Working with Activity Instance Attributes

8-10 Modeling and Implementation Guide for Oracle Business Process Management

8.8.1 Business Indicators

When you mark a project data object as a business indicator the Process Engine stores its value in the Process Analytics databases. You can use this information to monitor the performance of your business processes. For more information about Process Analytics, see Chapter 11, Using Process Analytics .

8.8.2 Supported Data Types for Project Data Objects

You can set the type of a project data object to the following data types: ■ String ■ Int ■ Bool ■ Real ■ Decimal ■ Time ■ Interval ■ Binary ■ Component

8.9 Working with Project Data Objects

You can add new project data objects to the project you are working on. You can also edit or delete them.

8.9.1 How to Add a Project Data Object

To add a project data object: 1. In the BPM Project Navigator, select a project.

2. In the Structure window, right-click the Project Data Objects node.

3. Select New.

4. Provide a name to identify the new project data object. Note: It is not advisable to change the data type of a project data object after deploying a BPM Project. This can cause problems when the Process WorkSpace tries to render the value of the instances created before changing the data type. Note: Avoid naming a project data object with the same name used for a process data object. If you name a process data object and a project data object with the same name, then the data associations editor does not allow you to access the project data object. Handling Information in Your Process Design 8-11 5. Select a type. Some types allow you to define their length or decimal places.

6. Optionally, check Auto Initialize to initialize the project data object with a default

value.

7. Click OK.

8.9.2 How to Edit a Project Data Object

You can modify the name and type of an existing project data object. To edit a project data object: 1. In the BPM Project Navigator window, select a project.

2. In the Structure window, expand the Project Data Objects node.

3. Right-click the project data object you want to edit.

4. Select Edit.

A dialog to edit the project data object properties appears. 5. Make the changes you want.

6. Click OK.

8.9.3 How to Delete a Project Data Object

You can delete a project data object that you do not use or need. If there are processes in your project that use the deleted project data object, then you must remove these references manually. How to delete a project data object: 1. In the BPM Project Navigator window, select a project.

2. In the Structure windows, expand the Project Data Objects node.

3. Right-click the project data object you want to delete. A confirmation message appears.

4. Click OK.

8.9.4 How to Assign a Value to a Project Data Object

You can assign a value to a project data object using a script task. To assign a value to a project data object: 1. In the Process Editor, add a script task to the process. 2. Edit the implementation properties of the script task. Note: You cannot use the name of existing process data objects. Note: You can also add process data object from the Data Object tree in the Simple Expression Builder, XPath Expression Builder, and Data Association Dialog.