BPMN in 1C: process recording automation

Automating BPMN Modeling in 1C: Action Logging Without Manual Effort

Analysts spend hours observing users, conducting interviews, and manually drawing BPMN diagrams. The "Analyst Assistant" tool captures real actions within a 1C session, parses the logs, and generates a ready-to-use BPMN model. Time savings reach up to 80%: reducing a 3-day process to just 12 minutes.

The traditional approach relies on observation, interviews, structuring notes, and iterative refinements. Each stage carries a risk of error: users forget steps, mix up sequences, or describe an ideal "to-be" scenario instead of the actual "as-is" workflow.

How It Works: Logging and Parsing

The tool operates in two modes: automated recording and manual modeling.

As-Is / To-Be Recording Mode

Launch an external processing module on the 1C 8.3 platform (managed forms). Users perform routine tasks: opening forms, clicking buttons, creating documents. The system logs every event to a file.

Upon loading the log, the tool:

• Analyzes the sequence of actions.
• Groups them into logical blocks (e.g., document creation, posting).
• Classifies steps: start event, task, gateway, end event.
• Generates a draft BPMN diagram with a live preview powered by bpmn-js.

The result is an objective workflow sequence, free from subjective interpretation.

Manual Input Mode

For processes outside 1C or for designing "to-be" workflows, a spreadsheet-style editor is available:

• Add, delete, or rearrange rows.
• Change element types: event, task, gateway, subprocess.
• Conditional branching.
• Loops and subprocess grouping.
• Assign performers (access groups) to BPMN lanes.

The preview updates in real time, and export generates a complete diagram with connectors.

Export Formats and Integration

Output options include:

• BPMN file (.bpmn) for bpmn.io, Camunda Modeler, or StormBPMN.
• Word document featuring a step table, descriptions, and assigned roles.

Diagrams are fully compatible with external editors for artifact refinement, team collaboration, or import into enterprise BPM systems.

Performance Metrics

Testing on standard workflows revealed:

| Approach | Time per Process |

|----------|------------------|

| Manual | 3 days (24 hours) |

| Automated Tool | 12 minutes (0.2 hours) |

Time savings range from 80% to 95%. For 5–10 processes monthly, this frees up to 10 working days. Resources are redirected toward optimizing business logic rather than manual diagramming.

Use Cases

• In-house analysis: Capturing actual employee operations.
• Management: Auditing compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Implementation teams: Documenting existing workflows.
• Process design: Building "to-be" models via manual input.

Tested on standard and industry-specific 1C configurations. Custom solutions may require additional validation.

Technical Requirements

• 1C:Enterprise 8.3 with managed forms.
• Internet access for live preview (bpmn-js); offline export supported.
• External processing module; no core configuration modifications required.

Key Takeaways

• Automatic parsing of 1C logs into BPMN without manual note-taking.
• Support for both as-is (actual actions) and to-be (design) modeling.
• Export to .bpmn and Word for seamless integration with third-party editors.
• Up to 80% time savings on process modeling.
• Spreadsheet-style editor with lanes and subprocess support.

— Editorial Team