Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Using Export Data to Link a BPM to CDM

While working a process definition, I started creating a number of data entities to support the processes. Once the initial three diagrams were created, there were about 15-20 data items that now needed some better definition. So, who do you go about this in PowerDesigner?

The process can go in two directions, which I keep forgetting.
The first is to open the conceptual data model (CDM), then open the business process model (BPM). while the BPM is the active model in view, use the Tools menu and select 'Import Data'. This will allow the BPM to grab all the Data Entities and generate the Data objects in the BPM that are assigned to processes or flows.
The second way, as I did, is to create the BPM with a set of data in it. This will then allow you to 'Generate Conceptual Model', which will reuse the data objects that were just created.

Anyway, why do you want to do this?
So that the DBA's know what processes the databases are supporting for one. In PowerDesigner, this also leads you to the O/R mapping between the physical data model and the application, or OOM, model.

will get some screenies on these two options later this week.