Branches

Branches show you the available paths through a process. A branching point is identified by a blue diamond called a decision point. From here you can add branches.

Up to a maximum of 15 choices per decision point are supported by ALM. You can import JSON files into ALM to create a process definition document. For more information, see ALM-Process definitions.

Branches

Create a branch (Add decision point)

To create a branch:

  1. Add a decision point by right-clicking a group or branch, and selecting Add decision point.

    2. The decision point is added directly after this group or branch.

  2. Right-click the decision diamond to display the shortcut menu and select the required option.

    • Edit decision – Edit the text within the diamond and each condition point.

      Edit decision dialog

    • Delete decision – Delete the decision point. A confirmation dialog displays to warn you that all connected branches will be deleted. See Delete a decision point.

    • Capture new branch – Capture a new process and insert it as a new branch.

    • Load saved branch – Add pre-saved captures to a branch.

    • Add empty branch – Add a branch as a placeholder that can be added to later. This enables you to create the skeleton of a process without adding detail all at once.

Connect to an existing branch

In some circumstances, you may want to connect a decision point to an existing branch, instead of loading or capturing a new branch. For a connection to work, it must follow the correct flow set out in the default or custom best practice process template.

If the connection is viable, you can connect a decision point to a branch by dragging a connection arrow between any of the blue dots on the decision point and the branch. You can start from the decision point or the branch.

To connect a decision point to an existing branch:

  1. Hover over the blue dot from which you want the connection to originate.

    2. The mouse cursor displays as a cross.

    Hover over blue connection dot

  2. Click the dot and drag your mouse towards the blue dot that you want the connection to join up with.

    3. An arrow displays, one end attached to the original blue dot, and the other end attached to the cursor.

    Drag connection

  3. Hover over the blue dot that you want the connection to join up with.

    4. The mouse cursor displays as a cross.

    Join connection to a branch

  4. Release the mouse button.

    5. Connection example

    The new connection displays between the decision point and the existing branch.

Edit branch name

To rename a branch:

  1. Right-click the branch and select Edit branch name from the shortcut menu.

    2. The Edit branch screen displays.

  2. Enter a new branch name into the Branch name field, and click Confirm.

    3. The Edit branch screen closes and the new branch name displays on the main process screen.

Delete a decision point

Deleting a decision point also deletes all branches and connections coming from that decision point. If you want to keep a branch, you will need to use the Cut, Copy, and Paste options to move the branches before deleting the decision point.

The following example shows how to delete a decision point, without losing any of the grouped steps to the right of the decision point.

1

This branch shows the unwanted decision point and the other grouped steps to the right.
2

Cut or copy all the grouped steps you want to keep. Select them all and select Cut groups (Ctrl+X) or Copy groups (Ctrl+C) from the shortcut menu, or use the shortcut keys.
3

Right-click the decision point and click Delete decision or press the Delete key on your keyboard. You will see a warning about all connected branches being deleted. Click Delete.
4

With the decision point now deleted, right-click the last group and click Paste groups Ctrl+V, or use the shortcut keys.
5

The branch is restored to how it was before the decision point was added.

Delete a branch

If you delete a branch, any other branches that are connected to it are also deleted. If you delete the first branch of a process, a warning message displays.

There are two ways to delete a whole branch.

Option 1 – Right-click any step in the branch you want to delete and click Delete branch.

A warning displays asking you to confirm that you want to delete the selected branch. Any branches connected to the selected branch will also be deleted.

Option 2 – Open the Edit decision dialog and click the X next to the branch you want to delete.