Alternate stages in Pega
Understanding the Use of Alternate Stages in Pega
In Pega, the concept of stages is fundamental to structuring and managing a business process. A stage represents a distinct phase of work within a case, helping to organize and guide the workflow from initiation to completion. However, business processes often require flexibility to handle exceptions and alternate scenarios. This is where the concept of an alternate stages in Pega becomes crucial. Understanding how to use alternate stages effectively can significantly enhance the adaptability and robustness of your Pega applications.
In the below case designer, we see the approval rejection stage, which is called the alternate stage.
Alternate stages perform all the actions that primary stages can do.
The alternate stage’s purpose is to perform transaction processing in a secondary path based on certain conditions.
A case can jump from primary stages to alternate stages at any time by using the smart shape “change stage.”.
What is an alternate stage in Pega?
An alternate stage in Pega is designed to handle exceptions or variations in the primary workflow. While the primary stages define the standard progression of a case, alternate stages provide pathways for handling deviations, such as errors, special approvals, or other non-standard scenarios. These alternate stages ensure that the workflow can adapt dynamically to changing conditions and maintain business continuity.
Importance of Alternate Stages
Exception Handling:
Business processes often encounter exceptions or unforeseen circumstances that cannot be addressed within the standard workflow. Alternate stages allow for these scenarios to be managed effectively, ensuring that cases are not stalled or abandoned due to unexpected issues.
Flexibility and adaptability:
With alternate stages, Pega applications can dynamically adjust to different paths based on real-time conditions. This flexibility is crucial for complex business environments where processes need to be responsive and adaptive.
Improved user experience:
By providing clear pathways for handling exceptions and special cases, alternate stages help to streamline the user experience. Users can easily navigate through different scenarios without confusion or unnecessary delays.
Compliance and Governance:
Alternate stages can be used to enforce compliance and governance rules by routing cases through necessary approvals or checks before proceeding. This ensures that all required steps are followed, even in non-standard workflows.
How to Implement Alternate Stages in Pega
Implementing alternate stages in Pega involves several key steps:
Identify Scenarios:
Identify the scenarios that require alternate stages. These might include error handling, special approvals, or other conditions that deviate from the primary workflow.
Define alternate stages:
In the case designer, define the alternate stages that will handle these scenarios. Each alternate stage should have a clear purpose and associated steps to manage the specific conditions.
Configure Transitions:
Configure transitions between the primary stages and alternate stages. This involves setting up conditions and actions that trigger the movement of a case from a primary stage to an alternate stage.
Implement Change State in Pega:
Use the Change Stage shape in Pega to move cases between stages. The Change Stage shape can be configured with conditions to determine when a case should transition to an alternate stage.
Testing and validation:
Thoroughly test the alternate stages to ensure they handle the specified scenarios correctly. Validate that transitions occur as expected and that the workflow remains seamless and efficient.
Example Use Case: Error Handling
Consider a scenario where a case involves processing a loan application. The primary stages might include application submission, credit check, and approval. However, there could be situations where the credit check fails or they require additional documentation. In such cases, you can implement alternate stages to handle these exceptions.
Primary Stages:
1: Application Submission
2: Credit Check
3: Approval
Alternate Stages:
Stage 4: Error Handling (for failed credit checks)
Stage 5: Document Collection (for additional documentation requests)
When the credit check fails, the case transitions to the error handling stage, where they take specific actions to address the issue. Similarly, if they require additional documentation, the case moves to the document collection stage. Once they resolve the issue or obtain the required documents, the case can transition back to the primary stages to continue the standard workflow.
Best Practices for Using Alternate Stages in Pega
Clear Definition and Purpose:
Ensure that each alternate stage has a clearly defined purpose and consistently serves its intended scenario.
Seamless Transitions:
Configure transitions between stages to be as seamless as possible. Users should understand why a case moves to an alternate stage and what actions they need to take.
Robust Testing:
Test the alternate stages thoroughly to ensure they handle all specified scenarios correctly. This includes testing edge cases and potential errors.
User Communication:
Furthermore, communicate clearly with users about the presence and purpose of alternate stages.
Additionally, document the use of alternate stages and the conditions that trigger transitions. However, this documentation can be invaluable for troubleshooting and maintaining the application, ensuring smooth operations and facilitating future updates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of alternate stages in Pega provides a powerful mechanism for handling exceptions and ensuring that business processes remain flexible and adaptive. By effectively implementing and managing alternate stages, you not only enhance the robustness of your Pega applications but also improve the user experience, and furthermore, ensure the efficient handling of all scenarios. Whether it’s for error handling, special approvals, or other non-standard workflows, alternate stages play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and continuity of business processes in Pega.