In a process, data is being changed and transported by events and activities. This data is stored in the process context.

In the modeling environment of SAP NetWeaver Business Process Management, the process context is represented by a data structure defined in an XSD file. To add the process context and import all the data types that are needed, you import an XSD file. The XSD file defines the data types you assign to data objects. You use data objects to define input and output data, which you map to an activity in the process you model. To track the data changes you need to define the input and output mapping. The mapping in the process composer does not support all data types.

For all XSD-related limitations, see the SAP Note 1468084.

The process context is the sum of all data objects including the roles information.

Each process is provided with a predefined data structure called ProcessInstanceAttributes that contains a read-only data object ProcessInstanceId. It holds the ID of the process instance which is acquired at runtime automatically. This data object is not visible on the modeling surface in the process diagram and cannot be deleted. It is visible in the mapping editor and below the Context node in the expression editor. If you are using a process that is created in an older version of the modeling environment of SAP NetWeaver Business Process Management, you can update it with this data structure by applying a quick fix. For more information about how to accomplish this, see Applying Quick Fixes for Updating the Process Context.