Create a Local or External Decision

To use decisions in business processes, first you have to create a decision component in your process application. A decision is a container for decision logic, input data, and decision services.

You can either create a local decision that have to be modeled from scratch or create an external decision by using an already modeled decision from a decision application.

Before adding a decision component to a process application, understand the differences between local and external decisions. See Understand Local and External Decisions.

1. In the process application's main page, click Add.
2. In the Add component pane, expand Decisions and choose one of the following:
   • Local decision: Select this if you want to create a decision from scratch for your process application. This type of decision can only be used in the context of the current application.
   • External decision: Select this if you want to use an already modeled external decision from an activated decision application.
3. If you select Local decision, enter the following information in the resulting pane:
   1. Title: Enter a meaningful name for the decision.
   2. Identifier Name: This is the unique identifier of the decision. By default, this value is same as the title. But you can edit it if required.
   3. Description: Enter a suitable description for the decision.
4. If you select External decision, then all activated decision applications and their versions are displayed. Select an activated decision application from the list.
5. Click Create.

The decision component gets listed in the Decisions page of your process application. You can differentiate between local and external decisions by their icons.

• Local decision:
• External decision:

Local decision: For a local decision, an empty decision component is added. Clicking it will open the decision editor canvas. You can start modeling the decision as described in the following topics:

• Add a Decision Logic Type
• Define Expressions with the Friendly Enough Expression Language (FEEL)
• Model Decision Logic
• Test Decision Models
• Expose Decisions as Services
• Add Decision Services to Processes

External decision: For an external decision, an already modeled, ready to be used, and activated decision is added. You can directly implement it in the processes of your process application. See Add Decision Services to Processes.

If required, you can also edit an external decision like any other decision by opening it in the decision editor canvas.