Overview of Visio Process Import

BPMN Compatibility

The Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is a published standard that enables standardization in the notations used for business process modeling. It defines a comprehensive set of notations for different elements in a process model such as actions, events and links. This in turn makes it possible for business process models created in one BPM application to be used in another, provided both applications support, and are compatible with BPMN standards.

Support for Process Models created using IT Pearls BPMN Stencil for Microsoft Visio

The IT Pearls BPMN Stencil for Microsoft Visio from ITP-Commerce adds process modeling functionality to Visio. Business Analysts can use this familiar tool to model their business processes and export them as XML files, which in turn can be used in applications that automate those processes. AVEVA Work Tasks has a provision to import and integrate the process models exported from Visio and execute them.

Import of XML file Exported from Microsoft Visio

The import functionality (found in the Process Designer's Settings menu) has a new option to import Visio Process Designs in addition to the earlier option to import existing Processes. Selecting this option displays the open file dialog box. You can select the Visio process file here and import it. AVEVA Work Tasks will map the BPMN events and activities to corresponding activities and recreate the process design. In case the Visio event or activity does not have a corresponding activity then it will be retained in the redrawn process design as a BPMN event or activity.

There is only UI provided for conversion of Visio workflow to AVEVA Work Tasks. AVEVA Work Tasks provides API, which gives the entire structure of workflow definition within AVEVA Work Tasks. These APIs can be used to import workflow definition built in other tool after converting the same to AVEVA Work Tasks understandable format.

Note: From Visio, you cannot import workflow XML which is generated by AVEVA Work Tasks. The XML generated by AVEVA Work Tasks is native which can be easily understood. The third party tool is required to convert the same to Visio to understand the format.

Realigning the Imported Process Model

The imported process will have to be realigned to ensure that it reflects the source Visio process model. The Realign Activity is available to enable this process. You can execute this Activity to automatically realign the imported process design.

Handling Unlinked Process Flows in the Visio Process Model

The original Visio process model may have had process flows that were not linked to any other event/activity. During import into the Process Designer these process flows are linked to the Start activity. An appropriate message will be displayed on the Import window, mentioning the activity name and stating that it was found unlinked in the Process Model and so it is being linked to the Start activity by default. Such process flows need to be manually linked to the appropriate point in the main process flow.

Note: Importing "Visio 2013 exported file" is not supported.