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Run & Instance Management

The Run section provides complete visibility and control over all process instances across your environments (Test, UAT, Prod). From high-level monitoring to detailed instance management, you can track execution status, debug issues, and manage instance lifecycles in real-time.

To access it: Go to Monitoring > Run from the top navigation menu.

1. Instance Monitoring Dashboard

Statistics Overview

The main dashboard provides instant insights into your process execution:

  • Process & Instance Counts: Total number of processes and launched instances
  • Status Distribution: Visual breakdown of instances by status:
    • Running: Currently active and executing steps
    • End: Successfully completed instances
    • Error: Failed instances requiring attention

Each status card shows both absolute numbers and percentage distribution with progress indicators.

Interactive Filtering

Click on any status card to automatically filter the instance list by that status.

2. Instance List & Filtering

Filter Controls

  • Status Filter: Select from dropdown (All, Running, End, Error)
  • Environment Filter: Switch between Test, UAT, and Prod environments using color-coded buttons:
    • Test: Yellow indicator
    • UAT: Blue indicator
    • Prod: Green indicator

Instance Table

Each instance row displays:

  • Index: Sequential numbering
  • Name: Instance identifier
  • Created At: Launch date and time
  • Project: Associated project with color-coded tag
  • Process: Process name with tag
  • Status: Current execution status with color coding

Click on table rows to navigate:

  • Project column: Opens project builder in new tab
  • Process column: Opens process builder with specific process
  • Other columns: Opens instance details interface

3. Error Notification Configuration

Configure automated alerts for process failures:

Setup Process

  1. Click the notification icon in the right panel
  2. Configure notification channels:
    • Projects: Select which projects to monitor
    • Email Notification: Add recipient email addresses
    • Slack Web Hook: Configure Slack integration
    • Google Chat Hook: Set up Google Chat notifications
    • MS Teams Web Hook: Configure Microsoft Teams alerts

Benefits

  • Stay informed about recurrent failures
  • Reduce response time to critical issues
  • Customize notification scope per project

3.1 Setting Up Webhook Integrations

Slack Webhook Setup

  1. Create a Slack App:

    • Go to https://api.slack.com/apps
    • Click "Create New App""From scratch"
    • Enter app name (e.g., "SoftyFlow Notifications") and select your workspace
  2. Enable Incoming Webhooks:

    • In your app settings, go to "Incoming Webhooks"
    • Toggle "Activate Incoming Webhooks" to On
    • Click "Add New Webhook to Workspace"
  3. Configure Channel:

    • Select the channel where notifications should be sent
    • Click "Allow" to authorize the webhook
  4. Copy Webhook URL:

    • Copy the generated webhook URL (format: https://hooks.slack.com/services/T00000000/B00000000/XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)
    • Paste this URL in the "Slack Web Hook" field in SoftyFlow

Example Slack Webhook URL format:

https://hooks.slack.com/services/T1234567890/B1234567890/abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx

Google Chat Webhook Setup

  1. Open Google Chat:

    • Navigate to the Google Chat space where you want notifications
    • If you don't have a space, create one by clicking "+ Create space"
  2. Configure Webhooks:

    • In the chat space, click on the space name at the top
    • Select "Apps & integrations"
    • Click "Add webhooks"
  3. Create Webhook:

    • Enter webhook name (e.g., "SoftyFlow Alerts")
    • Optionally add an avatar URL for the webhook
    • Click "Save"
  4. Copy Webhook URL:

    • Copy the generated webhook URL (format: https://chat.googleapis.com/v1/spaces/XXXXXXX/messages?key=YYYYYYY&token=ZZZZZZZ)
    • Paste this URL in the "Google Chat Hook" field in SoftyFlow

Example Google Chat Webhook URL format:

https://chat.googleapis.com/v1/spaces/AAAABbbbCCCc/messages?key=AIzaSyDdI0hCZtE6vySjMm-WEfRq3CPzqKqqsHI&token=abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz123456789

Microsoft Teams Webhook Setup

  1. Open Microsoft Teams:

    • Navigate to the Teams channel where you want notifications
    • If you don't have a channel, create one or use an existing team
  2. Add Incoming Webhook Connector:

    • Click on the "..." (more options) next to your channel name
    • Select "Connectors"
    • Search for "Incoming Webhook" and click "Configure"
  3. Configure Webhook:

    • Enter a name for the webhook (e.g., "SoftyFlow Process Alerts")
    • Optionally upload an image for the webhook
    • Click "Create"
  4. Copy Webhook URL:

    • Copy the generated webhook URL (format: https://[tenant].webhook.office.com/webhookb2/[GUID]@[GUID]/IncomingWebhook/[GUID]/[GUID])
    • Click "Done"
    • Paste this URL in the "MS Teams Web Hook" field in SoftyFlow

Example MS Teams Webhook URL format:

https://yourtenant.webhook.office.com/webhookb2/12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012@12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012/IncomingWebhook/abcdefgh12345678/87654321-4321-4321-4321-210987654321

3.2 Webhook Security Best Practices

  • URL Protection: Keep webhook URLs secure and don't share them publicly
  • Regular Rotation: Periodically regenerate webhook URLs for security
  • Team Access: Only provide webhook configuration access to authorized team members
  • Testing: Test webhook configurations before deploying to production

3.3 Notification Message Format

SoftyFlow sends structured notifications containing:

  • Instance Name: Failed process instance identifier
  • Error Type: Classification of the error
  • Timestamp: When the error occurred
  • Project Information: Associated project details
  • Direct Links: Quick access to instance details for troubleshooting

3.4 Troubleshooting Webhook Issues

Common Issues:

  • Invalid URL: Ensure the webhook URL is copied correctly without extra characters
  • Expired Webhooks: Some platforms may expire webhooks after inactivity
  • Permission Issues: Verify the webhook has proper permissions to post messages
  • Network Restrictions: Check if your organization's firewall allows outbound webhook connections

Testing Webhooks:

  1. Save your webhook configuration in SoftyFlow
  2. Manually trigger a test notification or wait for a process error
  3. Check the configured channel/space for the notification message
  4. If messages don't appear, verify the webhook URL and permissions

4. Performance Handling

Timeout Management

For large datasets that may take time to load:

  • Automatic timeout detection
  • Option to "Load Anyway" for comprehensive data
  • Prevents browser freezing on large instance sets

5. Instance Details Management

Click on any instance to access comprehensive management tools across multiple views:

5.1 Schema View - Process Visualization

Visual Process Tracking

  • Interactive BPMN diagram showing process flow
  • Real-time activity status highlighting:
    • Running: Orange with animated dashed border
    • Completed: Green with solid highlighting
    • Error: Red with error animation
    • Default: Gray standard appearance

Instance Lifecycle Controls

  • Revive: Resume paused instances from specific activities
  • End Instance: Manually terminate execution (affects all related tasks)
  • Save: Persist current instance state
  • Switch Version: Update instance to different process version

Activity Management

  • Click any BPMN element to view detailed information
  • Add new activities to running instances
  • Edit activity status and properties
  • Handle parallel gateway flows and branch variables

5.2 Variables Management

Variable Operations

  • View: Display all process variables with their current values
  • Edit: Modify variable values inline or with JSON editor
  • Add: Create new variables with type specification (string, number, array, json)
  • Delete: Remove variables with confirmation

Variable Types Support

  • String values: Direct text input
  • Boolean values: Checkbox interface
  • Date values: Date picker
  • Numeric values: Number input with validation
  • Objects/Arrays: Advanced JSON editor with syntax highlighting

Variable Categorization

  • Master Variables: Main process variables
  • Branch Variables: Parallel gateway branch-specific variables
  • Duration Variables: Automatically calculated timing metrics

5.3 Measures Management

Performance Metrics

  • View calculated KPIs and performance indicators
  • Edit measure values for recalculation scenarios
  • Add custom measures with specific values
  • Track SLA compliance and duration metrics

Operations

  • Inline editing for simple measure types
  • JSON editor for complex measure objects
  • Real-time value updates

5.4 Tasks Management

Task Oversight

  • Task List: View all user and system tasks
  • Task Properties:
    • Name and creation timestamp
    • Current status (Running, End, Error)
    • Assigned users and groups
    • Task-specific metadata

Task Operations

  • Edit: Modify task assignments (users and groups)
  • View: Open task interface in new tab
  • Delete: Remove tasks with confirmation
  • Update Status: Change task execution state

Assignment Management

  • Multi-select user assignment with search
  • Group assignment with visual group management
  • Dynamic user/group loading for large organizations

5.5 Sub-processes Management

Child Instance Tracking

  • View all spawned sub-process instances
  • Track sub-process status and relationships
  • Navigate to child instance details
  • Monitor parallel execution flows

Sub-process Information

  • Step ID and Activity ID mapping
  • Status inheritance from parent process
  • Direct access to child instance management

5.6 Comprehensive Audit Logs

Log Categories

  • Process Actions: START_PROCESS, RESUME_INSTANCE
  • Instance Updates: UPDATE_INSTANCE, UPDATE_INSTANCE_MEASURES, UPDATE_INSTANCE_ACTIVITIES
  • Task Operations: VALIDATE_TASK, UPDATE_TASK, DELETE_TASK
  • Interface Access: OPEN_INTERFACE tracking

Log Features

  • Advanced Filtering:
    • User-based filtering with search
    • Date range selection
    • Action type filtering
    • Details text search
  • Detailed Information: Full object information for each log entry
  • Pagination: Efficient navigation through large log sets

Log Analysis

  • User activity tracking
  • Timestamp-based analysis
  • Action pattern identification
  • Debugging support with full context

6. Advanced Instance Operations

Version Management

  • Current Version Display: Shows active process version
  • Version Switching: Update instances to newer process versions
  • Version History: Access to all available versions per environment

Error Handling & Recovery

  • Error Visualization: Failed activities highlighted in red
  • Error Details: Comprehensive error information with stack traces
  • Recovery Options: Multiple paths to resolve instance issues
  • Manual Intervention: Direct control over stuck processes

Activity Flow Control

  • Manual Activity Addition: Add missing activities to running instances
  • Parallel Gateway Handling: Proper branch variable management
  • Flow Resumption: Resume from specific activities
  • Status Override: Manual status changes for recovery scenarios

7. Instance Lifecycle States

StatusDescriptionVisual Indicator
RunningProcess actively executing stepsOrange animation
PendingWaiting on user tasks, conditions, or scheduled timersYellow static
CompletedAll tasks executed successfullyGreen solid
On HoldExecution paused (waiting for external input or reactivation)Blue static
RejectedProcess explicitly rejected by user or logic pathRed static
FailedError occurred (API failure, condition not met, missing data, etc.)Red animation
CanceledInstance manually stopped or withdrawnGray static

8. Performance Features

Efficient Data Loading

  • Progressive Loading: Load data as needed to maintain responsiveness
  • Timeout Protection: Prevent browser freezing on large datasets
  • Background Operations: Non-blocking operations for better user experience

Real-time Updates

  • Status Synchronization: Real-time status updates across all views
  • Activity Highlighting: Immediate visual feedback on process changes
  • Log Streaming: Live log updates for active monitoring

This comprehensive Run & Instance Management system provides complete control over your process execution environment, from high-level monitoring to granular instance manipulation, ensuring efficient process operations and rapid issue resolution.