View source for Executing a workflow instance

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{{Requirements|UserLevel=Submission Moderator and higher|Connectivity=Online and offline}}

This document describes how to execute a [[Definitions#WorkflowInstance|workflow instance]] from an existing [[Definitions#WorkflowTemplate|workflow template]] during regular operations.

==Background==
A workflow links together user-specified tasks into a logical order so that users can repeatedly move through the same steps. See the following documents for more background information on workflows:
* [[Workflow overview]]
* [[Creating a workflow template]]

Executing a workflow instance involves three main steps:
# Starting the desired workflow
# Completing the steps included in the workflow
# Saving and sharing the results of a workflow with the InfoEx community

==Step-by-step description==

===Step 1: Starting the desired workflow===

{|class="TblSteps"
|-
|class="StepNum" | 1.
|[[File:WorkflowMenuStartNew.png|300px|thumb|right|Fig. 1: Workflow menu for starting a new workflow instance.]]From the 'Workflows' menu select the workflow you want to execute and click on 'start new'. You need to be a Submission Moderator to have access to this menu item. The system will now load the necessary information for executing the chosen workflow.
{{Note|It is desirable to have a live internet connection when you initiate a workflow. This allows the system to pre-populate the fields of the [[Snowpack module]], [[Hazard assessment module]] and [[Hazard comment module]] with the information from the last time a workflow was submitted for the location(s) associated with the chosen workflow.|NoteWithImage}}
{{Note|It is possible to initiate a workflow instance completely offline, but it will be completely empty and you will have to start your assessments completely from scratch.|NoteWithImage}}
|-
|class="StepNum" | 2.
|[[File:WorkflowProgressSteps.png|300px|thumb|right|Fig. 2: Workflow progress]]After the necessary information has been loaded, the workflow will begin with the first step. The list of workflow steps is presented at the top of the workflow screen below the workflow title.
|}

===Step 2: Starting the desired workflow===

 
{|class="TblSteps"
|-
|class="StepNum" | 1.
|[[File:WorkflowProgressControls.png|300px|thumb|right|Fig. 2 Workflow progress controls]]To move between steps use the controls at the top right of the workflow area (see Figure 2).
{{Note|Only the advance arrow will be enabled if the workflow design specified 'steps need to be completed in order' (see [[Creating a workflow template]]).|NoteWithImage}}
|-
|class="StepNum" | 6. 
|At any time you can select {{ButtonBlue|Discard & Exit}} from the workflow controls (see Figure 2) this will delete all trace of the workflow execution and no information will be submitted to the infoEx server.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 7.
|At any time you can select {{ButtonBlue|Save & Exit}} from the workflow controls (see Figure 2) this will save a local copy of the workflow execution to date as well as share the saved information between all enabled local computers within an operation. However, no information will be shared with the infoEx server.
|-
|class="StepNum" | 8. 
|When the {{ButtonGreyWhite|Submit}} button activates by turning blue {{ButtonBlue|Submit}} you may submit all entered information to the infoEx Server
{{Note|Once information is submitted to the infoEx server it will be deleted from all local computers. You may review previously submitted workflows. See: [[Viewing previously completed workflows]]}}.
|}

==Related documents==
* [[Viewing previously completed workflows]]
* [[Workflow overview]]

==Functionality tested by==
*Nov. 17, 2013: John Kelly / Training / Version 3.1.0
[[Category:Help Files]]
[[Category:Super User]][[Category:Operation Administrator]][[Category:Submission Moderator]][[Category:User]]
[[Category: Offline]]
[[Category:Workflows]][[Category:Version 3.1.0]]