The article details the Search, Select & Review pattern in Constellation, that combines searchable selection with an always visible (or easily accessible) review area that shows the user's current selections. It lets you not only review your selections but also capture additional information for the selected item.

Why

Search, Select & Review is designed to address complex business scenarios requiring multiple item selection and bulk data operations. This functionality extends traditional single-item selection by enabling users to perform repeatable search operations, build comprehensive item lists, and propagate selected records to target tables through a streamlined, iterative process.

In Logistics order processing environments, operators frequently encounter scenarios where they must select multiple order items from catalogs, associate them with specific orders, and update various data. Traditional search and select patterns, while effective for single-item operations, become inefficient when dealing with complex orders containing numerous items that require individual search and selection operations.

The Constellation Search, Select & Review pattern addresses this challenge by providing a repeatable workflow where users can perform sequential search operations, maintain selection state across multiple searches, and systematically build comprehensive data collections. This approach transforms what previously required multiple individual operations into a cohesive, repeatable workflow that can be completed efficiently.

Search, Select & Review functionality leverages Pega Constellation's advanced data reference capabilities and auto-populate properties derived from the Data Model configuration. The system automatically generates the necessary UI components, including search fields, results tables, and selection interfaces, ensuring consistency across applications while supporting complex multi-item selection workflows.

The functionality addresses several key operational needs:

• Enables repeatable search and select operations for building comprehensive item lists.
• Supports iterative selection processes where users accumulate multiple items over several search sessions.
• Provides persistent selection state management across multiple search operations.
• Improves operational efficiency in order fulfillment and inventory management scenarios.
• In traditional applications, implementing such functionality required extensive custom development involving complex data pages, multiple action sets, and intricate state management logic. This resulted in inconsistent user experiences and increased maintenance overhead.
• The Search, Select & Review pattern in Constellation provides a standardized approach to multi-item selection workflows with an option to review selected items. This reduces development time and ensures consistent user experience across different scenarios.

Business use cases

Search, Select & Review is applicable to various operational scenarios, including:

1. Order Processing and Fulfillment:

• Multi-item order assembly from product catalogs.
• Iterative selection of order components across different categories.

2. Logistics and Supply Chain Management:

• Multi-vendor product selection for procurement operations.
• Batch processing of shipment items across different suppliers.
• Route optimization through iterative location selection.
• Carrier assignment for multiple shipment components.

3. Inventory and Warehouse Management:

• Multi-location stock transfer operations.
• Supplier association management across product categories.

Prerequisites

• The reader should have knowledge of business processes associated with order delivery within the Service to Delivery or Logistics context.
• Understanding of the Search and Select pattern in Constellation.
• Experience in configuring Embedded data, Data References and Query data relationships in Constellation.

How to implement

An example of the pattern from the business process definition with Pega GenAI Blueprint to its realization in Constellation.

Business discovery

Step1. Generate a new Application using GenAI Blueprint

With GenAI Blueprint, the Logistics Delivery application is intended to streamline the sale of telecommunications products and related services to customers, including mobile phones. Products to be included in the order are consolidated within the "Service Order" case type. The Order Manager can create multiple order items, each containing a Product selected from the product catalog. Furthermore, the Order Manager can review and modify the selected products.

The Service Order case lifecycle.

Figure 1 The Service Order lifecycle

The data model of the Service Order case type.

• Order Item is Embedded data type where multiple products are added dynamically by the Order Manager when composing the Order (thanks to the Product data reference). The Order Manager can also add additional data like the order type and products quantity.
• Product data object have a relationship 1:1 with the Order Item through a Data Reference single page.

Figure 2 Service Order data model

Step2. Run the business process to see results

The following video explain the sequence of screens.

1. Order Manager add an Order Item to the Service Order case type
2. Order Manager select the Product to deliver in the Order choosing from a Product list in a modal screen
3. Order Manager can Review the Order Item in any moment, and change the product associated

 Figure 3 Video describing the business scenario

Configuration of the application

Step1. Add Order Item to the Service Order case type

Note: This example adds a single Product to an Order Item. Is possible to generalize the pattern adding multiple products for each Order Item.

• Configure the Order Item embedded data in the Add Order and Select Product view. The table of Order Items let edit records through a modal view Add Order Item. The fields belong to Product that is referenced in the Order Item, plus Quantity and Order type fields.

Figure 4 Add Order Item and Select Product view to edit the Order in a modal

Step2. Select Products for each Order Item

• Add Order Item view is configured in class Order Item. Product Data Reference lets you select the product plus add additional data like Product Quantity and Order type.

Figure 5 Add Order Item view in class OrderItem to edit the Order

• The Product view in class Order Item uses data page Product List to select the Product through a Dropdown. The details of each Product selected are shown through the Product Details view

Figure 6 Product view in class OrderItem to select Products

Step3. Review and Modify the Order

The Review Order Item form references the Order Item embedded data. The Order Item view in class Service Order is a read only screen that shows the Order Item and related product through the Repeating View pattern.

Figure 7 Order Item view in Review Order view (form) using the Repeating View pattern

The Show Order Item view uses a two-column layout to show through two Field groups the Order information and the Product associated.

Figure 8 Show Order Item to see Order read only

Local action Modify Order uses view Add Order and Select Products to show a popup to modify the Order anytime.

Best practices

• Verify if the pattern described above is suitable for the customer use case.
• Always build the right data model from which you can start designing the Constellation views.
• To implement the Constellation patterns you might need additional data pages that retrieve the records based on the data type relationship (for example for the Product Details view you need the Product List data page from which you can select the products to add)
• Be as much prescribed as it is possible. The use of consolidated Constellation patterns helps you to achieve the desired objective in reduced time.

References

Search and Select pattern

Search and Select pattern 101

Data References

Data modelling in Constellation

Constellation patterns

Constellation 101 Series

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