Spstc2011 Developing Reusable Workflow Features
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This document summarizes a presentation on developing reusable workflow features in SharePoint. The presenter advocates taking a portfolio approach to process design and leveraging central services like user profiles and business connectivity services. Examples are provided of centralized budget approval limits and out of office delegation configurations. Approaches for building reusable full trust and sandbox workflow actions are demonstrated. Initiating workflows from other workflows to create reusable sub-processes is also described.
Spstc2011 Developing Reusable Workflow Features
- 1. Developing Reusable Workflow Features (Fri-S2A-106)Dev Track – 200Mike Oryszak (@next_connect)IntellinetAug 12, 2011Welcome to SharePoint Saturday—The Conference
- 2. Welcome to SharePoint Saturday—The ConferenceThank you for being a part of the first SharePoint Saturday conferencePlease turn off all electronic devices or set them to vibrate.If you must take a phone call, please do so in the hall so as not to disturb others.Open wireless access is available at SSID: SPSTC2011Feel free to “tweet and blog” during the sessionThanks to our Diamond and Platinum Sponsors:
- 3. About MePractice Manager with IntellinetMicrosoft SharePoint Server MVPDev and Architect with MS stack since 1996Working with SharePoint since 2002Raleigh-Durham, NC Area since 1998
- 4. Outline & AgendaApproach and GoalsOverview on Creating Custom ActionsExample 1 – Budget Approval LimitsExample 2 – Out of Office DelegationAdditional ExamplesWrap-up and Questions
- 5. Approach and GoalsDeveloping Reusable Workflow Features
- 6. Approach and GoalsCommon Workflow LimitationsWorkflows developed one at a timeConfig and Admin content is localized – SilosMaintaining data difficult, and process admin focused
- 7. Approach and GoalsReuse GoalsCentralize common configuration dataLeverage central farm servicesMake it easier for users to maintain their dataReduce time to create new workflowsImprove efficiency of managing workflows
- 8. Approach and GoalsApproachesTake a “Portfolio Approach” to process designChange data lookup sources from local to centralBudget Approval Limit exampleOut of Office Delegation exampleGroup common calls into Actions or ServicesOut of Office Delegation exampleCheck Request example
- 9. Approach and GoalsApproachesLeverage central services like User Profiles, BCSBudget Approval exampleOut of Office Delegation exampleLink workflows together; start workflow from anotherCheck Request example
- 10. Creating Custom ActionsDeveloping Reusable Workflow Features
- 11. Full Trust ActionsApproachesLeverage central services like User Profiles, BCSBudget Approval exampleOut of Office Delegation exampleLink workflows together; start workflow from anotherCheck Request example
- 12. Full Trust Action ImplementationImportant NamespacesSystem.Workflow.ComponentModelMicrosoft.SharePoint.WorkflowMicrosoft.SharePoint.WorkflowActionsKey Dev TasksDefine PropertiesOverride ActivityExecutionStatus ExecuteOverride ActivityExecutionStatusHandleFaultCreate WorkflowActions definition in Elements.xml
- 13. Sandbox ActionsDeveloped in Visual StudioLimited to Site Collection boundariesDoes not require server admin to deploy; O365Provides a way to create simple reusable features
- 14. Sandbox Action ImplementationImportant NamespacesMicrosoft.SharePoint.WorkflowMicrosoft.SharePoint.UserCodeKey Dev TasksAction must return a HashtableAction must accept a SPUserCodeWorkflowContext as the first argumentCreate WorkflowActions definition in Elements.xml
- 15. Budget Approval LimitsDeveloping Reusable Workflow Features
- 16. Budget Approval OverviewA common example of data needed to support an approval workflowCentralize the data so that it is available for multiple processesLeverage services like User Profile and BCS
- 17. Bad ApproachLoad Budget For ApproverIssues:3 Sites, separate config lists
- 19. Out of SyncAlternative ApproachAdvantages:Central Source
- 20. Can Sync (BCS)
- 22. Out of Office DelegationDeveloping Reusable Workflow Features
- 23. Out of Office Delegation OverviewSharePoint has built-in Out of Office DelegationGreat example of User Maintained config dataGreat example of leveraging User Profiles
- 24. Bad ApproachBuilding it into each process, with localized data stored in a list on the workflow siteProcess Admin Maintains itData stored in multiple placesWorkflow steps maintained in multiple places
- 25. Alternative ApproachOut of Office Delegation FeatureUser Profile Custom AttributesOut of Office Start DateOut of Office End DateOut of Office DelegationCustom Workflow ActionSimplifies check from SPD workflows
- 26. Demo
- 27. Additional ExamplesDeveloping Reusable Workflow Features
- 28. Additional ExamplesStandard Feature RequestsEscalationsTask RemindersRole Based Assignments (CFO, Ops Mgr, etc)Frequent Re-usable ProcessesCheck RequestCompliance Activity Logging
- 29. Initiating Another WorkflowCreate Reusable Sub-ProcessesUse Standard EventsNew ItemEdit ItemCan use Full Trust Actions to add/edit items between site collections
- 30. Check Request OverviewCheck Request is an example of a process that may be initiated from multiple processesCould be built into each process, or separated into a separate “sub-process” for reuse
- 31. Bad ApproachIssues:Same process steps
- 32. AP users have tasks in x sites
- 33. Multiple places to update if process changes
- 34. Process owners may not understand other usesSub-Process ApproachAdvantages:Std process on AP site
- 35. Easy access for AP users
- 36. Easy to maintain and monitorWrap-upDeveloping Reusable Workflow Features
- 37. Recommended ApproachesTake a “Portfolio Approach” to process designChange data lookup sources from local to centralGroup common functions or calls into Actions or ServicesLeverage central services like User Profiles, BCSLink workflows together; start workflow from another
- 38. Questions?
- 39. Additional ResourcesMSDN – Create a Sandbox Workflow Actionhttp://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff798499.aspxMSDN – Reference Implementation Workflow Activitieshttp://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff798330.aspxUser Profiles – Creating Custom Propertieshttp://www.mikeoryszak.com/sharepoint/user-profiles-%e2%80%93-creating-custom-propertiesUser Profiles – Driving Business Processhttp://www.mikeoryszak.com/sharepoint/user-profiles-%e2%80%93-driving-business-processWorkflow Postshttp://www.mikeoryszak.com/tag/workflow
- 40. Contact InfoBlog - http://www.mikeoryszak.comTwitter - @Next_ConnectEmail – [email protected] - http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeloryszak
- 41. Thanks to Our Other Sponsors!Thanks to our Sponsors
- 42. Session EvaluationPlease complete and turn in your Session Evaluation Form so we can improve future events. Survey can be filled out at:http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/spstc2011-and add the Session number to the URLPresenter: ______________________Session Name: ______________________Session No.: ______________________