A process template is the blueprint for how a business process is done in your organization. Users can use process templates (usually designed by people with Administrative privileges) to start new process instances.
Users with Administrative privileges can create and manage Process Templates by selecting the Process Templates menu option in the Administration menu dropdown, as shown below. You will then see a list of existing process templates.
Creating a New Process Template
The next step is to define the various aspects of the process template. You can review this tutorial to look at the step-by-step details
Template Configuration
Configure the key elements of the process template when creating the new template.
TemplateID
Provide an ID for the template. The combination of (TemplateID + version) is unique in the system.
Template Name
Assign a name to the process template. The process template name is prominently visible on the Launchpad.
Description
Describe the process template so people coming to the launchpad can learn more about the process and its use and scope.
Process Type (Process Form)
Information related to the workflow is key to business workflow. For example, if you are designing the process for a corrective action request, the information associated with the corrective action request is essential and will be used for data collection/enrichment, review, approvals, workflow rules, and integration with external systems. The data related to the workflow in ZFlow is designed as a Process Form using the MetaData Editor.
Process Number Format
Process number format is used for generating IDs for workflow instances using prefix and sequence numbers. For example, CARPROCESS00000 will create corrective action requests starting with CARPROCESS00001 and continue the numbering sequence as new instances are created.
Start On Creation
Start on creation is an option that allows (when set to Yes) the workflow to start immediately upon creation. It is used most often when certain automated activities need to be executed as initial activities.
Quick Create
The quick create option, when set to Yes, creates the workflow immediately and then allows users to provide information or execute workflow activities.
Sequence Number
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Folders
Additional Folders
Actions
Attachments
Process Form
Process Roles
The next step is to define the process roles. Process roles are used to define which workflow activities are performed which process role. It is a better and more flexible approach than configuring specific users to perform workflow activities.
You can follow the steps shown below to create a new role for the process template
Process Members
Once process roles are defined, you can assign them to specific users within the organization by adding members to the process.
The video below shows how you can add a member to the process template and assign a process role.
Workflow Activities
You can now add Workflow Activities to define the type of workflow activities and the workflow path when a process instance is created using the template.
You can see the possible workflow paths in the picture below.
As part of the anatomy of a workflow activity, we will cover workflow activity creation, edits, and management in detail.
Making Process Template Effective
Once the process template is designed and ready to be used, it needs to be made effective so that people in your organization or the supply chain can use it. The video below shows how to do this.