The ability to quickly design and model a complete, ready-to-use business process is a basic requirement for a modern Low-Code Development platform. Meeting this condition depends mainly on the tools and mechanisms offered by the platform of this class. To make good use of the platform’s capabilities, it is important to apply rules that affect the speed and effectiveness of modeling. The combination of these two elements – a platform that allows you to model processes along with a modern user front-end, decision logic, cross-system integration and documents, and a good roadmap, is critical to the effectiveness and success of our project.
The answers to these and other questions can be found in this article.
Where to start with process modeling?
The first step on the way to fast and correct business process modeling is good identification of the process. The result of the identification should be a map showing the tasks in the form of a flow chart.
The advantage of the graphic representation of the process is its readability for people of different profiles – from specialists realizing the process, representatives of the business and IT departments, to outsiders.
Mapping is implemented “from the general view to the details”, starting with a general map with the beginning, the most important steps and the end of the process. This allows for a clear visualization of the process and then the necessary approvals for its implementation.
„Designing processes in the visual editor of Ferryt platform using BPMN 2.0 notation is intuitive and easy to implement. The result of the work is understandable for everyone.”
For efficient implementation of the business analysis stage and the process design stage, it is crucial to use user-friendly tools. In the case of the Ferryt platform, the skeleton and logic of the process flow are created in a visual designer with the use of BPMN 2.0 notation. Thanks to this, individual design activities are intuitive and easy to implement, and the effect of work is understandable for everyone.
Detailing the process design
In the next step of process design, the details of the process and the elements used are completed. In order to obtain the appropriate accuracy, it is advisable to separate the subprocesses.
In a case when the works concern the process already functioning
in an organisation, it is necessary to make a comparison with the actual course of the process. It is necessary to confirm that the individual steps and tasks are appropriate and described
in an appropriate order.
Detailed process design includes:
- order of tasks and their contractors
- input data and documents
- documents and records created in the process
- Interface points with other systems and applications
- resources to support the process
- e-mail and SMS communication
Data model – the basis of a well-functioning process
After preparing a detailed and well-described process map, you need to define the data model that will be used in the process.
This is an important part of the solution because a well-designed data model is the basis for further development of the application to meet the expectations and requirements of business users.
„Ferryt allows you to design one global data model or several dedicated models”
In the case of the Ferryt platform, it is possible to design one global data model or several models dedicated to different business areas or processes managed in the application. It is possible to incorporate data coming from other systems, without the need to migrate and store them permanently in Ferryt.
User interface preparation
Important part of the process, often decisive for the usability of the solution, is designing how the collected and described data will be presented on the application screens. Interface screens of computer and mobile device users should be designed in a designer using WYSIWYG technique.
Such a solution is used
in the Ferrite platform. This makes it possible to create ergonomic and visually appealing user interfaces quickly.
Screens can be differentiated for different user profiles. When designing, it is a good idea to take care of the detailed specification of the screens.
Screen design should include:
- field names
- field layout
- division into steps and sections
- displayed prompts and messages
- actions/buttons
- presentation of the element in communication channels
The summary takes into account the description of each field on the screen, including: its name, data type, format, dictionary, editable – required, comments.
Easy integration of the solution into the environment
If the mapped process has contact points with other systems, applications or external data sources, it is necessary to specify the services which will allow it to integrate with them. Having a list of services used in the process, it is worth specifying the type of service, input and output parameters, a sample call, a business description and error handling.
Fast and automated integration into the environment requires tool support. With the Ferrite platform, interfaces are available as simple functions, making design work much easier for those modeling the process.
”On the Ferryt platform, interfaces are available as simple functions. Using them comes down to providing input and output parameters”
Using these functions comes down to input and output parameters, which requires no computer knowledge.
Data exchange between users
Practically every business process requires data and information exchange between users. Documents generated from the system are shared, e-mails or SMS messages are sent.
In the case of the Ferryt platform, this area is provided with a simple to use, but functionally advanced, WYSIWYG class tool.
They are used to configure templates for generating documents, emails and SMS. Using these tools you can create even the most complex templates for different types of documents.
To prepare a useful specification of document templates, a number of elements must be characterized. It is also useful to indicate the business logic between the process steps and the document template. Similar elements are defined
in the case of e-mail and SMS message templates specification.
Document template specifications include:
- the exact content of the document
- dynamic fields
- data sources
- file format
- visual and editorial design of the document
- links to the process
Rapid process modeling using prepared components
When you have a process concept prepared in this way that is complete and meets the business need, you can begin detailed process modeling. For the Ferryt platform, the process logic and business operations can be created without coding, using the BPMN 2.0 notation.
Fast and simple methods can be used to connect logic to designed screens, data model and external systems. Process Designer gives you a numerous set of ready-to-use controls with which you can perform complex programming operations without IT expertise.
Comprehensive process management
Ferryt allows you to analyze, model, simulate, and run processes in real time. During the operation of the implemented process, the platform monitors its operation and makes measurements. As a result, based on the collected information it is possible to continuously optimize the implemented processes.
Summary
Process modeling is often a rather complex process, with many options to choose from and the risk of making mistakes or falling into into various traps. Well conducted preparation for modeling and the use of proven tools speeds up the process and reduces the risk of not meeting the requirements. It is like baking a favorite cake based on a proven and well-described recipe, with the difference that in the case of a cake, it may turn out to be a bit bitter,
The difference is that the dough may turn out bad, but the process modeled according to rules will work.
