Process Authoring allows a Process Engineer to incorporate Method Elements into process structures. For example, a Work Breakdown Structure format familiar to Project Managers. The processes can be included in a configuration to be published as part of the published web site, and can also be exported to Rational Portfolio Manager.
In Method Authoring the Process Engineer defines Roles, Tasks, Work Products and Guidance and defines the relationships between these elements.
In Process Authoring the process engineer defines additional lifecycle elements such as Activities (summary tasks), Phases, Iterations, and Milestones, that can then be used to compose the core elements into processes. A complete process corresponding to a project plan or a phase we call a Delivery Process (corresponding to Small RUP, for example). We can also create smaller more granular sections of process, termed Capability Patterns that can be used as building blocks to more easily compose delivery processes.
Each time a task is included in a process, a copy of that task is created in the context of the process. We call this a Task Descriptor. The same task can be included any number of times in the same process. This allows, for example, the same RUP task to be included in each Iteration in each RUP Phase. A Task Descriptor can also modify the base task without actually changing the task. For example, roles and work products can be added or suppressed, steps can be suppressed or re-sequenced.
Roles and Work Products are also included in processes as Role Descriptors and Work Product Descriptors. Roles and Work Products can also be customized to fit with the context of the process in which they are used.
Composer supports three types of process diagrams:
This shows the (sub) activities in a higher level activity. It shows the sequence relationships between the activities.
This shows the tasks in an activity with their performing roles and input and output work products.
This diagram can be used to show how a work product is dependent on other work products.
These diagrams can then be included in the published web site. The diagrams are automatically generated (to a degree) and inherently synchronized with the Work Breakdown Structure. Changes to the process structure using the diagram editor are automatically reflected in the Work Breakdown Structure, and vice versa.