This section deals with sample application scenarios with scope for using Skelta Workflow.NET 2004.
I. Scenario 1: Selecting resources for group approval during runtime
Let us consider a scenario where one resource has to select a set of resources for carrying out some action. For example, some of these resources could be selected for approving a document and take up the rest of the actions and some resources for reading and checking the document, without taking any further action. Two approaches could be considered to address the above scenario.
Approach 1:
The ResourceSet action can be used to solve this scenario. This action is used to dynamically select a resource at runtime to assign the next set of actions.
Let us assume that Kevin is the Project Manager heading a team of five Senior Developers. In this scenario, let us assume that he has to select resources i.e., Senior Developers for checking and reading documents. Using Skelta Workflow.NET 2004, you can create a workflow to automate this. In the Process Designer, do the following:
1) In the Start action, declare two variables as shown below:
i. 'ReadResourceArray' as Array type.
ii. 'CheckResourceArray' as Array type.
2) Drag and drop the Approval action.
i. Set the To property to 'FirstName=Kevin'.
ii. Link the Start action to the Approval action.
3) Drag and drop the Information action.
i. Set the To property of Information1 to 'FirstName =Ken'.
ii. Link the Approval action to the Information1 action.
4) Drag and drop the ResourceSet action. This action is used to select the resource for reading the document.
i. Set the To property to 'FirstName=Kevin'.
ii. Set the SetVariable property to 'Variable.ReadResoureArray'.
iii. Set the FilterResource property to Designation=Senior Developer'.
iv. Save the action.
v. Link the Start action to the ResourceSet1action.
5) Drag and drop the Information action.
i. Set the To property of Information2 to 'UserId—In—Variable.ReadResourceArray.
ii. Link the ResourceSet1 action to the Information2 action.
6) Drag and drop another ResourceSet action. This action is used to select the resource for checking the document.
i. Set the To property to 'FirstName=Kevin'.
ii. Set the SetVariable property to 'Variable.CheckResoureArray'.
iii. Set the FilterResource property to Designation=Senior Developer'.
iv. Save the action.
v. Link the Start action to the ResourceSet2action.
7) Drag and drop the Information action.
i. Set the To property of Information3 to 'UserId –In—Variable.CheckResourceArray.
ii. Link the ResourceSet2 action to the Information3 action.
Now the Process Designer will appear as shown in the diagram below:
Scenario 1 - Figure 1
8) Deploy the workflow.
9) Execute the workflow or submit the application.
10) Open Kevin's activity list to view the activities assigned. Three actions will be added to his activity list – the Approval action and the two ResourceSet actions.
Kevin’s activitylist page will appear as shown below:
Scenario 1 - Figure 2
The ResourceSet action to select the resource for reading the document will be as shown below:
Scenario 1 - Figure 3
11) Select the resources, and click the Proceed button. Then the variable 'ReadResourceArray' gets initialized and it stores the Userids of the selected resources.
The ResourceSet action to select the resource for checking the document will be as shown below:
Scenario 1 - Figure 4
12) Select the resources and click the Proceed button. Then the variable 'CheckResourceArray gets initialized and it stores the Userids of the selected resources.
Approach 2:
The second possible approach is to create your own Action i.e., a custom action, which must implement the IActionRun interface method. This custom action should be configured in the ..\\Skelta\Workflow.Net\WorkflowElements\Default\En-us\Action\Xml\Actions.Xml file.