Workflow based solution for SharePoint ‘10

SharePoint, a web application platform developed by the software giant Microsoft was launched in 2001. It has been used in intranet content management and document management as well. The recent versions of this SharePoint have many more capabilities than these two. It has a multipurpose set of web technologies as a result of which this is useful for many organizations wherein technical infrastructure remains common.

SharePoint is used in many organizations around the world for automation of internal process where multiple users can collaborate together as a part of a single process. One of the main techniques of creating such automation is the use of Workflow. SharePoint has a Workflow Engine in built. Whenever objects like List, Document library are created then it can be managed as per the rules which are specified in the workflow. Dot net development has gained a lot from the Sharepoint’s new version as it has done the work for developers much easier.

Workflow can be created using SharePoint 2010 designer and it has 2 types

• Sequential Workflow: It has one start point and from there it can be taken further and completed successfully and terminated based on the defined conditions.

• State Machine Workflow: It is based upon the state transition methodology. This requires human intervention at various stages as complex business processes are created.

Shown below are both these Workflow models. The sequential Workflow is same as flowcharts in which a start and end both are defined while in state machine the starting is with Initial State, then there are various transitions which determine the path of the workflow.

The Workflow instances can start at actions like

• Creation of document or List item.• Automatically when the document or List item comes into existence or is changed.

Sequential Workflow State Machine Workflow

Creation of Workflow for SharePoint 2010 applications

The Workflow creation is possible with SharePoint Designer 2010 (SPD) and VS 2010. The workflow which is designed in SPD can be exported to VS and can be edited there. Here we have explained steps for creation of workflow using SPD.

Creating List in SPD

For the sake of simplicity here we will use the example of patient admission process when he/she visits the hospital.

• Initially, open the URL in the browser using SPD and click on Lists on the left side panel.• As soon as you click on it there is a new page shown with All site contents. There click

on Create

• From the options shown go to Filter By – List – Custom List. Name the list as Patient Admit. This list will contain information of patients and based on the category of disease the associated workflow returns the fees of doctor and information of registration fees.

• As mentioned earlier one can export the workflow to VS for modification in future. Since this a reusable workflow is to be created. It requires Site Columns for defining rules. This can be done by visiting Site Settings – Site Columns.

• For creation of the rest of the columns for the list go to Patient Admin Category from the left side panel. Then one gets List details from where List Settings is to be selected.

• Create Column is to be used for creation of columns. If the site columns are already created then for adding columns in that list Add from existing site columns should be used. This gives a page where the site columns are specified from where it can be selected.

Following these steps properly will give you a list ready for use in the Workflow.

About the author:

Kathy is a chief software consultant in a leading IT firm involved in dot net development. She interacts with the clients and understands the needs of their automation process they require and then takes it forward systematically for the developers. To read more article of this Author please visit here:

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