane, select the task whose subtasks you want to see. The subtasks appear in the task pane, shown in Figure 4-9. If the task has no subtasks, nothing is displayed in the task pane.

> Figure 4-9 A task with a subtask in the task pane

2. To view the task's subtasks in the hierarchy pane as well as the task pane, double-click the task name or select the task and choose View > Expand. The icon next to the task name changes to indicating that the task is expanded. Figure 4-10 shows an example of an expanded hierarchy pane. When you expand any task (including the Root Task) in the hierarchy pane, its subtasks are displayed in the task pane.

   > Figure 4-10 A task with a subtask in the hierarchy pane

#### Instructions for Hiding a Task's Children in the Hierarchy Pane

To hide a task's children in the hierarchy pane:

Double-click the task name, or select the task and choose View > Collapse. The icon next to the task name changes back to the standard icon.

Note: Collapsing a task in the hierarchy pane often has no effect on the task pane. For example, if you collapse the PSVC_InsideWire task in Figure 4-10, the task pane is unchanged. However, if you collapse a task several levels above that task (for example, the T1 task), the task pane displays the subtasks of that newly selected task.

#### Instructions for Navigating from the Task Pane

To navigate from the task pane:

1. Choose Edit > Select and Move, or click the Select and Move button on the toolbar.

2. Double-click the task's icon to display its subtasks. The task you double-clicked is outlined in the hierarchy pane and its child tasks are displayed in the task pane. Figure 4-11 shows an example of navigating in the task pane.

   > Figure 4-11 Navigating in the task pane

#### Instructions for Navigating from the Property Sheet

To navigate from the Property Sheet:

Click the Task tab of the Property Sheet. Select a task in the Task Name listbox. The Design Pad display moves and centers on that task.

### Working with multiple Design Pad windows

You can open multiple Design Pad windows and work on different parts of the same process or edit several different processes at once. The advantages of working with multiple Design Pad windows are that you can:

- Copy and paste tasks between each window

- Drag and drop tasks from one task pane to another

- View the process structure independently in each Design Pad window

- Compare attributes for different processes

You can open as many additional processes as you want. The Property Sheet tracks task selections only in the active Design Pad.

#### Instructions for Working on Different Parts of the Same Process

To work on different parts of the same process:

Choose Window > New Window. The process opens in another Design Pad and any changes you make in one Design Pad are immediately reflected in the other.

You can open the process in as many Design Pads as you like. The Property Sheet is shared among Design Pads, and tracks task selections only in the active Design Pad.

#### Instructions for Working on a Different Process

To work on a different process:

Choose File > New > Process Definition or File > Open > Process Designer (see for details), or click the or buttons on the toolbar.

#### Copying tasks between Design Pad windows

The procedure for copying tasks between Design Pad windows is similar to copying tasks in a single Design Pad.

#### Instructions for Copying Tasks Between Design Pad Windows

To copy tasks between Design Pad windows:

1. Select a task in the task pane of one Design Pad.

2. Choose Edit > Copy.

3. Go to the other Design Pad and select the new parent task in the hierarchy pane.

4. Choose Edit > Paste.

5. Adjust the task layout, as needed.

#### Using drag and drop between Design Pad windows

You can drag and drop tasks between Design Pad windows as an alternative to cut, copy, and paste. You can drag and drop tasks from one part of a process to another or between processes.

Note: Drag and drop within a process moves the tasks from one part of the process to another. Drag and drop between different processes copies the tasks from one process to another.

There are two ways to drag and drop tasks from one Design Pad to another. The method you choose depends on whether the task pane in the destination Design Pad contains the new parent task. The new parent task does not have to be visible in the task pane, however; when you drag and drop tasks in the Design Pad, the task pane scrolls automatically when you reach the window edge.

#### Instructions for Dragging and Dropping a Task When the Destination Task Pane Contains the New Parent Task

To drag and drop a task when the destination task pane contains the new parent task:

1. Select a task in the task pane on one Design Pad. Do not release the mouse button after selecting the task. The cursor changes to a drag icon.

2. Drag the task to the destination Design Pad and drop it on the icon of the new parent task. A popup menu is displayed from which you can choose the kind of operation you want to perform.

3. Choose one of these options from the pop-up menu:

   - Choose Create Subtask to insert the task and its descendents into the process structure.

   - Choose Cancel to cancel the operation.

     Note: Under some conditions, the Paste Interface option may also appear. This option does not apply to eLink.

     If the Design Pad contains the same process, the task and its descendents move to the new location. If the Design Pad contains a different process, the task and its descendents are copied into the process structure.

#### Instructions for Dragging and Dropping a Task When the Destination Task Pane Does Not Contain the New Parent Task

To drag and drop a task when the destination task pane does not contain the new parent task:

1. On the destination Design Pad, select the new parent task in the hierarchy pane.

2. Go to the other Design Pad and select a task in the task pane, but do not release the mouse button. The cursor changes to a drag icon.

3. Drag the task to the destination Design Pad and drop it on the task pane background (any open area in the task pane).

4. If the Design Pad contains the same process, the Business Process Engine moves the task and its descendents to the new location. If the Design Pad contains a different process, the Business Process Engine copies the task and its descendents into the process structure.

5. Adjust the task layout, as needed.

## Working with Process Definitions

This chapter explains how to use process definitions in your process flow design.

To do this, you must open an existing process definition (template) and make modifications (add tasks from a palette, dependencies between them, parameter assignments, and PerformConditions) to create a process flow.

This section covers this method for forming a process flow. The section of this chapter, Working with Tasks, covers procedures for adding and working with tasks during process design.

### Working with existing process definitions

You can modify an existing process definition and save it under its original name.

Note: A template generated within the Business Interface Window is the only type of process definition that can be formed into a working eLink process flow.

#### Instructions for Preparing to Form a Process Flow

To prepare for forming a process flow:

1. Select File > Open > Process Designer, or click the button on the toolbar. The The Process Query dialog box appears, shown in Figure 4-12. You must use a query to search for the process definition (template or palette).

> Figure 4-12 The Process Query dialog box

2. Select the All eLink Templates query from the Queries listbox.

   The Queries listbox will contain all of the templates generated from the Process Design Assistant Business Interface Window. If no templates appear in the listbox, you must generate one by returning to the Process Design Assistant Business Interface Window and generate a template according to the instructions in the Generating a Template section of this chapter.

3. Click Search, or double-click the query name. The process definitions (templates) found by the query are displayed in the Search Results listbox, shown in Figure 4-13.

   > Figure 4-13 Search results in the Process Query dialog box

4. In the Search Results listbox, select the process you want to open for editing.

5. Click OK or double-click the process name. The Process Query dialog box closes. The process appears in the Design Pad.

6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 but instead of selecting All eLink Templates in Step 2, select All eLink Palettes.

   If no palettes appear in the listbox (Step 2), you must generate one by returning to the Business Interface Window and generate a palette according to the instructions in the Generating a Palette section of this chapter.

### Viewing process attributes

In the Property Sheet, the Process tab (shown in Figure 4-14) displays the name, value, and type of each process attribute.

> Figure 4-14 Process tab of the Property Sheet

Different attributes take different kinds of values: strings, datetimes, durations, and integers. In most cases, you can select a value from a listbox. In others, you must enter the value yourself, in which case you may only enter the right kind of value. For example, you must enter the task Due Date properly or it will not be accepted.

#### Summary of built-in process attributes

Table 4-3 describes the internal process attributes. Some internal attributes have meaning only for process instances; the Property Sheet does not show these attributes for process definitions. Moreover, attributes for process instances are read-only in the Property Sheet. For example, the User Working On attribute indicates who is currently working on a task. The Business Process Engine sets this attribute automatically for each task in a process instance; you cannot change it in the Process Designer.

> Table 4-3 Internal process attributes

Name | Value | Type
Name | name of process | string
Process Creator | name of creator of process | string
Time Created | time the process was created | datetime

#### Validating process definitions

The Business Process Window has validation tools that let you view information about tasks in a process in summary format. When defining processes manually, these tools are necessary to ensure consistency with each definition. However, the eLink Process Design Assistant automates key portions of the procedure, thus removing the need to manually validate definitions.

## Working with Tasks

In this section, you will learn how to copy and modify tasks in a process definition.

### Copying tasks

You can copy a task in the Task pane and paste it anywhere in the process structure.

Note: The task copying most useful with regard to eLink is to copy a task from a palette to a process definition template.

Each copy includes the task and all its descendants, not just its immediate subtasks. When you paste a task, you insert the entire task structure. You cannot copy multiple tasks at the same time.

There are two ways to copy a task:

- Copy and paste

- Drag-and-drop

You can use the drag-and-drop method only between tasks displayed simultaneously in the task pane; in other words, sibling tasks. However, the new parent task does not have to be visible in the task pane; when you drag-and-drop a task, the task pane scrolls automatically when you reach the window edge.

#### Instructions for Copying a Task

To copy a task:

1. Select the task in the Task pane.

2. Choose Edit > Copy. Move the cursor into the hierarchy pane and click the task's new parent, as shown in Figure 4-15.

   > Figure 4-15 Copying a task in the Design Pad

3. Choose Edit > Paste. This inserts the task and all its descendants into the process structure, and displays the task icon(s) in the task pane.

4. Adjust the task layout, as needed.

#### Instructions for Copying a Task with Drag-and-Drop

To copy a task with drag-and-drop:

1. Press and hold your left mouse button over a task in the task pane – do not release the mouse button. The cursor changes to a drag icon:

2. Drag the task to another task in the task pane and drop it on the task icon.

3. A popup menu is displayed from which you can choose the kind of operation you want to perform:

   - Choose Create Subtask to insert the task and its descendents into the process structure. Choosing this option inserts the task and its descendents into the process structure.

   - Choose Cancel to cancel the operation.

### Working with task objects in the Design Pad

In this section, you will learn how to manipulate tasks using the Design Pad interface.

#### Selecting and moving tasks

The select-and-move layout mode is the default mode; you can select and move a task without choosing a command from the menu bar or toolbar. If you have not yet selected another layout mode, you need only to perform the correct mouse action to select or move a task. If you have already chosen another layout mode, you can use special mouse operations to select or move a task without leaving the mode.

#### Instructions for Selecting and Deselecting Tasks and Dependencies

To select and deselect tasks and dependencies:

1. Choose Edit > Select and Move, or click the button on the toolbar.

2. Move your mouse over the task pane. The cursor changes to a selection arrow:

3. Move your mouse over a task icon (or dependency arrow) and click left. Four handles appear at the icon corners, as shown in Figure 4-16.

   > Figure 4-16 Selecting a task in the task pane

4. To deselect the task or dependency, left-click in the task pane background.

#### Instructions for Moving a Task

To move a task:

1. Select the task you want to move.

2. Press and hold the left mouse button. The cursor changes to a drag icon:

3. Drag the task to a new location and release the mouse button.

#### Instructions for Selecting a Task in Another Layout Mode

To select a task in another layout mode:

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key and click right. The cursor changes to a selection arrow:

2. Left-click the task you want to select. Handles appear at the icon corners indicating that the task is selected. The Design Pad returns to the previous layout mode.

#### Instructions for Moving a Task in Another Layout Mode

To move a task in another layout mode:

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key and click right. The cursor changes to a selection arrow:

2. Move the cursor over the task icon and press and hold the left mouse button.

3. Drag the task to a new location and release the mouse button. The Design Pad returns to the previous layout mode.

#### Changing the attribute display

Each task icon in the Design Pad has two display areas:

- The area above the task icon can be set to display the value of any process or task attribute. This field is not editable. By default, the Role attribute is displayed. It is suggested that you change the displayed attribute to the PerformCondition.

- The area below the icon shows the task name.

#### Instructions for Changing the Attribute Display

To change the attribute display:

1. Choose View > Customize, or click the button on the toolbar. The Task Icon Customize dialog box appears, shown in Figure 4-17.

> Figure 4-17 The Task Icon Customize dialog box

2. In the Task Attributes listbox, select the attribute you want to display above each task icon and click OK. You can only select one attribute. The dialog box closes and the attribute field above the task icon is updated with the new attribute value.

#### Naming tasks

You can edit task names when using tasks created manually (for instance, parent tasks into which you are placing eLink-generated subtasks). However, when using eLink, the services that run in the applications connected into the eLink environment depend on the names of the tasks used in the Process Design Assistant Business Interface Window. Therefore, generated tasks must not be renamed in the Design Pad as they will not work properly in the eLink environment.

#### Aligning tasks

You can automatically place and align tasks in rows or columns in the Design Pad using the Snap to Grid menu option.

When you enable Snap to Grid:

- Existing tasks are not automatically aligned unless you previously aligned them.

- Tasks are aligned when you move them.

When you close the Process Designer, the state of the Alignment grid is saved to the initialization file and is resumed at the next session.

#### Instructions for Aligning Tasks

To align tasks:

1. Choose Edit > Snap to Grid and View > Show Grid. An alignment grid appears as a series of light gray intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, shown in Figure 4-18.

> Figure 4-18 Using the alignment grid

#### Instructions for Hiding the Alignment Grid

To hide the alignment grid:

Choose View > Hide Grid.

#### Instructions for Showing the Alignment Grid

To show the alignment grid:

Choose View > Show Grid.

#### Adding dependencies

Dependencies between tasks determine the order in which tasks can be performed.

The Create Dependencies command lets you add dependencies to tasks. You can also add dependencies while performing another layout operation.

#### Instructions for Adding a Dependency Between Tasks

To add a dependency between tasks:

1. Choose Edit > Create Dependencies, or click the button on the toolbar.

2. Move your mouse into the task pane. The cursor changes to a dependency icon:

3. Press and hold your left mouse button on the task you want to create the dependency from.

4. Drag the cursor to the dependent task and release the mouse button. A dependency arrow appears between the two tasks, as shown in Figure 4-19.

   > Figure 4-19 Creating a dependency between tasks

#### Instructions for Adding a Dependency in Another Layout Mode

To add a dependency in another layout mode:

1. Press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys and click right. The cursor changes to a dependency icon:

2. Press and hold your left mouse button on the task you want to create the dependency from.

3. Drag the cursor to the dependent task and release the mouse button. A dependency arrow appears between the two tasks, as shown in Figure 4-19. The Design Pad returns to the previous layout mode.

#### Deleting tasks and dependencies

You can remove both tasks and dependencies from the process structure.

#### Instructions for Deleting Tasks and Dependencies

To delete a task or dependency:

1. Choose Edit > Select and Move, or click the button on the toolbar.

2. Move your mouse into the task pane. The cursor changes to a selection arrow:

3. Select the task icon or dependency arrow you want to delete.

4. Choose Task > Delete, or press the Delete key. The task icon or dependency arrow disappears from the task pane.

   When you delete a task with subtasks, the subtasks are also deleted. When you delete a task with dependencies, the dependencies are also deleted.

### Customizing task icons

You can use customized task icons or your own icons, which can be shared with other users.

If you replace an icon, the icon value is cleared and the new icon is displayed.

#### Adding customized icons to the icon library

You are provided a custom icon library. These icons are located in %IC_HOME%\config\icons. You can use these icons or you can add your own customized icon files to this directory.

If you want to share icons with another user, you and the other user must add the same icon libraries to your icons directory. If you do not have a matching icon library, the default icon appears rather than the customized icon.

The icon files are typically the ICO file type. You can store these icon files in a single location if desired.

#### Changing task icons

When you create a task using the Design Pad, the task is displayed using the current default icon. That icon is associated with the task and is displayed whenever you open that process on your PC.

#### Instructions for Showing or Hiding the Task Icom Palette

To show or hide the Task Icon Palette:

Choose View > Task Icons > Show Palette. To hide the palette, choose View > Task Icons > Hide Palette.

#### Instructions for Changing the Icon for an Existing Task Using the Task Icon Palette

To change the icon for an existing task using the Task Icon Palette:

1. Select the task whose icon you want to change.

2. Choose View > Task Icons > Show Palette. The Task Icon Palette appears, shown in Figure 4-20.

   > Figure 4-20 The default Task Icon Palette

3. Select the icon you want to use.

4. Choose Task > Replace Icon to replace the existing icon with the current icon from the Task Icon Palette.

5. Repeat until you have changed all the task icons that you want customized.

#### Instructions for Adding an Icon to the Task Icon Palette

To add an icon to the Task Icon Palette:

1. In the Task Icon Palette, click right. A pop-up menu appears, shown in Figure 4-21.

> Figure 4-21 The pop-up menu in the Task Icon Palette

2. Choose the Icons menu item. The Select an Icon dialog box appears, shown in Figure 4-22.

   > Figure 4-22 The Select an Icon dialog box

3. Select a library from the Icon Libraries listbox, which displays icons and lets you browse different libraries.

4. Select an icon and click Add to Palette.

5. When you are finished making selections, click Close.

#### Instructions for Removing an Icon from the Task Icon Palette

To remove an icon from the Task Icon Palette:

In the Task Icon Palette, right-click on the icon you want to remove. A pop-up menu appears, shown in Figure 4-21. Choose the Delete menu item.

#### Instructions for Selecting a Default Icon using the Task Icon Palette

To select a default icon using the Task Icon Palette:

In the Task Icon Palette, right-click on the icon you want to become your default icon. A pop-up menu appears, shown in Figure 4-21. Choose the Set Default item from the pop-up menu.

#### Instructions for Setting the Default Icon Using the Select an Icon Dialog Box

To set the default icon using the Select an Icon dialog box:

1. Choose View > Task Icons > Icons. The Select an Icon dialog box appears, shown in Figure 4-22.

2. Select the icon you want to become the default.

3. Click Set Default. The selected icon is displayed under Default Icon: in the lower right-hand corner.

#### Instructions for Using the System Default Icon as Your Default Icon

To use the system default icon as your default icon:

1. Choose View > Task Icons > Icons. The Select an Icon dialog box appears, shown in Figure 4-22.

2. Click System Default. The system default icon is displayed under Default Icon: in the lower right-hand corner, and becomes your default icon.

## Specifying attributes

The Property Sheet lets you view and modify task and process attributes.

### Instructions for Opening the Property Sheet

To open the Property Sheet:

Choose View > Properties. The Property Sheet appears, shown in Figure 4-23. The Task tab displays the name, value, and type of each task attribute.

- If a task is selected in the Design Pad, the Task tab shows the attributes for that task.

- If no task is selected in the Design Pad, the Task tab shows the attributes for the root task of the process you are working on.

  > Figure 4-23 Task page of Property Sheet

#### Instructions for Viewing the Attribute Values for a Task

To view the attribute values for a task:

There are two methods for displaying the attributes of a particular task in the Property Sheet:

- Select the task in either pane of the Design Pad. This is the recommended method. Selecting the task this way enables the tooltip-style floating display of attribute values.

- Select the task in the Task combo box in the Property Sheet. If the task is selected via the combobox, the floating display is not available.

#### Instructions for Setting an Attribute Value or Modifying an Existing Value

To set an attribute value or modify an existing value:

1. Select the task whose attribute values you want to modify, using any of the methods in Instructions for Viewing the Attribute Values for a Task.

2. In the Property Sheet, select the attribute whose value you want to change. (Use the scroll bars, if necessary, to bring the attribute into view.) The default attribute value (if any) appears in the Value field, next to the attribute name.

3. Select a value from the Value listbox. If the attribute does not have a set of predefined values, enter a value in the Value field. Use the correct format for any value you enter manually (see Table 5-3).

4. To reset an incorrect value, click Reset. If the attribute had no previous value, the default value is displayed. If the attribute has no default value, the Value field will be empty.

   Note: You can only reset values that have not been committed to the database. Once you click Enter, you cannot reset the value.

5. To enter the value, click Enter or press the Return key. The new value appears next to the attribute name.

#### Instructions for Adding an Attribute to be Used in a Perform Condition

To add a process attribute to be used in a PerformCondition:

1. Select View --> Properties.

2. Click on the Process tab of the Properties dialog box.

3. Click on the New Attributes button.

   Note: You can only perform Step 3 if you have administrative priviledges for your processes.

4. Select the data type of the attribute that you want to add.

5. Type the attribute name, then click on OK.