Action Handlers:

 Definition: Action handlers are scripts or functions that perform specific actions automatically
when certain conditions or events occur within a workflow.
 Techniques:
o Predefined Actions: Utilize built-in actions provided by the PLM system, such as
sending notifications, updating status fields, or generating reports.
o Custom Actions: Develop custom scripts or functions to perform specialized actions
tailored to organizational requirements.
o Triggering Conditions: Define conditions or events that trigger action handlers, such as
task completion, status change, or specific data entry.
 Examples:
o Predefined Actions: A predefined action sends an email notification to all reviewers
when a document is submitted for review, ensuring timely attention.
o Custom Actions: A custom script automatically updates the status of a product design to
"Under Review" when all related documents are uploaded and linked in the PLM system.
o Triggering Conditions: An action handler triggers a quality check task when a product
design document is marked as complete, ensuring compliance with quality standards.

Rule Handlers:
 Definition: Rule handlers are logic-based mechanisms that enforce business rules and constraints
within workflows to ensure compliance with organizational policies and standards.
 Techniques:
o Business Rules: Define business rules using logical expressions that specify conditions
and actions based on workflow data and events.
o Validation Rules: Create validation rules to ensure data integrity and correctness,
preventing workflow progression if conditions are not met.
o Conditional Branching: Configure conditional branching in workflows to direct tasks
and approvals based on rule evaluations.
 Examples:
o Business Rules: A business rule enforces that all change requests must be approved by at
least two department heads before implementation.
o Validation Rules: A validation rule checks that all required fields in a task form are
completed before allowing the task to be marked as done.
o Conditional Branching: A rule handler evaluates the complexity of a design change
request and directs it to either a standard approval path or an expedited review path based
on predefined criteria.

Configuring Action and Rule Handlers:

Techniques for Configuring Action Handlers:
 Event-Based Triggers: Configure action handlers to be triggered by specific events, such as task
assignment, task completion, status change, or document submission. This ensures that actions are
performed automatically at the right time.
 Scripting and Automation: Use scripting languages (e.g., JavaScript, Python) to develop custom
actions that perform complex tasks, integrate with external systems, or manipulate workflow data.
 Parameterization: Define parameters for action handlers to make them reusable across different
workflows. Parameters can include task details, user information, document attributes, and other
relevant data.
Examples of Action Handlers:
 Notification Action:
o Scenario: When a new change request is submitted, a notification action sends an
email to all stakeholders.
o Implementation: A predefined action handler is configured with the email template,
recipient list, and triggering event (change request submission).
 Document Status Update:
o Scenario: When a document review is completed, an action handler automatically
updates the document status to "Reviewed."
o Implementation: A custom script is developed to change the document status based
on the task completion event, ensuring real-time status updates.
 Data Synchronization:
o Scenario: When a product design is approved, an action handler synchronizes the
design data with the ERP system.
o Implementation: A custom integration script is configured to trigger on approval,
pushing relevant design data to the ERP system via API calls.

Techniques for Configuring Rule Handlers:

 Logical Expressions: Define rules using logical expressions that evaluate workflow data and
conditions. Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) can be used to combine multiple conditions.
 Rule Sets: Organize rules into rule sets to manage complex business logic efficiently. Rule sets
can group related rules, making them easier to maintain and update.
 Decision Tables: Use decision tables to define rules in a tabular format, mapping conditions to
actions. This visual representation simplifies the management of complex rule logic.
 Error Handling: Implement error handling mechanisms to manage rule violations gracefully.
This can include user notifications, corrective actions, and logging for audit purposes.
Examples of Rule Handlers:
 Approval Rule:
o Scenario: A rule handler ensures that high-priority change requests require approval from
senior management.
o Implementation: A business rule is defined to check the priority level of change requests.
If the priority is high, the rule handler routes the request to senior management for
approval.
 Validation Rule:
o Scenario: A rule handler validates that all required fields are completed in a task form
before submission.
o Implementation: A validation rule is created to check for empty required fields. If any
required field is empty, the rule handler prevents task submission and prompts the user to
complete the missing fields.
 Conditional Branching Rule:
o Scenario: A rule handler directs complex design changes to an expedited review path.
o Implementation: A conditional branching rule evaluates the complexity of design
changes based on predefined criteria (e.g., impact, risk level). If the change meets the
criteria for complexity, the rule handler directs it to an expedited review path with
specialized reviewers.

Integration with Other Systems:

Action and rule handlers can also be integrated with other enterprise systems to enhance workflow
capabilities and ensure seamless data exchange. Here’s how:
Techniques for Integration:
 API Integration: Use APIs to connect PLM workflows with ERP, CRM, MES, and other
systems. Action handlers can trigger API calls to push or pull data between systems.
 Webhooks: Configure webhooks to receive real-time updates from external systems and trigger
corresponding actions in PLM workflows.
 Middleware: Utilize middleware platforms to facilitate integration, data transformation, and
orchestration between PLM and other enterprise systems.
Examples of Integration:
 ERP Integration:
o Scenario: When a new product is released, an action handler pushes the BOM and design
specifications to the ERP system.
o Implementation: An API call is configured within the action handler to send the BOM
and design data to the ERP system, ensuring manufacturing and procurement teams have
the latest information.
 CRM Integration:
o Scenario: Customer feedback received through the CRM system triggers a change
request in the PLM system.
o Implementation: A webhook is set up to listen for feedback submissions in the CRM
system. When new feedback is received, the webhook triggers an action handler to create
a corresponding change request in the PLM workflow.
 MES Integration:
o Scenario: Manufacturing execution system (MES) updates are synchronized with PLM
workflows to track production progress.
o Implementation: Middleware facilitates the exchange of production status updates
between the MES and PLM systems. Action handlers in the PLM workflow update task
statuses and notify stakeholders based on MES data.

Ensuring Compliance and Security:

Action and rule handlers also play a crucial role in maintaining compliance and security within PLM
workflows.
Techniques for Compliance and Security:
 Access Controls: Configure action and rule handlers to enforce access controls, ensuring only
authorized users can perform certain actions or access sensitive data.
 Audit Logs: Implement audit logs within action and rule handlers to record user activities,
changes, and rule evaluations for compliance auditing.
 Data Encryption: Ensure that any data transferred or stored by action handlers is encrypted to
protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Examples of Compliance and Security:
 Regulatory Approval Tracking:
o Scenario: A rule handler ensures that all regulatory approvals are obtained before a new
product is released.
o Implementation: Business rules are configured to check for necessary regulatory
approvals. If approvals are missing, the rule handler prevents the product release and
notifies the responsible team.
 User Access Control:
 o Scenario: Sensitive design documents can only be accessed by authorized personnel.
o Implementation: Action handlers enforce role-based access controls, ensuring that only
users with the appropriate roles and permissions can view or edit sensitive documents.
 Audit Trail Creation:
o Scenario: All changes to product designs must be logged for compliance auditing.
o Implementation: Action handlers are configured to create audit logs for each change
made to product designs, recording details such as the user who made the change, the
nature of the change, and the timestamp.

User Interface Customization for Action and Rule Handlers:

To enhance user experience and ease of use, PLM systems can be customized to provide intuitive
interfaces for managing action and rule handlers.
Techniques for UI Customization:
 User-Friendly Interfaces: Design user-friendly interfaces for creating and managing action and
rule handlers, with drag-and-drop functionalities, wizards, and guided setups.
 Role-Based Dashboards: Provide role-based dashboards that display relevant actions, rules, and
workflow statuses, tailored to the needs of different user roles.
 Mobile Accessibility: Ensure that interfaces for managing action and rule handlers are accessible
on mobile devices, allowing users to monitor and interact with workflows on the go.
Examples of UI Customization:
 Action Handler Setup Wizard:
o Scenario: A setup wizard guides users through the process of creating new action
handlers.
o Implementation: The wizard provides step-by-step instructions, including selecting
triggering events, defining actions, and setting parameters, making it easy for users to
configure action handlers without extensive technical knowledge.
 Rule Management Dashboard:
o Scenario: A dashboard displays an overview of all active rules, their statuses, and recent
evaluations.
o Implementation: The dashboard provides filtering options, search functionalities, and
visual indicators to help users quickly identify and manage rules, ensuring efficient
oversight of workflow logic.
 Mobile-Friendly Interfaces:
o Scenario: Users can monitor and manage workflows from their mobile devices.
o Implementation: Mobile-friendly interfaces offer responsive designs, touch-friendly
controls, and offline access, enabling users to interact with workflows, action handlers,
and rule evaluations while on the move.
In conclusion, action and rule handlers are vital components in PLM workflows that automate tasks,
enforce business rules, and enhance compliance and security. By leveraging various techniques and
customizations, organizations can optimize their workflows, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and
adherence to standards. Through thoughtful configuration and user interface customization, action and
rule handlers can significantly improve the overall PLM experience, driving productivity and
innovation throughout the product lifecycle.

Teamcenter can automatically route parts to certain users or groups based on the value of custom
attributes:
1. Part Category Routing:
o Scenario: Different departments handle different categories of parts. For instance,
electrical parts should be reviewed by the Electrical Engineering team, while
mechanical parts should be reviewed by the Mechanical Engineering team.
o Custom Attribute: Part Category (Electrical, Mechanical, etc.)
o Workflow Rule: If the Part Category is "Electrical," route the part to the Electrical
Engineering group. If the Part Category is "Mechanical," route it to the Mechanical
Engineering group.
2. Priority-Based Routing:
o Scenario: Parts with high priority need to be expedited and reviewed by senior
engineers.
o Custom Attribute: Priority Level (High, Medium, Low)
o Workflow Rule: If the Priority Level is "High," route the part to the Senior
Engineering group. If the Priority Level is "Medium" or "Low," route it to the general
Engineering group.
3. Region-Specific Routing:
o Scenario: Parts designed for different regions require review by region-specific
teams to ensure compliance with local regulations.
o Custom Attribute: Target Region (NA, EU, APAC)
o Workflow Rule: If the Target Region is "NA," route the part to the North America
Compliance team. If the Target Region is "EU," route it to the Europe Compliance
team. If the Target Region is "APAC," route it to the Asia-Pacific Compliance team.
4. Lifecycle Phase Routing:
o Scenario: Parts in different lifecycle phases need to be reviewed by different groups.
For example, parts in the "Design" phase should be reviewed by the Design team,
while parts in the "Production" phase should be reviewed by the Manufacturing team.
o Custom Attribute: Lifecycle Phase (Design, Production, Maintenance)
o Workflow Rule: If the Lifecycle Phase is "Design," route the part to the Design
group. If the Lifecycle Phase is "Production," route it to the Manufacturing group. If
the Lifecycle Phase is "Maintenance," route it to the Maintenance group.