How to connect elements in the process diagram

Websphere Business Modeler v6.1 Contact us... Quickstart tutorial 3-How to connect elements in the process diagram

How to connect elements in the process diagram

Introduction Connections specify the chronological sequence of activities in a process. Each task, subprocess, decision, or other element passes control to the next task or element along a connection.

You have already identified the tasks and simple decision required to complete the loan application process at Quickstart Finance. You have shown the yes-or-no decision that must be resolved for every application, and provided appropriate tasks to handle either response. Now you need to connect the various elements in your diagram to accurately depict the current loan application process in your model.

Before you can begin connecting your process elements, you need to make a minor adjustment to your diagram. A start node is created by default when you create a process. A start node identifies the beginning of a process flow whenever it is not started by another process, and is usually used in the top-level process within the project.

Because the process that you are creating starts when it receives input—that is, a loan application—you will not need to use a start node, and you will delete it from your diagram. You will indicate the input to your process by connecting directly to the border of the diagram. You will also require a second terminate node in your diagram so that you can indicate that the process is finished for both possible decision flows.

Step 1

After completing these steps, the process diagram should look like the image on the right.

1. Delete the start node ().
   In the process diagram, right-click the start node () and select Delete.
2. Add another terminate node ().
   To add another terminate node () to the diagram, right-click anywhere in the diagram other than on one of the elements and select New > Terminate. A new terminate node is added to the diagram.
3. Connect Review Loan Application task to Approve Loan? decision
   In the process diagram, hover the mouse inside the edge of the Review Loan Application task (or output branch) to display the connection pointer (). Drag/drop the pointer to the Approve Loan? decision (or input branch) and click again. Notice that there is now a connection between the task and decision, with the arrow indicating which direction data and control will flow.
4. Connect Approve Loan? Yes decision to Disburse Funds task.
   In the process diagram, hover the mouse inside the top edge (Yes label) of the Approve Loan? decision to display the connection pointer (). Drag/drop the pointer to the Disburse Funds task and click again. Notice that there is now a connection between the decision and task, with the arrow indicating which direction data and control will flow.
5. Connect Approve Loan? No decision to Reject Application and Notify Customer task.
   In the process diagram, hover the mouse inside the bottom edge (No label) of the Approve Loan? decision to display the connection pointer (). Drag/drop the pointer to the Reject Application and Notify Customer task and click again. Notice that there is now a connection between the decision and task, with the arrow indicating which direction data and control will flow.
6. Connect Disburse Funds and Reject Application and Notify Customer tasks to separate Terminate nodes
   Use the same process as described earlier (i.e Hover the mouse etc...)
   Connect the input to the process
   Hover the mouse inside the left diagram border to display the connection pointer (). Drag/drop the pointer to the Review Loan Application task task and click again. Notice that there is now a connection
   Connect the output of the process
   Hover the mouse inside the edge of the Disburse Funds task to display the connection pointer (). Drag/drop the pointer to the diagram right border and click again.
   Click File > Save..

Diagram Left border