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Are you already using the QuickModel feature in your process modelling activities? If your answer is “No..?”, this blog post will show you how to use the QuickModel feature to create diagrams fast and easy, even when you don’t have experience with modelling conventions like BPMN 2.0! This feature helps you to speed up diagram creation by creating the main process path or quickly edit existing BPMN diagrams with low effort.
You can start directly from SAP Signavio Process Collaboration Hub by clicking on the “Create” button and selecting the “QuickModel” option.
Alternatively, you can create a model from SAP Signavio Process Manager by clicking on the “New” button and selecting the “QuickModel” option.
Then, you’ll define the name of the process (“Procure parts”), what is the starting point of the process (“Parts required”) and what is the process’ result (“Parts procured”). On the right-hand side, you can add the process description by filling in the “Documentation” field. If needed, you can attach files or links to any other resources that provide important information about your process. Under “Show more process attributes” you can add process details, specify process maturity level and process owner.
Now it is time to add process steps that happen in between the process start and end event. To do so you simply need to fill in the activities in the table fields. In our example the first step in the column “What?” will be “Fill out purchase order”.
The next thing you need to specify is who performs the task. In this example, that would be “Requesting Department”, as they would be responsible for filling out the purchase order. Then add the second step “Check purchase order”, executed by the procurement department.
QuickModel is connected to the dictionary, the central object management repository in SAP Signavio. Therefore, when you start typing the roles you might see suggested dictionary items to be used in your process model.
You will see how the boxes with the activities will appear under the table visualising your business process in real-time. This is not just visualisation, it is a BPMN 2.0 compliant diagram.
You can add further attributes to the table, like tasks description, IT systems, input and output documents, execution costs and time. By clicking on the wrench icon on the top right side of the activities table, you can add more out-of-the box attributes. There is also the possibility to add custom attributes by the workspace administration. Read the documentation available here to find out how to add more attributes for tasks and other diagram elements.
QuickModel is a powerful tool when you need to create the main path of the process. You can add additional process logic like decisions and parallel sequences or additional BPMN elements in the Graphical Editor.
Let’s add a third step to this process model.
Now you might need to add further activities and gateways to show other potential routes that the process might take. For that you need to switch to the Graphical Editor. Do not forget to save your work by clicking on the “Save” icon on the top left side of the screen before you move to the Graphical Editor.
You will see your process diagram in the new interface. On the left-hand side, you will find a list of BPMN elements that you can use in process modelling. On the right hand-side panel, you will find the process elements attributes.
Not all purchase orders will be created without any errors from the first try. Let’s add a process variation:
1. Move step “Send purchase order” to the right to make some space. For that take your mouse cursor, click and drag over each object you want to select.
2. Add a gateway. Click on the step “Check purchase order” and then among elements that appear around the task choose an icon of an exclusive (XOR) gateway. Click and drag it to the right side.
3. Add an alternative task. Click on the exclusive gateway, choose “Task” and drag it to the first lane to visualise that this task is being performed by the requesting department. Let’s name it “Modify purchase order” and connect it to the task “Check purchase order”.
4. Specify the decision logic. Double click on the exclusive gateway icon and type in the field that appears “Correct?”. Then do the same for an arrow from exclusive gateway to the task “Send purchase order” with the text “yes”. You will see that the second arrow will be automatically named “no”.
Once you are done, save the changes, and open this process model in the QuickModel. You can see that added steps are now visible in the table. The diagram visualisation was also updated.
This video sums up the information shared in this blog. If you found this blog post and video useful, feel free to share both.
You can also read more about QuickModel in the detailed documentation.
If you do not have SAP Signavio license yet, try BPM QuickModel now for free by registering for your 30-day free trial.
