Connect existing process diagram as composite

[rmonangi]

Is there a way to connect an existing business process diagram available in the repository as "Business Process" Composite element in a BPMN diagram?

[RoyC]

I am not quite sure what you are asking here. There are two things you might try:

If the existing Business Process diagram is already owned by a Business Process element, you can right-click on the element in the source diagram and Copy it, then Paste it into the target diagram. You have the option of using the same name for each copied child element, or changing the names of some/all child elements.

OR

Open or create the target diagram with a new Business Process element, make it composite and right-click on it again and select the New Diagram | Select Composite Diagram context menu option. The Select a Diagram browser displays, through which you can browse the entire project to locate the existing business process diagram. Click on the diagram and on the OK key to apply it as the new child of the composite element.

Do either of those options help you?

[rmonangi]

I'm using v9.3 of EA.

The second option you mentioned below is what I'm looking to do.

But when I right-click on the new Business Process element in the target BPMN diagram, I don't see the New Diagram | Select Composite Diagram option.

I see Add| Add Diagram option, but this option doesn't allow me to pick an existing BPMN diagram.

[RoyC]

OK - the process was simplified in release 10 of EA.

In release 9.3, then:

If your composite Business Process element is new, it will automatically have an empty child diagram. Delete this (or, if you have already added stuff of value, move it somewhere else). In the Project Browser, drag the existing Business Process diagram underneath the Business Process element. On the diagram, double click on the element - it will open the Business Process diagram.

If you do not want the BP diagram to live underneath that element, you can move it back to where it came from. The BP element will still recognise it as its child diagram.

The process is a bit like putting a dog on an extendable lead - you have to bring the dog in to heel to make the attachment, after which the dog can go wherever you want it to. If you want to put another dog on the lead, you have to put the first dog somewhere else, bring the second dog to heel and attach the lead. Then the second dog can go wherever you want it to.

[rmonangi]

I tried draging the existing Business Process diagram underneath the Business Process element. But the "double click" is not opening the BP diagram.

[RoyC]

Oops - sorry! You ALSO have to turn the Composite element option off and back on again, once the second diagram is in place. (Perhaps, in the dog analogy, this would be the 'put collar on dog' step!)

As I said, we simplified this process for release 10!

[rmonangi]

Thanks Roy! That worked.

Appreciate your help.

Regards! Ravi