Using Annotations in the Process Model

An annotation is an artifact that allows you to attach notes to individual elements in the process model, such as flow objects, swim lanes and data objects. Annotations provide additional text information about individual elements but do not affect the flow of the process. You can optionally connect the annotation to one or more elements in the process model with an association, to show which element the annotation belongs to. The association you use is a type of connection.

When you use annotations in the process model, you proceed as follows:

Create the annotation in the process model
Enter the text information in the annotation.
Optionally, connect the annotation to an element in the process model.

Prerequisites

You have opened the Process Development perspective in the SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio and have expanded your project in the Project Explorer view.
You have created a process model containing flow objects, swim lanes or data objects.

Procedure

1. Create the Annotation

Expand Process Modeling, then expand Processes.
In the context menu of a process, choose Open.
Expand Artifacts from Palette.
Choose Annotation and click the modeling surface.
The annotation appears in the place you clicked with a box inside, where you enter the text information.
Enter the text you want to provide as additional information in the box of the annotation.

Note
Alternatively, you can open the Properties view of the annotation and enter the text in the Documentation field.

End of the note.
Click anywhere in the modeling surface.
The annotation containing the additional information you want to provide is created.

2. (Optional) Connect the Annotation to an Element

Expand Process Modeling, then expand Processes.
In the context menu of a process, choose Open.
Expand Connections from Palette.
Choose Association and choose an annotation in the modeling surface.
Connect the annotation to one or more flow objects, swim lanes or data objects using drag and drop.

Note Note

When the annotation refers to the default pool in the process model, you cannot connect the annotation with association to the default pool. For more information about pools, see Defining Process Participants Using Pools.

End of the note.