Hint: Processes consist of one or more Characteristics. A characteristic is a parameter that is measured in the process. The Process branch contains each of the processes that will be monitored. A given process branch may be expanded to reveal its characteristics. You may decide to setup your database based on Parts. In that case, rename Process to Part in the Preference dialog box's Format tab and the label in this dialog box is renamed to the Define Part dialog box.
The Define Process dialog box is used to add or edit (including activate or de-activate) a Process in the database. It is opened by selecting the Process branch, then the Add Process option from the right mouse menu or Processes menu; or by selecting a specific process in the Process branch, then the Edit Process option from the right mouse menu or Processes menu.
When used to edit a Process, the User Name and Date of the last edit is shown at the bottom of the dialog box.
See also:
Spreadsheet Tab: used to specify how the Date/Time and Traceability Fields will be displayed in multiple Characteristic spreadsheets.
The following information is available:
Process Name: Enter a unique alphanumeric Process Name into the text box provided, up to 50 characters in length.
Note: If the entered Process Name already exists in the database, then an Error message is provided when the OK button has been selected, and the user is returned to the Define Process dialog box.
Process Description: Enter an optional alphanumeric Process Description into the text box provided, up to 60 characters in length.
Characteristics: A two-column list of all the Characteristics for the Process (in alphanumeric order), and their status (Active or Inactive). Select a Characteristic from the list before using the Add or Edit buttons.
Folder: Select an existing folder from the Process branch to hold the new process information. Process Folders are useful to segregate the total population of processes, such as by department.
Active Status: Select this option to make the Process status Active.
1. The Data Form will not allow data entry for Characteristics that are Inactive, or for Characteristics whose Process is Inactive.
2. Characteristics may be edited or added to Inactive Processes so that these new processes may be created and edited prior to data collection.
Choose one of the following button options:
Add: Select this button to open the Define Characteristic dialog box for adding a new Characteristic for this Process. The options currently associated with the Characteristic selected in the Characteristics list will be temporarily carried over to the new Characteristic (until the new Characteristic is saved or cancelled). No data is copied to the new Characteristic.
Note:
1. A Message is provided to create the new Process if the Process that the Characteristic is being added to has not yet been saved to the database.
2. A Characteristic may be added by selecting the process in the Process branch, then the Add Characteristic option from the right mouse menu or Process menu.
Edit: Select this button to open the Define Characteristic dialog box for changing the options associated with the Characteristic selected in the Characteristics list.
Copy: Select this button create a new Characteristic for this Process based on the options associated with an existing Characteristic in the database. The Select Characteristic dialog box is opened for choosing the existing Characteristic.
Note: A Characteristic may be quickly copied from one Process to another by dragging the Characteristic name in the Process Branch.
Remove: Select this button to delete the selected Characteristic. Deleting a Characteristic removes all the data (and Audit Trail records) associated with the Characteristic. The Characteristic is removed from Analyses and Reports (and Work Sets, when real-time option purchased).
OK: Select this button to keep any changes made to the Characteristic list or the Process Name, Description or Status fields.
Cancel: Select this button to discard any changes made to the Characteristic list or the Process Name, Description or Status fields.
Note:
1. Changes made in the Define Characteristics dialog box are kept or discarded upon exiting that dialog box.
2. Editing a Process Name or Description will update the contents of the Process table. Existing data values associated with this process will still be associated with the process, even though the name or description has been changed.