BPMN and version 7.0?

[spolyak]

We recently purchased EA (7.0.815 Build 815) and are looking to transfer several of our BPMN models to the tool. Obviously there is BPMN support in the tool but we were also reading about the MDG add-in for EA. This seems to offer more coverage of the BPMN spec. than the EA tool provides. Looking at the installation instructions though it says to be sure that version 6.5 of EA is installed. Can we install this add-in (version 1.3) with 7.0.815? Perhaps 7.x already has this add-in built in? Can anyone give us some advice on what we should do in order to get the most out of BPMN with the tool version we have?

http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/products/mdg_bpmn.html

Steve Polyak
Technical Architect
Pearson Educational Measurement

[dbax]

Hi Steve,

Version 7.0 already has BPMN profile built in so you do not have to install the add-in.
I actually used the version 6.5 before with BPMN Add-in installed, and had few processes built. After updating to version 7.0 and removing separate BPMN Add-in, I had no issues with existing diagrams nor continuing to use the built-in profile to build new ones.
Regards,

Dbax

[KP]

The EA 7 installation includes the BPMN profile, which gives you the notation. The BPMN add-in provides model validation and a help file, if that is useful to you.

[«Midnight»]

The EA 7 installation includes the BPMN profile, which gives you the notation. The BPMN add-in provides model validation and a help file, if that is useful to you.

However Neil, the add-in appears to still be version 1.3, while the internal support is version 1.4.

Is there any loss of features if we 'downgrade' to the add-in?

David

[KP]

However Neil, the add-in appears to still be version 1.3, while the internal support is version 1.4.

Is there any loss of features if we 'downgrade' to the add-in?

On the add-in menu, there is a command "Load"... don't touch it and you won't be loading the 1.3 technology over the 1.4 technology.

There will be a new EA 7 compatible version of the add-in some time, but I don't know when.

[mark.myers]

On the add-in menu, there is a command "Load"... don't touch it and you won't be loading the 1.3 technology over the 1.4 technology.

...and if you HAVE used the Load command on the add-in will Unload reverse it and re-enable the builting 1.4 technology?

Also on the add-in menu I see no way of validating the BPMN model - what am I missing?

[KP]

...and if you HAVE used the Load command on the add-in will Unload reverse it and re-enable the builting 1.4 technology?

Yes.

Also on the add-in menu I see no way of validating the BPMN model - what am I missing?

Go "Project > Model Validation > Configure" to switch UML validation off and BPMN validation on. Go "Project > Model Validation > Validate Selected (Ctrl+Alt+V)" to validate.

[«Midnight»]

Go "Project > Model Validation > Configure" to switch UML validation off and BPMN validation on. Go "Project > Model Validation > Validate Selected (Ctrl+Alt+V)" to validate.

Nifty!

[spolyak]

ok, i feel like this might be a dumb question, but here goes. I have 7.0 EA (with the 1.4 BPMN add-in). i did not install the separate 1.3 add-in. if i look at, e.g. http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/products/mdg_bpmn.html i see that i should be able to create a start event with the mail icon in it, or even the intermediate icon with the clock. i don't see how to do this. i suspect something with a sterotype, but the options are not there. do i need to configure something? help?

[spolyak]

ah. it is tagged values, trigger... oh. i see.

[dbax]

Yup, you got it. When it comes to BPMN, EA uses tagged values to extend activity diagrams with corresponding notation.
Cheers!