Oracle BPA Suite tips: #3. Define a method filter

Now that we have installed the software (see my previous post, tip #2), it is time to start thinking about the modeling we will be doing. There are over one hundred models in the BPA Suite that you can choose from. This is nice: you can pick any model that you like. But this is also a pain: You have to pick a model you like! For example, to model a business process you can use EPC’s or BPMN. Usually when you like and know one, you don’t need the other. BPA Suite has a solution for this: Method Filters. BPA Suite comes standard with a set of these filters. If you open the administration view, and select ‘Configurations’, then select ‘Conventions’ you can click on ‘Filter’ and it shows all the filters that are defined for this database. There are two types of filters: evaluation filters and method filters. Here we are talking about a method filter. The predefined filters are:

• Demo Database
• Easy Filter
• Entire Method
• Extended Standard Filter
• Oracle BPA Filter
• Simulation Filter

The best way to define your filter, is to base on the models that are in a databse. Take to the following steps to accomplish this:

1. Create a dedicated database, call it something like ‘method’ or ‘conventions’ or ‘reference’
2. Sit together with the people that will be responsible for the models and decide on the groups, models, objects and attributes for the different layers in the architecture that will be used. Don’t add too many. It is easier to add something later than to remove it. Consistency is easier to maintain with a small filter than with a large filter.
3. Add an example of every model in every layer.
4. Create a filter based on the database content. Select “create” and select “create from a database automatically”. Fill in the other details

You are ready for the next step!