Workflow and Life Cycle

Last modified on 2022/05/28 10:54

Definition

The life cycle of a workflow enables you to view the series of progress actions for the incident, the service request, the change request or the problem it is in charge of. It is displayed at the top of the form as a breadcrumb.
         Life Cycle Workflow - Breadcrumb colors.png

EndDefinition
  • Each step in the life cycle can be associated with one or more workflow steps. 
  • It is highlighted in color once a workflow step is run.

    Open url.png See Life cycle description

Examples

  • Life cycle associated with a workflow
             Life Cycle Workflow - Mapping Steps.png
  • Incident life cycle
             Life Cycle Workflow - Incident breadcrumb.png
  • Change request life cycle
             Life Cycle Workflow - Request for change breadcrumb.png
  • Service request life cycle
             Life Cycle Workflow - Request service breadcrumb.png
  • Problem life cycle
             Life Cycle Workflow - Problem breadcrumb.png

Notes

  • The number of life cycle steps is limited to ten.
  • A given life cycle can be associated with one or more workflows. A given workflow can be associated with only one life cycle.
  • Each progress action in the life cycle can be associated with one or more workflow steps in the graphic editor. Each step of the workflow can be associated with only one progress action in the life cycle.
  • When a life cycle is implemented in a workflow used in a current incident or request or problem, the breadcrumb will appear grayed out in the forms. The step in the life cycle will be highlighted when the workflow moves on to the next step.
  • A life cycle cannot be deleted if it is associated with a workflow.

Graphic representation of the life cycle steps

    Life Cycle Workflow - Breadcrumb colors.png

Life Cycle Workflow - Breadcrumb - Step completed.png: Step completed, displayed on a light grey background.

Life Cycle Workflow - Breadcrumb - Step currently being run.png: Step currently being run, displayed on a blue background.

Life Cycle Workflow - Breadcrumb - Step not started.png: Step not started, displayed on a light blue background.

Best Practice

  • To improve the legibility of the breadcrumb:
    • Define a short name for each step using one or two words.
    • Limit the number of steps in the life cycle.
  • Generally, the number of steps should be:
    • Four for an incident: Creation, Treatment, Validation, Closing
    • Seven for a change request: Creation, Validation, Planification, Preparation, Approval, Execution, Closing
    • Five for a general service request: Creation, Validation, Logistics, Installation, Closing
    • Three for a software installation request: Creation, Installation, Closing
    • Six for a hardware installation request: Creation, Validation, Logistics, Installation, Approval, Closing
    • Variable for a problem. ITIL suggests the following: Detection, Qualification, Prioritization, Resolution, Closing

Open url.png  See Examples

Characteristics specific to versions 2016 and earlier

The Workflow and Life cycle form in versions 2016 and earlier is different:

  • Graphic representation of the life cycle
    • The following configuration is proposed by default.
          Life Cycle Workflow - Breadcrumb colors - 2016 and Prior Versions.png
    • You can modify the background color and the text color for each life cycle step. Open url.png See the procedure.

Screen description

         Life Cycle Workflow - Editor.png

Menu access: References > Other References > Life Cycle

Life Cycle Label: Name of the life cycle.

Order: Order of the life cycle step, automatically updated each time a step is created using Plus icon.png or each time a step is deleted using Minus icon.png. You can change the order using Up arrow icon.png and Down arrow icon.png.

Step: Name of the life cycle step.

Related Processes: Number of workflows associated with the life cycle step.

Procedure and Wizards

How to implement a life cycle in forms

Step 1: Creating the life cycle.

1. Select (menu) > References > Life Cycle in the menu.

2. Create a new life cycle via + New in the top banner.

3. Create each life cycle step via Plus icon.png.

4. (optional) Click Up arrow icon.png and Down arrow icon.png to order the steps.

5. Click Finish.

Step 2: Associating the life cycle with the workflow.

1. Select (menu) > References > Workflows in the menu.

2. Click Display popup icon.png next to the workflow.
The graphic editor will appear.

3. Associate the life cycle with the workflow.

  • Display the properties of the workflow via Graphical process editor - Toolbar - Process properties icon.png or double-click the Start step Graphical process editor - Start step icon.png.
  • Complete the Life Cycle field.
  • Click Finish.

4. Associate each workflow step with a life cycle step.

  • Double-click the step.
  • Complete the Life Cycle Step field.
  • Click Confirm changes.
     

Step 3: Previewing the life cycle in the forms.

  • The life cycle will automatically be updated in the form once the workflow starts.
  • When a workflow step associated with a life cycle step is started, the life cycle step will be highlighted in the breadcrumb using the colors you defined.

Wizards

Update
Delete

Tags:
Powered by XWiki © EasyVista 2022