===== Starting a Process Instance =====
Process instances can be started using either the ToDo-Client or the Process-Manager Client. Both options require that the user have the right to start an instance for the given process definition. 

==== Starting an instance in the Process Manager Client ====

The **processes** table in the process manager client displays the available process definitions. By clicking on the plus-icon, an instance for the selected process definition can be started.


{{:software:tim:startInstance_en.png?800|}}

Before the instance initiates, a pop-up appears in which the instance parameters can be entered; these include the instance name and description as well as the intended starting and ending dates.

{{:software:tim:startInstance2_en.png?800|}}

^ Element ^ Description ^
| **1** | Here the instance is given a user-defined name. |
| **2** | Here an additional description for the instance, for example, a description of the instance function or other information, can be entered. |
| **3** | Here the scheduled start for the instance is entered. This is relevant primarily for the [[en:support:cpm | CPM-Modul ]]. |
| **4** | Here the scheduled end for the instance is entered. This is relevant primarily for the [[en:support:cpm | CPM-Modul ]]. |
| **5** | Once the required information is entered, clicking this button starts the instance. |
| **6** | The **Smartform**-tab opens the Smartform of the given process. Here, information that becomes relevant after the instance start can be entered. |
| **7** | In **Documents** tab, instance-related documents can be attached. |

===Requirements for starting an instance===
Not every user has the rights to start an instance for a process definition. In order to grant a user the rights to start an instance, the following criteria must be fulfilled: 
  * the user must be registered as a **starter** in Signavio (or iGrafx), or be part of a group which is registered as a **starter**
  * the user must have the starter [[roles| rights ]] 

If all criteria are met, the user is able to start an instance within the relevant process definition.

==== Starting an instance in the Todo Client ====

In the Todo Client you can start instances via the context menu in the upper right corner of the screen (see screenshot).

{{:software:tim:todostartpi.png?600|}}

In the **My startable process** pop up you can select the process definition to start an instance from (see Screenshot).

{{:software:tim:todostartpi2.png?600|}}

The necessary parameter to start an instance, have to be enter in the same way as in the Process Manager Client.

==== Starting an instance via a webform ====
Process instances can be from without TIM via a [[en:software:tim:webform|Webform]]. This particularly useful if not all process participants have access to TIM. How to create webform is described in detail in the [[en:software:tim:webform|Webform page]].\\
\\ In the webform the process instance is created on submission by the following line. In the example a process instance of the **8D Problem Solving** process is created.
<code><input type="hidden" name="processdefinition" id="processdefinition" value="8D Problem Solving" /></code>
<note important>To start a process instance via a webform, the respective process definition has to be published in TIM</note>

==== Starting an instance via a URL ====
Furthermore instances can be started via a URL. To do so, the term **startProcessInstanceByProcessDefinition="name of the process definition"** is attached to the TIM server URL.\\
The following example URL starts an instance of the 8D Problem Solving process
<code>http://tim.taskinmotion.de/loom-portal/client/todo/index.htm?startProcessInstanceByProcessDefinition=8D%20Problem%20Solving</code>
<note important>To start a process instance via a webform, the respective process definition has to be published in TIM</note>