Specify DataObject State in BPMN

[ea0322]

Hi forum
I have created a DataObject element in BPMN Porcess model.  Then I speified its Classifier as BO wich has a Statemachine (STM).  However, the option of selecting the BO State on the BPMN DataObject element is unavailable.  If I drag and Drop the regular Class (Block) element, it works as regular ObjectNode in AD - with the State selection option.
Question - how to use BPMN elements but havving State? (it is an option specifies in the BPMN 2.0 standard.
Thanks 

[Marc Lampron]

Hi ea0322,
To have the possibility to add state information to a DataObject in a BPMN diagram, you have to add all DataObjects in the diagram as "Instance" (not as"Link") when you drag them from the Navigator to the Diagram.

[ea0322]

a. I create a Class, ClsA, in the EA browser
b. I create a Statemachine (STM) under this Class
c. I create a BPMN DataObject, DO1, on diagram
d. I define ClsA as Classifier of DO1
e. No I like to ser its State from the STM under ClsA but this option is not available
Comment: If I drag ClsA onto the BPMN Business Process diagram as Instance, I do have the option to select one of its states (Advanced / Set Object State)

Why it is not an option of BPMN DataObject?
Thanks

[Takeshi K]

Hello ea0322,

Why we cannot specify a State from the Statemachine:
- BPMN and UML are not related specifications. BPMN does not care about UML, so there is no rule to connect between them. I think it makes sense that Enterprise Architect does not care about UML objects for BPMN objects (and vice versa).
- In Enterprise Architect, BPMN DataObject is extended from Artifact, not Object. Object can have current state information but Artifact cannot.

BPMN DataObject has an attribute 'dataState' and the text for the attribute is displayed in diagrams, so you can set the State manually. And you can create your own add-in to be able to select a State from the State elements in the Statemachine.