Flow in Pega and Flow action in Pega

In Pega, flow in Pega and flow action in Pega are key components used in designing and managing business processes within the Pega platform. Here’s a detailed explanation of both.

Flow in Pega

 

Additionally, In Pega, a flow visually represents a business process. It defines the sequence of steps or tasks required to complete a particular business process. Developers create flows using the flow rule form, typically represented as diagrams in Pega’s flow editor.

Creating a Flow

To create a flow in Pega, follow these steps:

1. Access Flow Rule Form: Navigate to the Designer Studio, then to the App Explorer, and create a new flow rule.
2. Design the Flow: Use the flow editor to design the flow by dragging and dropping shapes (start, assignment, decision, etc.) onto the canvas.
3. Configure Flow Shapes: Each shape in the flow requires configuration. For example, an assignment shape must specify the user or work queue to which it will assign tasks, while a decision shape must define the logic for routing.

Flow Shapes

• Start Shape: The entry point of the flow.  It executes as the first shape.
• Assignment Shape: This represents tasks that need to be performed by users. It holds flow actions.
• Decision Shape: Used to branch the flow based on conditions. For example, if a leave request is for more than 10 days, it might need additional approval.
• Subprocess Shape: Calls another flow. This allows for modular  however, reusable flow designs.
• Utility Shape: Executes automated tasks like sending emails, updating databases, or calling external systems.
• End Shape: Marks the termination of the flow.  You can use multiple end shapes to indicate different end states.

Furthermore, flows automate business processes by ensuring tasks follow a specific order. Furthermore, they can handle branching, looping,  however, other complex process logic.

 Flow action in Pega

A flow action in Pega represents a specific action or task that a user or system can perform as part of a flow.  Flow actions link to assignments in a flow to determine the form or UI presented to the user and the processing that occurs upon action completion.

Creating a Flow Action

1. Access Flow Action Rule Form: Go to the Designer Studio, navigate to the App Explorer, and create a new Flow Action rule.
2. Design User Interface: Moreover, define the form that the user will interact with.  Typically, developers achieve this using sections and layouts in Pega’s UI designer.
3. Configure Pre-Processing and Post-Processing: Specify activities or data transforms to run before and after the user interacts with the form.

Types of Flow Action

• Connector Flow Actions: Move the process forward.  These assignment shapes connect to the next step in the flow after completing the action
• Local Flow Actions: Allow users to perform actions  however, then return to the same assignment. Examples include saving progress or attaching documents without moving the flow forward.

Advanced Concepts

Subflows and Reusability

Absolutely subflows are great for maintaining consistency and efficiency across different processes. They help in reusing common logic and functionality, like approvals, which can streamline development and maintenance efforts significantly. Are you implementing subflows in a specific project or system?

Flow Versions

Moreover, flows in Pega can have multiple versions. This allows you to improve and update your processes without disrupting your current work. When you create a new version of a flow, new cases use the new version, while existing cases continue with their initially started version.

Error Handling

However, Flows handle errors to manage exceptions and issues. This involves sending alerts, escalating issues, or routing cases to a special workbasket for resolution.

Reporting and analytics

However, Pega’s robust reporting tools analyze the performance of your flows. Additionally, tracking key metrics like processing time, bottlenecks, and user workload helps in continuous process improvement.

Key Features of Flow Action:

1. User Interface: Defines the form or screen that the user interacts with to complete the task.
2. Pre-Processing and Post-Processing: Specifies the activities or data transformations to be executed before and after the user performs the action.
3. Validation: Ensures that the data entered by the user meets specific criteria before the action is completed.
4. Connector Flow Actions: These are automatically invoked flow actions that occur without user intervention; moreover, they are typically used for system processing or routing logic.

Types of Flow Action:

1. Connector Flow Action: Move the process forward to the next step.

2. Local Flow Action: Allow the user to perform an action and then return to the same assignment (e.g., saving progress).

Example Use Case

In addition, Imagine a simple approval process for a leave request:

1. Flow:

Because, the flow starts when an employee submits a leave request.

• Start Shape: The flow begins with the leave request submission.
• Flow Action: The request is assigned to the manager for approval (assignment).
• Decision Shape: The manager can approve or reject the request (decision).
• If approved, the flow ends (End Shape).
• If rejected, the flow returns to the employee with feedback (subflow or another assignment).

2. Flow Action:

• Submit Expense: This is the initial action where the employee fills out the expense report.
• Manager Review: The manager reviews the report and decides to approve or reject it.
• Additional Approval: For higher amounts, another manager needs to approve.
• Process Payment: Initiates payment processing automatically upon report approval.
  

Conclusion

However, In summary flow in Pega and flow action in Pega are essential for defining and managing business processes, ensuring tasks are performed in sequence, and providing the necessary user interfaces and logic for task completion.

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