| # Business control diagrams in the modeler A business control diagram is composed of several components which visualize the primary process. The following components can be distinguished: Primary Flows Primary Activity Buffers Customer order de–coupling point Business Functions External Agents Triggers Primary flow The primary flow in a business control diagram shows the primary process controlled in that diagram. This flow can be a goods flow, financial flow, or an information flow. Primary processes, buffers, and one customer order de-coupling point can be placed on the primary flow. Each primary flow type has its own session; here, you can specify a description and repository help. The following three sessions are linked to the primary flow: The Goods Flow Details (tgbrg9188s000) session The Financial Flow Details (tgbrg9187s000) session The Information Flow Details (tgbrg9189s000) session Primary activity Primary activities represent the activities that take place in an organization. Primary activities form the basis of that organization, such as receipt of raw materials, production of subassemblies, final assembly, and delivery of the final products. In the Primary Activity Details (tgbrg9172s000) session, you can specify an external code and a category. You can also give the primary activity a description and Repository Help. Buffer Buffers on the primary flow represent stock points that occur between the primary activities, such as raw materials in storage, storage of sub assembled goods, and storage of final products. The Buffer Details (tgbrg9174s000) session offers the same functionality as the Primary Activity Details (tgbrg9172s000) session. Customer order de-coupling point The customer order de-coupling point (CODP) is located on the primary flow, and indicates to what extent the order of a customer influences the primary process of an organization. Example If customers can only order a product from stock, the CODP is fairly close to the end of the primary flow. If a customer determines the design of the product, the CODP is closer to the beginning of the primary flow. There is no session related to this topic. Function Business functions are used in business control diagrams to show how the primary activities and buffers are controlled. However, business functions only show what controls a primary activity or buffer, but not how this is done. In the Function Details (tgbrg9170s000) session, you can select a business function from the Business Functions (tgbrg2500m000) session and specify an external code and category. By using transformation rules, you can link a business process to the business function. External agent Because all organizations depend on external factors on which they have no influence, such as customers, suppliers, and the government, you can add external agents to the business control diagram. By external agents, you can show how the environment influences your organization. The External Agent Details (tgbrg9171s000) session offers the same functionality as the Primary Activity Details (tgbrg9172s000) session. Trigger Triggers show which business functions control which primary activities or buffers. These arrows are sent from one component to another and are always twofold. Therefore, there needs to be an incoming and outgoing trigger linked to every component that participates in the primary process. To visually distinguish the different kinds of triggers used in the business control diagram, in the Trigger Details (tgbrg9180s000) session, select a category. Area Areas are used to visualize which functions are related. If you move an area, all graphical objects within the area move with it.
Shortcut menu
Symbols/ Relations | Shortcut command | Attribute type | Comments
--- | --- | --- | ---
Applicable to all | Properties | Session | See session Help.
| Description | Text | -
| Repository/ Model Text | Memo | The icon indicates repository Help is present. The icon indicates model Help is present.
Area | Color | Color | -
| Function | Symbol | -
Function | Category | Boolean | Used to visualize related same category functions, primary activities, and buffers.
| Link To Business Function | Link (1) | The attached business function holds the processes that make up the function. To view the processes using the Processes command, you must save and exit the diagram. To view the processes linked to the function, open the diagram again.
| Time Trigger | Boolean | -
| Processes | List | Displays the business processes linked to the function using the Link To Business Function command.
External Agent | - | - | -
Information Flow, Goods Flow, Financial Flow | Primary Activity | Symbol | -
| Buffer | Symbol | -
| CODP | Symbol | Only one allowed on a flow.
Primary Activity | Category | Boolean | Used to visualize related same category functions, primary activities, and buffers.
Buffer | Category | Boolean | Used to visualize related same category functions, primary activities, and buffers.
CODP | Color | Color | -
Trigger | Direction | Boolean | One way, Reverse or Both Ways.
| Category | Boolean | To create the trigger's categories, use the Properties command.
| Style | Style | -
| Mid point | Mid point | To insert a midpoint, the line style must be of type free.