The Processes module allows you to link elements on the canvas to objects in your repository. The table below lists all connections that are permitted in BlueDolphin:
BPMN element | Allowed ArchiMate Object(s) | Name Handling |
BPMN diagram | Business Process | Not copied |
Expanded Pool | Business Actor or Business Role | Copied, not editable |
Swim Lane | Business Actor or Business Role | Copied, not editable |
Task | Application Component | Not copied |
Call Activity | Business Process | Copied, not editable |
Data Object | Business Object | Copied, not editable |
Data Store | Data Object | Copied, not editable |
When you switch an element to another element in a BPMN diagram, any connected objects will not remain linked to the updated element.
For example, if you change a task into a call activity, and you have attached an application object, it will get disconnected.
You can connect the object in two different ways:
Using the toolbox
Click an element on the canvas.
In the toolbox on the element's right side, click the Connect icon.
In the search box, type the name of the object you want to connect to the element. Only allowed connections are presented.
Choose the object from the list and click Connect.
Using the side panel
Click the arrow icon in the top-right corner to open the side panel.
Select the element and click the Connect Object button in the side panel.
In the search box, type the name of the object you want to connect to the element. Only allowed connections will be presented.
Choose the object from the list and click the Connect button.
NOTE: If an object is deleted from the repository, it will still appear connected in the diagram.
Connect a business process
Diagrams can be connected to business processes only from the side panel.
To connect the process, make sure none of the elements inside the diagram are clicked.
Viewing Connected Object Information
The connected objects in the diagram are navigational. When you click a connected object in the side panel, it opens in a new Objects tab, displaying the object information.
If the connected object is deleted, its name and link remain visible in the side panel. When you click the object, it opens in Archived mode, where it is no longer editable.
To see which BPMN diagrams the business process is connected to, refer View BPMN Diagrams Connected to Business Process section in the article.
Disconnect an Object
You can disconnect the object in two different ways:
Using the toolbox
Select the element on the canvas.
In the toolbox on the element's right side, click the Disconnect object icon.
Click the Remove connection button to confirm the action.
Using the side panel
Click the arrow icon located in the top-right corner to open the side panel.
Select the element on the canvas and click the red button from the side panel, to disconnect the object.
Click the Remove connection button to confirm the action.
The name of the element on the canvas remains overwritten even after the object has been successfully disconnected, but it can be modified as needed.
Disconnect a business process
Business processes can be disconnected from diagrams only from the side panel.
To disconnect the process, make sure none of the elements inside the diagram are clicked.