Modeling Processes with Flow Rules

You can use Pega Express and the Case Designer to create and configure basic process flows used in a business transaction. In Pega, each process in the Case Designer is an instance of a flow rule. For more advanced flow configuration, such as adding multiple connectors to a shape or adding a decision to a process, you must configure the process by editing the flow rule.

Flow Rules

A Case Designer or Pega Express step is part of a process that acts on a case.

In Pega, each process is a flow rule.

A flow models a business process by using graphical shapes to define a sequence of events.

Pega automatically creates and maintains a flow rule for each process added in the Case Designer or Pega Express.

 

Standard Flow Shapes: Assignment

During a process, a user may need to perform a task.

Provide information (provide an address, add items to an order)

Select an outcome (submit information, cancel an order)

In a flow, a task performed by a person is represented by an assignment shape.

Standard Flow Shapes: Decision

Automated decisions allow an application to determine how to advance case processing.

Pega evaluates decision logic to branch the process.

In a flow, an automated decision is represented by a decision shape.

A decision shape references a decision rule.

A decision rule describes the logic of the decision.

Standard Flow Shapes: Utility

System actions are performed by Pega without human intervention or a decision.

Changing the stage of the current case

Creating a new case

In a flow, a system action is represented by a utility shape.

Pega also provides preconfigured smart shapes for common system actions. These are also available in the Case Designer and Pega Express.

Standard Flow Shapes: Subprocess

Portions of a process can be divided into a smaller process, called a subprocess.

These are common processing steps used in more than one process or case type.

A subprocess called from a flow is represented by a subprocess shape.

Subprocess smart shapes provide customizable processes for case approvals and duplicate item searches.

Standard Flow Shapes: Start and End

Each flow contains a single start point to represent the beginning of the process.

The start point is represented by a green circle called a start shape.

A flow may include one or more end points to represent the potential outcomes of a process.

An end point is represented by a red circle called an end shape.

Connectors

Each flow shape connects to other flow shapes through the use of a connector.

Represented as an arrow

Indicates a possible outcome for an event

Assignment Connectors

A connector that leads from an assignment represents an action that users can perform to complete their task.

Approve

Reject

This action, called a flow action, indicates the UI displayed for the user when performing the action.

Decision Connectors

A connector that leads from a decision shape represents the possible results of the decision.

Approved

Rejected

Requires audit

The name of each decision connector matches one of the results of the decision rule.

Modeling a Process in a Flow

When Pega runs a process, processing begins with the Start shape and follows the connectors from shape to shape until reaching the end of the process.

If a shape has one or more connectors, the process branches based on either user selection or the result of an automated decision.

The Case Designer and Pega Express model processes where each step provides a single outcome.

To model multiple outcomes for a step, you must edit the flow rule.

The flow rule provides additional shapes that require multiple connectors, and allows you to add additional connectors to flow shapes.

The Diagram tab of a flow rule displays a process in graphical form.

To model a process, add shapes to the Diagram tab and connect the shapes by drawing connectors to indicate the sequence of events in the process.

Draft Mode

Draft mode allows you to bypass validation of your flow configuration during application development.

Add connectors and flow shapes that reference rules, even if those rules do not yet exist.

Run a process even if rules are missing.

Useful during Grooming/Elaboration sessions to document a process.

Case Designer and Pega Express flows are automatically in draft mode.

Flows in draft mode do not run in released applications.

A flow with draft mode enabled generates a warning.

Disable draft mode as you complete flows, prior to releasing the application.

To disable draft mode for a flow rule, click Draft on the toolbar.

When draft mode is disabled, the button label updates to Draft off.