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Process flows

A process flow models a step-by-step workflow, lifecycle, or pipeline directly inside an asset. Each flow is a directed graph of steps connected by edges. It gives you a visual and interactive way to describe how something works from start to finish.

Use a process flow when you want to:

  • describe a lifecycle or validation chain
  • map a pipeline with decision points
  • document a procedure that branches depending on conditions
  • walk someone through a process interactively

Before you start​

Process flows are configured on an asset type, but they are modeled inside individual assets.

To use them in practice:

  1. An administrator creates or updates an asset type in Organization -> Metamodel and enables flow on that type
  2. A user creates an asset of that asset type with flow enabled
  3. The user opens that asset's Asset 360 page
  4. The user selects the Flow editor tab

If the tab does not appear, check three things:

  • your plan includes process flows
  • the asset type has flow enabled
  • your role-domain rights grant a sufficient Flow access level on that asset type

Access​

The flow editor appears as the first tab on an asset page when the administrator has enabled the flow option for that asset type in the metamodel. Tab visibility depends on your flow access rights.

Flow access rights are managed in the asset rights table under a dedicated Flow access column for each flow-enabled asset type. You can review or change them from Organization -> Roles or Organization -> Domains. Three levels exist:

  • No access -- you do not see the tab
  • Read flow -- you can read and explore the flow
  • Edit flow -- you can modify the flow if you also have at least the Editor user type

Build a flow​

Every flow starts with an auto-created Start step. From there, you add steps, connect them, and describe each one.

  1. Open the asset and select the Flow editor tab
  2. Add a new step after the Start node or drop it onto an existing edge
  3. Connect steps by dragging from one node to another
  4. Repeat until the flow reaches one or more End steps

You can reorganize steps by dragging them onto edges or after other nodes. The editor automatically detects loops and marks back-edges with a purple dashed line and a loop badge on the affected nodes.

Step types​

A flow uses three step types beyond the auto-created Start node.

Task steps represent an operation, stage, or activity. They appear as circles on the canvas. Most of your flow will consist of task steps.

Choice steps represent a decision point. They appear as diamonds. You can add labels to outgoing flows to describe the condition for each path. This makes the decision logic easier to read at a glance.

End steps mark where a path terminates. A flow can have multiple end steps when different branches lead to different outcomes.

Describe steps​

Select a step to open the inspection panel, a side panel where you edit the step name, icon, type, and content.

The content editor supports rich text. You can reference inventory assets inline by typing their name. An autocomplete menu appears, and selected assets appear as colored tags inside the text. Boldo tracks these references so you always know which assets are involved in each step.

Each step can also carry a custom icon selected from a categorized icon picker. Icons help readers scan the flow and quickly identify what each step is about.

tip

The linked assets not used panel lists assets linked to the process through relationships but not yet referenced in any step. Use it to spot assets to place in your flow or to unlink those that are no longer relevant.

Explore a flow​

Exploration mode lets you walk through the flow interactively instead of reading it like a static image.

  1. Activate exploration mode from the canvas toolbar
  2. The flow highlights the Start step
  3. At each choice, select the path that matches your scenario
  4. The timeline records your choices as you progress
  5. Visited steps stay highlighted while non-visited nodes are dimmed

This mode is especially useful for onboarding new colleagues, audits, or reviewing decision logic with stakeholders.

Collaboration​

Multiple users can edit a flow at the same time. The editor shows live cursors, selections, and a presence panel listing connected users. You can follow another user to see their viewport and edits in real time.

Real-time collaboration makes flows well suited for:

  • process-mapping workshops
  • review sessions with subject-matter experts
  • joint documentation sprints

Canvas controls​

The canvas toolbar provides controls that make working on the flow easier:

  • Zoom and fit -- adjust the viewport or display the whole flow on screen
  • Fullscreen -- expand the editor to the full browser window
  • Grid -- show or hide the alignment grid
  • Edge animation -- animate edges to visualize flow direction
  • Lock -- prevent accidental edits during a presentation
  • Export image -- download the current view as an image
  • Search -- press Cmd+F on Mac or Ctrl+F on Windows to search across step names and text content
info

Process flows are available depending on your plan. An administrator must also enable the flow option on the relevant asset type in the metamodel settings. See Asset types for configuration details.