What is the most straight-forward method to deploy a new workflow definition in Alfresco Community 4.0.e?

Question

I am having a hard time deploying a new workflow definition in Alfresco Community 4.0.e. Alfresco does not have any user interface for this in the Community Edition. I could not find any Alfresco add-on related to this either. I have had a look at a lot of pages discussing this, such as these:

• Difficulties in deploying my own workflow in alfresco workflow console
• Add new workflow into Alfresco share
• https://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Custom_Share_Workflow_UI
• http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Workflow_Console
• http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Dynamic_Models#Dynamic_workflow_process_definitions
• http://www.jorambarrez.be/blog/2011/01/05/adhoc-workflow-with-activiti-kickstart/
• http://www.jorambarrez.be/blog/2012/11/28/from-design-to-execution-in-a-matter-of-minutes/
• http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Workflow_on_Share

However, I could not get it to work yet. As the BPMS is a key subsystem of Alfresco, I am nearly sure I not using the correct instructions.

What is the most straight-forward method to deploy a new workflow definition in Alfresco 4.0.e? Are there any clear step-by-step instructions, for dummies :) which I can follow?

Answer 1

I think you missed the most important wiki: http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/WorkflowAdministration

Here you can install the Eclipse plugin for JBPM. Make sure you enable these properties:

### BPM Engine ###
system.workflow.engine.jbpm.enabled=true
system.workflow.engine.jbpm.definitions.visible=true
system.workflow.deployservlet.enabled=true

If you configure the plugin correctly, then automatic deployment of the workflow is possible. (Still need to restart when deploying models)

If you want to follow the activiti path then: http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Workflow_with_Activiti

Almost the same path, like installing an Eclipse plugin or using another BPMN20 designer. The only different aspect is that you need to manually deploy the workflow (export as .bar file and import it in the Activiti admin-console)