Bookshelf Home | Contents | Index | Search | PDF

Siebel Business Process Designer Administration Guide > Using State Models >

State Models Overview

---

The State Models module views provide a data-driven method for extending workflow control based on the status of an object, such as a service request or product defect. A state represents the status of an object, such as Open, Closed, or Pending. The State Models module consists of three key elements:

State Model. A blueprint of acceptable states and state transitions that are enforced by the state machine.
State Machine. An engine that enforces the transitions between states for an object during its lifetime. The state represents where the object is in its lifetime. The state can also control whether the data of that object can be modified. For example, a service request that is in a Closed state may be considered "frozen," such that its attributes cannot be modified.
State Transition. Defines the allowable migration of an object from one state to the next. For instance, a service request that has been closed but must be re-opened may go from the Closed state to an Open state, and may go from Open to Pending, but may not transition directly from Closed to Pending.

The state transition can also enforce other behavior. It can control which individuals or groups of individuals can initiate the transition. It also can verify that specific conditions have been met before the transition occurs.

In this state model, the starting point state for all service requests is Open.

Allowable state transitions for this model are listed in Table 89.

Table 89. State Transitions for a Service Request

From State	To State
Cancelled	Open
Closed	Open
Open	Cancelled
Open	Closed
Open	Pending
Pending	Cancelled
Pending	Closed
Pending	Open

The state transition can define the required authorization for transitioning an object. For example, a transition of moving service requests from Open to Cancelled may be restricted to the service center manager. By default, anyone with update authority on an object can change the state, unless this authority is explicitly overridden by the state transition definition within the state model.

The state transition can be preempted if required conditions have not been met. The state machine reviews all required conditions defined for the state model before the state transition is completed.

Bookshelf Home | Contents | Index | Search | PDF