Workflow Templates

Workflow Templates are a way to speed up the development of new workflow definitions.

They contain a pre-defined workflow diagram with activities and transitions for the process they represent. Rather than starting with the minimal default diagram, a Workflow Template can be cloned to form the starting point of a new workflow definition that will have common characteristics. From this point the new workflow definition's diagram can be refined/extended independently of the template from which it was derived.

• Workflow Templates are read only.
• They can be viewed or cloned; no other operations are allowed.
• They are managed centrally by Cloudset.
• Their number and content are subject to change

The Templates tab

Workflow Templates appear in their own tab within the Flowset Configuration Tool :

• Click this tab to see the latest available workflow templates (1).
• Where available, click the information icon (2) to open a page which describes the template is detail.

The "View" Command

A user can view the workflow diagram for a template, to check its suitability for a new workflow definition.

To view a workflow template, locate its entry on the "Templates" tab.  When you hover over the row in the table the pop up menu icon appears at its right hand end

• Popup menu for "Change Management" template (3).

•  Select the "View" option from the resulting popup menu (4).

A busy indicator may appear briefly whilst the diagram is loaded; then the main management screen is replaced by the diagram editor in read only mode :

• The workflow properties shape confirms the template that was chosen for viewing (5).
• The editor is in read only mode. Note the lack of toolbar buttons (eg for saving) (6).
• Press the Back link to close the editor and return to the templates list (7).
• The stencil sidebar has been removed. Existing shapes can be examined but not changed (8).

The "Clone" Command

The clone operation is very similar to normal cloning of existing workflow definitions, see Cloning Workflows

To clone a workflow template, locate its entry on the "Templates" tab.  When you hover over the row in the table the pop up menu icon appears at its right hand end 

• Popup menu for "Change Management" template (3).

 Select the "Clone" option from the resulting popup menu

• Pick the "Clone" option (9).

 An input modal dialog appears, confirming the operation and source template name :

• After entering a name for the new workflow (10).
• The 'OK' button is enabled.  Click it (11).

The new workflow will be created and you will be taken to the workflow definition editor to start editing the workflow to design the activities, conditions and transitions that make up the workflow.  See Edit Workflows

When you have finished making any changes to the new model, you will return to the workflow definition page with the Inactive Tab selected.  The new workflow will typically be at the bottom of the Inactive list.  The new workflow is locked for the current user to apply further changes as necessary.

• The tool has automatically switched to the Inactive tab (12).
• The new cloned workflow definition has been added to the bottom of the "Inactive" list (13).
• The new definition has automatically been locked for its creator (Alan Byrne) to edit (14).
• The definition has a draft workflow diagram containing a copy of the diagram from the template (15).
• The draft has not yet been published (16).