subject: Using Microsoft Visio To Design Sharepoint 2010 Development Workflows [print this page] One of the most interesting features that SharePoint 2010 development offers is the feature of workflow design for enterprises and businesses. Microsoft Visio helps with defining business requirements graphically and many users have become quite familiar with this tool. In the past couple of years more clients are now using Microsoft Visio to create mock up of their process flows such as flow charts or even assembling together comprehensive swim lane diagrams.
With the launch of SharePoint 2010, it is now possible for developers to take output from Visio and then further utilize it to create workflow with SharePoint. Visio now offers a new template under the flowchart category of Microsoft SharePoint Workflow and this can be utilized to create models of business processes that contain SharePoint specific actions and conditions.
Steps to understand SharePoint Workflow Development in Visio
1.In order to create a new process map, click on File and then on New under Visio
2.Click on the flowchart category under Choose a Template form
3.Select the template Microsoft SharePoin Workflow
4.Select the measure unit, which is available as metric units or US units and then click on Create
5.A new blank canvas will be displayed on which the SharePoint workflow development has to be defined. The tab Quick Shapes shows some of the most common items that can be used to develop a process map. It is important that SharePoint 2010 development workflow must initiate with a Start action and End action where the workflow process may conclude. It is important that the user labels all the conditions and actions in the right manner.
6.Visio also features a tool that appears on the Process tab on the ribbon, which helps with validating the map that has been drawn. It helps in identifying different types of errors such as not labeling certain conditions
7.Once the errors have been rectified, the next step is to select Export on the Process tab. This shows Save As dialogue that allows the user to specify a location to save the file. The file has to be saved with .VWI extension.
8.Designer has to be launched and connected to the Site where the workflow has to be deployed. This will in all probability be a test site to validate the process. Once the site is connected, the Workflows link has to be clicked.
9.The Ribbon and Select Import from Visio can then be accessed
10.Open the earlier file and take a decision if it will be imported as a reusable workflow or will it be associated with a SharePoint object
11.The SharePoint Workflow design has to be imported and it has to be turned into the standard Designer pseudo-code style layout.
12.Once the SharePoint development workflow is configured, it can be published by clicking onPublishon the Workflow tab.
13.The workflow is now made available on SharePoint 2010 development platform and it is accessible both through the site as well as the list that it is associated with.
These are the different steps that explain how SharePoint Workflow development takes place through using the capabilities of Microsoft Visio.
