Process Engine (Phase 5) — Epic #127
Status: Partially implemented in current ILS-dev (module-item sequencing and prerequisite unlock rules confirmed)
Purpose
The Process Engine layer governs progression rules between learning items so students unlock the next item only after meeting the required condition on the previous item.
Who should use it
- Teachers: define progression rules for class pacing.
- Curriculum designers: encode sequence prerequisites in module flow.
- Students: follow guided progression where access depends on prior completion outcomes.
- Coordinators: validate that progression rules are consistent across modules.
Current implementation status
Confirmed functionality
- Module item sequencing with lock/unlock rules
- Unlock conditions: submitted, graded, or passed (score >= 55%)
- Lock controls available in Module Composer
- Student unlock logic based on submission status and scores
Not yet implemented
- Dedicated process engine for workflows beyond module sequencing
- Generic workflow or state machine UI
- Advanced process definition and instance management
Unlock conditions
| Condition label (UI) | Stored value | Unlocks when |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted | submit |
Student has a submission with status in submitted, graded, or returned |
| Graded | grade |
Student has a submission with status graded |
| Passed (>=55%) | pass |
Student has graded submission and score >= 55 |
The first item in a module sequence has no previous-item dependency and is not lock-gated by this rule.
Step-by-step tasks (teacher/designer)
- Open Module Composer
- Build the sequence of assignments and quizzes for your module
- For each item after the first, enable a lock if progression should be gated
- Choose the unlock rule: submitted, graded, or passed
- Save and verify the sequence order and lock settings
Expected outcomes and example
Example sequence:
| Position | Item | Lock setting | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quiz A | none | Always available |
| 2 | Assignment B | locked, grade |
Opens after Quiz A is graded |
| 3 | Quiz C | locked, pass |
Opens after Assignment B is graded and >= 55 |
Student-facing behavior: the next item remains locked until the condition is satisfied on the previous item.
UI navigation labels
- Access Module Composer from admin tools
- Sequence controls: lock toggle and unlock condition dropdown
- Unlock options: submitted, graded, passed
Troubleshooting
- Item never unlocks: verify previous item has a matching submission status/score for the selected rule.
- Wrong rule behavior: confirm stored
unlock_onvalue (submit,grade,pass) matches intended UI option. - First item lock confusion: first item is not governed by previous-item lock rule.
Implementation references
This page describes the Phase 5 Process Engine feature roadmap and current module-sequencing implementation status.
Last updated: Process Engine implementation audit (Epic #127)