You can use the Rules functionality to integrate rules with your workflow.
With the Rules Connectivity Framework, you can use rules to set workflow fields and control
the following types of routing operations in a workflow:
- Send a work item to a map (similar to a call instruction)
- Send a work item to a custom exception map
- Skip a step
- Repeat a step
To integrate rules with your workflow using the Rules Connectivity Framework, complete the
following tasks:
- In Process Designer, specify data fields and rule sets that will be used in a particular
workflow definition. For each step where a rule set will execute, specify the stage. For
example, before execution of the step, on save, or after execution.
- Transfer the workflow definition to the workflow database. During the transfer process, the
rule sets defined in the workflow definition are passed to the Rules Listener, along with all
of the data fields in the workflow definition.
- Develop and deploy the rules in the rules software using data fields defined in the
workflow definition.
Rules in a running workflow
When a running workflow encounters a rule, the workflow system sends a request to the Rules
Listener, an interface provided by FileNet® P8, which passes
the request to the rules software. The rules software executes the rule set and returns the
results to the workflow system.
You can stop the Rules Listener. If it is stopped when a workflow tries to run a rule, the
workflow system sends the work object to the Instruction Sheet Interpreter (ISI) queue. Once the
Rules listener is restarted, the ISI resubmits the work object to the Rules listener. If the Rules
Engine interface is disabled, workflows run but ignore any rules that are called by the
workflow.
Restoring rules functionality after an isolated region is initialized
When an isolated region is initialized, workflow definitions with associated rule sets are
deleted. When the initialization is complete, you can transfer the workflow definitions again.
See the documentation provided by the Rules software vendor for instructions on re-establishing
the connection with the appropriate rule set.
Rules general usage
You can specify rules options to steps in a workflow by using Process Designer. For detailed
instructions about specifying the various options, see the following information: