Build the Purchase Request Process Flow
Key Lesson: In this step, you learn how to create the Purchase Request Process, assign responsibility through swimlanes, define the Process variable, and configure the User Tasks that move the request between roles.
Create the PurchaseRequestProcessing Process that routes a Purchase Request through approval, revision, and procurement.
Create the Process diagram
Section titled “Create the Process diagram”Create a new Process definition in Lowgile Studio.
- Go to Design → Object Types → Process.
- Add a new Process and name it PurchaseRequestProcessing.
The Process Editor opens with a Default Process Diagram. Let’s modify this placeholder diagram to build the Purchasing Process.
- Delete the default Hello World task and its connectors.
1. Add and configure the swimlanes
Section titled “1. Add and configure the swimlanes”For each swimlane, the Name identifies the participant and the Assignee expression determines which role can perform the tasks inside it.
Tip
Prefer a visual walkthrough? This short video demonstrates the complete sequence of adding and naming swimlanes.
1.1. Rename and configure the Requester swimlane
Section titled “1.1. Rename and configure the Requester swimlane”-
Select the existing Initiator swimlane.
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In the Properties panel, set:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Requester |
| Assignee | |
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Save your changes before continuing.
1.2. Add and configure the Approver swimlane
Section titled “1.2. Add and configure the Approver swimlane”- On the right side of the process diagram, click the Add lane below icon.
- Select the new swimlane.
- In the Properties panel, set:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Approver |
| Assignee | |
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Save your changes before continuing.
1.3. Add and configure the Procurement swimlane
Section titled “1.3. Add and configure the Procurement swimlane”- Click the Add lane below icon to create the third swimlane.
- Select the new swimlane.
- In the Properties panel, set:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Procurement |
| Assignee | |
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Save your changes before continuing.
2. Add the Process variable
Section titled “2. Add the Process variable”The PurchaseRequestProcessing Process uses request to carry the submitted Purchase Request between task screens.
- Open the Variables tab at the top of the Process Editor.
- Click + Add new variable, then configure it as follows:
| Name | Context | Type | Default expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| request | Input | | (leave blank) |
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Save your changes before continuing.
3. Add and configure the User Tasks
Section titled “3. Add and configure the User Tasks”Add a single User Task to each swimlane and configure its properties.
Tip
For more information about how task outputs and output handlers select Process routes, see How task outputs select a route.
3.1. Add and configure the Approve PR task
Section titled “3.1. Add and configure the Approve PR task”- Select the Approver swimlane.
- Add a new User Task.
- In the Properties panel, set:
| Tab | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Properties | Name | Approve PR |
| Screen | Purchasing.PurchaseRequestApprove | |
| Inputs | request | |
| Output handlers | submit | |
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Save your changes before continuing.
Attention
If the Inputs or Output handlers tabs do not appear after assigning the task screen, see User Task Inputs and Output Handlers Do Not Appear.
3.2. Add and configure the Revise PR task
Section titled “3.2. Add and configure the Revise PR task”- Select the Requester swimlane.
- Add a new User Task.
- Configure the task as follows:
| Tab | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Properties | Name | Revise PR |
| Screen | Purchasing.PurchaseRequestUpdate | |
| Inputs | request | |
| Output handlers | submit | |
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Save your changes before continuing.
3.3. Add and configure the Request Quotation from Vendors task
Section titled “3.3. Add and configure the Request Quotation from Vendors task”- Select the Procurement swimlane.
- Add a new User Task.
- Configure the task as shown in the following table.
- Save the Process, then reselect the Request Quotation from Vendors task before configuring the Inputs and Output handlers shown in the table below.
| Tab | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Properties | Name | Request Quotation from Vendors |
| Screen | | |
| Inputs | request | |
| Output handlers | submit | |
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Save your changes before continuing.