Creating a workflow template

REQUIREMENTS
Permission	Operation administrator and higher
Connectivity	Online and partial offline

This document describes how to create a workflow in the infoex system.

Background

A workflow links together user-specified tasks into a logical order so that users can repeatedly move through the same steps. Creating a workflow consists of two main tasks:

• Defining the workflow name and choosing its general features
• Adding at least one workflow step and saving the workflow

Step-by-step description

1.	login to the infoEx system with an account that has Operation Administrator privileges.
2.	if you are enabled in more than one operation you must select an operation on the first screen after logging in.
3.	TASK 1: Create a new workflow a. Fig. 1: Managing a workflow Go to the ‘workflows’ selection in the main menu and select ‘manage work flow definitions’. This will take you to the ‘Manage Workflows’ page (Fig. 1). b. Fig. 2: Workflow settings You are now presented with a page titled 'Manage Workflows'. Under the column heading 'Workflows' you will see a list of existing workflows (if any) and an Add New Workflow button. Clicking this button begins creation of a new workflow, and adds a second column titled 'Workflow Settings' (Fig. 2). c. Under the ‘Workflow Settings’ column you must supply the information that will define the name that will be associated with this workflow, the scope of locations that it applies to and build the series of steps that will be carried out when the workflow is activated. The following list provides some details on this process. Name: Enter a meaningful name of the workflow such as: ‘AM Guide Meeting’ Locations: Associate the workflow with a location or combination of locations from your location catalogue. If you are using this workflow to provide generalized information such as a snowpack summary or avalanche observations, you may choose to associate the workflow with the largest scale location to which it applies. If you are entering location specific information such as a weather plot observation you may choose to also associate the workflow with specific locations . NOTE Click on the text box to get a dropdown with your entire location catalogue. To filter the dropdown start typing the name of the location NOTE If no locations are visible an operation administrator must first create locations using the location catalogue selection under the menu (see help documentation for ‘How to add a location to your operation’) Workflow Steps: A valid workflow requires at least one workflow step. TASK 2 below outlines the selection of workflow steps. A checkbox is provided as the last item under the 'Workflow Settings' column that allows the creator of the workflow to designate that the workflow must be completed in strict order. NOTE Once the workflow steps have been completed in order once you can review and edit steps in any order.
4.	TASK 2: Add a step to the new workflow. a. Fig 3: Select step type In the dropdown box under 'Workflow Steps' select the type of step you want to add. There are seven possible step types (Fig. 3): Context Webpage Snowpack Observation Report Hazard comment NOTE Each step type requires you to enter specific baseline information for that step. The different step types, their purpose, and the information they require are listed below. b. Fig 4: Save step settings Select Save Step to save the step settings. c. Fig 5: Save workflow steps and settings Select Save Workflow to save the workflow.

Details of: Types of workflow steps and the information required to set them up

Context:	Fig. 2: Workflow 'context' settings A 'context' step provides information about the workflow itself and offers a place to record the following information: The name of the context step (frequently 'Context for [workflow name]'). This provides a name for this step as the user moves through the workflow. The type of workflow. Only two selections are possible: Nowcast (the context refers to conditions at the present moment); Forecast (the context refers to future conditions). The date of validity (This is the future date that the workflow is valid until). The default future date is selected by the person who creates the workflow and applies to all workflows of this type. The time of vailidity (This is the time of day on the future date that the workflow is valid until.) The default time is selected by the person who creates the workflow. NOTE All context steps will automatically provide a field to record when the workflow was run and who attended the workflow session. NOTE The date and time of validity can be changed when the workflow is run.
Webpage:	Fig. 3: Workflow 'webpage' settings A 'webpage' step allows the workflow user to view a stored webpage without leaving the application. The following information is required to set it up: A box is provided so you can set the name of the website step. This provides a meaningful name for this step as the user moves through the workflow. The url of the website to visit NOTE Currently you cannot use Google websites. This includes Google Search and YouTube
Snowpack:	A 'snowpack' step allows the workflow user to add a snowpack description in narrative form. The following information is required to set it up: A box is provided so you can set the name of the snowpack step. NOTE A snowpack description is not the same as a snowpack observation. Snowpack descriptions are narrative interpretations of snowpack structure. Snowpack descriptions are not visible in the infoex report until you specify their inclusion. See Specifying the tables to be included in an InfoEx report.
Observation:	Fig. 4: Workflow 'observation' settings An 'observation' step allows you to fill out a customized observation as part of the workflow. The following information is required to set it up: A box is provided so you can set the name of the observation step. A list of 'observation types to include' is provided. Select the desired combination of options for the observation you want to make as part of the workflow. Select the 'time constraint on observations to include'. You can submit all unsubmitted observations for the operation, or limit submission to today's observations only. NOTE You may wish to limit submissions to today's date if there is a possibility that a saved workflow has stale data from a previous day
Reports:	A 'report' step allows you to view a customized infoex report as part of the workflow. The following information is required to set it up. A box is provided so you can set the name of the Report step. A dropdown list provides the list of predefined reports that you may select for viewing. NOTE You can select from three generic reports that have been previously defined, or created custom reports. See: 'Customizing reports'
Hazard Comment:	A 'hazard comment' step allows you to create and add a comment about avalanche hazard in narrative form to your workflow. The following information is required to set it up: A box is provided so you can set the name of the hazard comment step.
Hazard Assessment:	Fig. 5: Workflow 'hazard assessment' settings A 'hazard assessment step allows you to create and add a hazard assessment to your workflow. The following information is required to set it up: A box is provided so you can set the name of the 'hazard assessment' step. You may select to assess hazard for one or three elevation bands. You may choose to rate stability, hazard, both, or neither.

Related documents

• How to add a location to your operation.
• Customizing a report

Functionality tested by

• Date: Nov. 15, 2013 / John Kelly / QA Server / Version 3.0.0