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Introduction

A business process instance in flowOn BPM is a specific execution of a business process. It represents the practical application of a business process model to a particular set of circumstances or data. Each instance is a unique enactment, carrying out the steps, decisions, and activities as outlined in the process model.

Business Process Instance

How a Business Process Instance is Created ?​

  • Triggering: A business process instance is created when a trigger occurs. This trigger can be manual (like a user starting the process), automated (based on system events), or time-based (initiated at a specific time or interval).

  • Initialization: Upon triggering, flowOn BPM initializes a new instance. It assigns unique identifiers and allocates resources necessary for the process.

  • Context and Data: Each instance operates within its context, meaning it handles specific data or situations. For example, in a customer service process, each complaint or query would create a new instance, each dealing with different customer data and issues.

Business Process Instance

How They Differ from the Business Process​

  • Business Process: This is the blueprint or template that defines the sequence of activities, decision points, and paths that should be followed. It's a general framework outlining how a type of operation should be conducted.

  • Business Process Instance: This is the actual execution of that model in a real-world scenario. While the process model remains the same, each instance of it can vary based on the specific data, decisions made, and paths taken.

Conclusion​

In FlowOn BPM, a business process instance represents the real-time execution of a predefined business process model. While the model provides the framework for operations, each instance adapts to the unique data, decisions, and circumstances it encounters during execution. The flexibility offered by FlowOn BPM allows for dynamic, context-sensitive workflows, where each instance operates autonomously, following the logic defined in the process model. Understanding the difference between the process model and the instance is crucial for effectively managing workflows, ensuring that each instance performs as expected while meeting the specific needs of the organization. This separation enables businesses to maintain consistent process design while handling unique cases efficiently.