Artifacts
Go Up to Business Process Modeling Diagram Elements
Artifacts provide additional information about the business process. Using artifacts allows you to add non-standard elements to satisfy a specific need. Since you do not want to alter the basic look-and-feel of a diagram, you can use artifacts to link to the existing events and activities through Associations. Artifacts do not affect the basic Sequence or Message Flow, nor do they affect mapping to execution languages. The Artifacts include: Data Object, Group, Annotation, and the Off-Page Connector.
Data Object
The table below describes the Property View fields available for a Data Object:
Property View | Description |
---|---|
General | |
Name |
Label that appears for an element both in the Model View tree and in the diagram. You can edit this label. |
Categories |
You can add one or more defined Categories that can be used for purposes such as reporting and analysis. |
State |
State is an optional attribute that indicates the impact the Process has had on the Data Object. Multiple Data Objects with the same name may share the same state within one Process. Required for Start: The default value for this attribute is True. This means that the Input is required for the activity to start. If set to False, then the activity may start within the input, but may accept the input (more than once) after the activity has started. Produced at Completion: The default value for this attribute is True. This means that the Output is produced when the activity has been completed. If set to False, then the activity may produce the output (more than once) before it has completed. |
Description | |
A text box where you can enter information describing or defining the project. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Description text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color. | |
Notes | |
A text box where you can annotate the element with additional information. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Notes text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color | |
Properties | |
Name |
Modeler-defined Properties may be added to an activity. These Properties are “local” to the activity and are only for use within the processing of the activity. The fully delineated name of these properties is “<process name>.<activity name>.<property name>”. You can add, edit and delete these properties. |
Type |
Each Property has a Type (e.g., type=”String”). A Property may be of type Set, which allows child Properties. |
Correlation |
If the ConditionType attribute is set to Expression, then the ConditionExpression attribute MUST be defined. Otherwise, it is not valid. This attribute is included for mapping to BPEL4WS. The Property will map to a correlationSet and the child Properties will be properties of that correlationSet. |
Links | |
Add Link |
Opens the Create Link wizard. This wizard allows you to create conceptual or usage links between elements. |
Edit Link |
Opens the property view for the selected link. |
Delete Link |
Deletes the selected link (either the link or the link target). |
Show Selected Links on Active Diagram |
Once you have created a link in the Diagram View, click this icon to display the links for the selected object in the diagram. |
Expand All |
Expands all the nodes in the tree. |
Collapse All |
Collapses all the nodes in the tree. |
Refresh Links |
Updates all the nodes in the Link Report. |
Usage (CRUD) | |
Usage |
The header displays the name of the linked element and the status of the filter (on or off). Receivers: Displays a list of the elements with usages (receivers). You can select multiple receivers in this list and delete all the receivers that are selected. Usage: Displays the usage setting (C, R, U, D). You can change the Usage attributes in this column and this change is reflected in the diagram. For example, you can change a C (Create) type to a U (Update) type. Usage Description: Displays the information entered in the Description text field for the target object of the usage. For example, if a usage was drawn between a task and a Data Store object, the description of the Data Store object is displayed. If there are no links or all the links have been filtered out, you are given the information that “No usages have been defined for this element” in the Receivers column. |
Opens the Create Usage wizard where you can create a new usage. | |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the edit option becomes available. Click this to open the Usage edit tab where you can edit the name of the usage. The default name is “Usage”. You can also change the usage settings (Create, Read, Update, and Delete). | |
Delete |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the delete option becomes available. This action removes the selected receiver from the usage. |
Show Selected Usages |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the Show Selected Usages option () becomes available. Click this icon to display the usage for the selected receiver in the diagram, including the usage settings. |
Filter Receiver Types |
Opens the Usage Report Filter dialog where you can select the types of objects you want included in the Usage Report. |
You can export the Usage (CRUD) reports in the following formats: CSV, HTML, PDF, and RTF | |
Opens the Print dialog where you can select a printer, set preferences, select a page range and number of copies and then print. | |
Refresh Usage |
Updates all the nodes in the Usage Report. |
Impact Analysis | |
Filter Designation |
Indicates whether a Filter has been set for the Impact Analysis Report. Two icons are displayed to the left of the Filter Designation indicator: Click to display the impact analysis information in a tree format. Click to display the impact analysis information in a table format. |
Once you create a link you can create a diagram that is a graphical representation of that link. | |
Opens the Impact Analysis Filter dialog | |
Export |
You can export and save the Impact Analysis report in the following file formats: CSV, HTML, PDF, and RTF. |
|
Opens the Print dialog where you can select a printer, set preferences, select a page range and number of copies and then print. |
Expand All |
Expands all the nodes in the tree. |
Collapse All |
Collapses all the nodes in the tree. |
Refresh |
Updates all the nodes in the Impact Analysis Report. |
Appearance | |
Use these commands to change fonts and element colors. | |
Use these commands to change the shadowing and gradient settings for an element. | |
Use these commands to set the justification for text labels in an element. | |
Diagram Display Options |
Show name: Displays the label of the Association object. This option is selected by default. Show state: Displays the state information you entered in the State text field on the General tab. |
Apply to Diagram |
Applies the formatting changes to all existing data objects on the active diagram. |
Restore Defaults |
Restores the default settings for all changes made in the Appearance tab. |
Set as Default |
All formatting changes made in the Appearance tab become the default settings for new data objects placed in the Diagram View. |
Group
The table below describes the Property View fields available for a Group:
Property View | Description |
---|---|
General | |
Name |
Label that appears for an element both in the Model View tree and in the diagram. You can edit this label. |
Categories |
You can add one or more defined Categories that can be used for purposes such as reporting and analysis. |
Description | |
A text box where you can enter information describing or defining the project. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Description text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color. | |
Notes | |
A text box where you can annotate the element with additional information. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Notes text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color | |
Links | |
Add Link |
Opens the Create Link wizard. This wizard allows you to create conceptual or usage links between elements. |
Edit Link |
Opens the property view for the selected link. |
Delete Link |
Deletes the selected link (either the link or the link target). |
Show Selected Links on Active Diagram |
Once you have created a link in the Diagram View, click this icon to display the links for the selected object in the diagram. |
Expand All |
Expands all the nodes in the tree. |
Collapse All |
Collapses all the nodes in the tree. |
Refresh Links |
Updates all the nodes in the Link Report. |
Usage (CRUD) | |
Usage |
The header displays the name of the linked element and the status of the filter (on or off). Receivers: Displays a list of the elements with usages (receivers). You can select multiple receivers in this list and delete all the receivers that are selected. Usage: Displays the usage setting (C, R, U, D). You can change the Usage attributes in this column and this change is reflected in the diagram. For example, you can change a C (Create) type to a U (Update) type. Usage Description: Displays the information entered in the Description text field for the target object of the usage. For example, if a usage was drawn between a task and a Data Store object, the description of the Data Store object is displayed. If there are no links or all the links have been filtered out, you are given the information that “No usages have been defined for this element” in the Receivers column. |
Opens the Create Usage wizard where you can create a new usage. | |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the edit option becomes available. Click this to open the Usage edit tab where you can edit the name of the usage. The default name is “Usage”. You can also change the usage settings (Create, Read, Update, and Delete). | |
Delete |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the delete option becomes available. This action removes the selected receiver from the usage. |
Show Selected Usages |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the Show Selected Usages option () becomes available. Click this icon to display the usage for the selected receiver in the diagram, including the usage settings. |
Filter Receiver Types |
Opens the Usage Report Filter dialog where you can select the types of objects you want included in the Usage Report. |
You can export the Usage (CRUD) reports in the following formats: CSV, HTML, PDF, and RTF | |
Opens the Print dialog where you can select a printer, set preferences, select a page range and number of copies and then print. | |
Refresh Usage |
Updates all the nodes in the Usage Report. |
Impact Analysis | |
Filter Designation |
Indicates whether a Filter has been set for the Impact Analysis Report. Two icons are displayed to the left of the Filter Designation indicator: Click to display the impact analysis information in a tree format. Click to display the impact analysis information in a table format. |
Once you create a link you can create a diagram that is a graphical representation of that link. | |
Opens the Impact Analysis Filter dialog | |
Export |
You can export and save the Impact Analysis report in the following file formats: CSV, HTML, PDF, and RTF. |
|
Opens the Print dialog where you can select a printer, set preferences, select a page range and number of copies and then print. |
Expand All |
Expands all the nodes in the tree. |
Collapse All |
Collapses all the nodes in the tree. |
Refresh |
Updates all the nodes in the Impact Analysis Report. |
Appearance | |
Use these commands to change fonts and element colors. Note that the element fill command is unavailable for the Group element. | |
Use these commands to set the justification for text labels in an element. | |
Diagram Display Options |
Show name: Displays the label of the Association object. This option is selected by default. |
Line Display Options |
Select the width of the border from the drop-down list. You can select from 1 to 5 pixels. |
Apply to Diagram |
Applies the formatting changes to all existing group objects on the active diagram. |
Restore Defaults |
Restores the default settings for all changes made in the Appearance tab. |
Set as Default |
All formatting changes made in the Appearance tab become the default settings for new group objects placed in the Diagram View. |
Annotation
The table below describes the Property View fields available for an Annotation:
Property View | Description |
---|---|
General | |
Name |
Label that appears for an element both in the Model View tree and in the diagram. You can edit this label. |
Categories |
You can add one or more defined Categories that can be used for purposes such as reporting and analysis. |
Text |
Descriptive text for the Annotation element. |
Description | |
A text box where you can enter information describing or defining the project. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Description text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color. | |
Notes | |
A text box where you can annotate the element with additional information. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Notes text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color | |
Links | |
Add Link |
Opens the Create Link wizard. This wizard allows you to create conceptual or usage links between elements. |
Edit Link |
Opens the property view for the selected link. |
Delete Link |
Deletes the selected link (either the link or the link target). |
Show Selected Links on Active Diagram |
Once you have created a link in the Diagram View, click this icon to display the links for the selected object in the diagram. |
Expand All |
Expands all the nodes in the tree. |
Collapse All |
Collapses all the nodes in the tree. |
Refresh Links |
Updates all the nodes in the Link Report. |
Usage (CRUD) | |
Usage |
The header displays the name of the linked element and the status of the filter (on or off). Receivers: Displays a list of the elements with usages (receivers). You can select multiple receivers in this list and delete all the receivers that are selected. Usage: Displays the usage setting (C, R, U, D). You can change the Usage attributes in this column and this change is reflected in the diagram. For example, you can change a C (Create) type to a U (Update) type. Usage Description: Displays the information entered in the Description text field for the target object of the usage. For example, if a usage was drawn between a task and a Data Store object, the description of the Data Store object is displayed. If there are no links or all the links have been filtered out, you are given the information that “No usages have been defined for this element” in the Receivers column. |
Opens the Create Usage wizard where you can create a new usage. | |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the edit option becomes available. Click this to open the Usage edit tab where you can edit the name of the usage. The default name is “Usage”. You can also change the usage settings (Create, Read, Update, and Delete). | |
Delete |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the delete option becomes available. This action removes the selected receiver from the usage. |
Show Selected Usages |
When you select a Receiver in the table, the Show Selected Usages option () becomes available. Click this icon to display the usage for the selected receiver in the diagram, including the usage settings. |
Filter Receiver Types |
Opens the Usage Report Filter dialog where you can select the types of objects you want included in the Usage Report. |
You can export the Usage (CRUD) reports in the following formats: CSV, HTML, PDF, and RTF | |
Opens the Print dialog where you can select a printer, set preferences, select a page range and number of copies and then print. | |
Refresh Usage |
Updates all the nodes in the Usage Report. |
Impact Analysis | |
Filter Designation |
Indicates whether a Filter has been set for the Impact Analysis Report. Two icons are displayed to the left of the Filter Designation indicator: Click to display the impact analysis information in a tree format. Click to display the impact analysis information in a table format. |
Once you create a link you can create a diagram that is a graphical representation of that link. | |
Opens the Impact Analysis Filter dialog | |
Export |
You can export and save the Impact Analysis report in the following file formats: CSV, HTML, PDF, and RTF. |
|
Opens the Print dialog where you can select a printer, set preferences, select a page range and number of copies and then print. |
Expand All |
Expands all the nodes in the tree. |
Collapse All |
Collapses all the nodes in the tree. |
Refresh |
Updates all the nodes in the Impact Analysis Report. |
Appearance | |
Use these commands to change fonts and element colors. Note that the element fill command is unavailable for the Annotation element. | |
Use these commands to set the justification for text labels in an element. | |
Diagram Display Options |
Show name: Displays the label of the Association object. This option is selected by default. |
Line Display Options |
Select the width of the border from the drop-down list. You can select from 1 to 5 pixels. |
Apply to Diagram |
Applies the formatting changes to all existing annotation objects on the active diagram. |
Restore Defaults |
Restores the default settings for all changes made in the Appearance tab. |
Set as Default |
All formatting changes made in the Appearance tab become the default settings for new annotation objects placed in the Diagram View. |
Off-Page Connector
The table below describes the Property View fields available for an Off-Page Connector:
Property View | Description |
---|---|
General | |
Name |
Label that appears for an element both in the Model View tree and in the diagram. You can edit this label. |
Categories |
You can add one or more defined Categories that can be used for purposes such as reporting and analysis. |
Description | |
A text box where you can enter information describing or defining the project. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Description text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color. | |
Notes | |
A text box where you can annotate the element with additional information. Right-click text to open a shortcut menu. You can cut, copy, paste, and delete selected text within the Notes text box. You can paste plain text from external applications. You can undo any action and you can select all text by pressing Ctrl+A. The following formatting options are available for the text: Bold, Italics, Underscore, and Strikethrough. You can also change the font color as well as the background color | |
Appearance | |
Use these commands to change fonts and element colors. Note that the element fill command is unavailable for the Group element. | |
Use these commands to change the shadowing and gradient settings for an element. | |
Use these commands to set the justification for text labels in an element. | |
Diagram Display Options |
Show name: Displays the label of the Association object. This option is selected by default. |
Apply to Diagram |
Applies the formatting changes to all existing off-page connectors on the active diagram. |
Restore Defaults |
Restores the default settings for all changes made in the Appearance tab. |
Set as Default |
All formatting changes made in the Appearance tab become the default settings for new off-page connectors placed in the Diagram View. |