A process object is a way to associate processes with business entities or classes. You can think of a process object as a precursor to a class.
Each process object is based on one business entity. You can also associate derived logical processes (see Derived logical processes in process hierarchy diagrams) to the process object. A derived logical process is a precursor to a class method. Typically, a derived logical process operates on one instance of the business entity.
Process Objects can be specified within the event, result, elementary business process, mandatory flow, and optional flow definitions of a Process Chart or Process Map diagram.
Note A Process Object contains Simulation properties. To see all properties that you can set for a Process Object, you should turn on Simulation properties for the encyclopedia. Select Tools, Customize Method Support, Encyclopedia Configuration, and in the dialog that opens, toggle on the Simulation choice. Close the dialogs and reopen the encyclopedia to make the changes take effect.
Graphical representation
You can create a graphical hierarchy of Process Objects on the Process Hierarchy diagram. You can group them by Logical Process Hierarchy. The Logical Process Hierarchy symbol is defined as an Organizational Entity.
For example, an event called Receive Customer Order might generate the process object Order, which in itself is based on the Order entity. You can then add derived logical processes to the process object which identify the various processes that can be applied to Order. Examples of derived logical processes are Place Order, Display Order and Cancel Order.