12.2.2.6 Inter-Process Links (IPLs)

Inter-Process Links (IPLs) connect one flow object to another, either within the same process or between different processes.

• Intra-Process Links: Used within the same process to avoid clutter.
• Inter-Process Links: Used to link between different processes.

*Tip: Intra-Process Links are useful for avoiding clutter when a flow object later in the process needs to loop back to the beginning or vice-versa.

Modelers can create IPLs on Start and End events when mapping processes in the Diagram Editor.

Creating IPLs

1. Navigate to the a process’ Diagram Editor
Only users with ‘Write’ permission on the process can edit the diagram.

2. Identify the Flow Objects
Decide which flow objects (e.g., Start or End event) you want to link. For example, link the End event “Invoice assessed” in the “Invoice Assessment” process to the Start event “Invoice Inbound” in the “Audit invoices and key data in AP system” process.

3. Edit IPL
Right-click the Event and select ‘Edit IPL’.

4. Search & Select the Process
Type the process name in the search bar or use the tree selector to find the process. Click the desired process from the search results.

6. Select the Event
Choose the an event from the ‘Select a flow object’ drop-down menu.

The selected event will appear under “Existing Inter-Process Links (IPLs)”

7. Click “Done”
After creating the IPL, an annotation with a hyperlink will appear on the relevant event.

8. Save the Diagram

9. View IPLs
The IPL will be displayed in the Diagram view. Depending on the Map Option selected, clicking on the IPL will either expand the IPL in the same window to view both processes at the same time, or it will take you to the linked process’ Diagram view. To learn how to customize this setting, please click here.

*Tip: The same event can have multiple IPLs. Repeat steps 1-7 to create additional links.

Removing IPLs

1. Select the Event
In the Diagram Editor, select the event with the IPL you want to remove.

2. Edit IPL
Right-click the event and select Edit IPL.

3. Remove the IPL
In “Existing Inter-Process Links,” click the “X” next to the IPL you want to remove.

4. Click “Done”
The IPL annotation will be removed from the process.

Rules for Assigning Processes

• Hierarchy: You can only select processes below the process set level.
• Self-Linking: You cannot link a process to itself; attempting to do so will result in an error message.
• Validity: Only valid processes can be selected. Invalid selections will result in an error message.
• Process Selection: You can only select processes, not individual flow objects or entire folders.
• Event Selection: You can only select a flow object event after choosing the process, either from the tree selector or by typing in the name.
• Single Selection: Only one flow object can be selected per IPL.
• Consistency: The behavior of swimlane maps and flat maps should remain consistent when linking two processes through an IPL.
• RASCI Behavior: The behavior of RASCI (Responsible, Accountable, Supportive, Consulted, Informed) with swimlanes remains the same when linking two processes, whether they have the same or different RASCI.
• View Preference: The diagram view preference will depend on the first process, and the linked IPL process will convert to that view.