Back to: ONE Standard - PCF® Industry Loader
Table of Content
- Prerequisities
- Accessing the PCF Content from APQC
- Run the Industry Loader Script
Tutorial video: How to get your PCF content database in ARIS
After completing the technical setup of the ONE Standard – PCF® Industry Loader, the next step is to import the actual PCF® content into your ARIS database. This guide walks you through the required steps to execute the content import using the provided loader mechanism. The result is a fully structured process architecture aligned with the APQC PCF® framework and the ONE Standard methodology.
Prerequisites
Before starting the import, ensure that:
- The ONE Standard – Foundation is installed
- The PCF® Industry Loader is technically set up (Phase 1 completed)
Accessing the PCF® Content
To import content into ARIS, the required Process Classification Framework (PCF®) data must be obtained from APQC.
APQC offers different membership models, but a free registration is sufficient for accessing the required files.
Required: PCF® Structure
- Register on the APQC platform (free, corporate email required)
- Log in to access downloads
- Download the PCF® Excel file (cross-industry or industry-specific)
- Note: Only the Excel format is supported for import.
Entry points:
- Cross-industry PCF®:
https://www.apqc.org/resource-library/resource-listing/apqc-process-classification-framework-pcf-cross-industry-excel-12 - Industry-specific PCF® overview:
https://www.apqc.org/process-frameworks/industry-specific-process-frameworks
At the time of this content creation, we understand that the PCF content is generally permitted for use from a copyright perspective. However, this does not constitute legal advice, and each user is responsible for verifying the applicable rights and restrictions independently. This verification can be performed by reviewing the provided Excel file, which contains a dedicated sheet titled “Copyright” outlining the permitted and restricted use cases. Based on the versions currently available to us, the publisher typically indicates that full usage rights are granted; however, this should be confirmed on a case-by-case basis.
Optional: Metric Definitions (Recommended)
The PCF® Excel file already includes metric references and basic definitions. However, additional metric descriptions (e.g., detailed explanations and attributes) are provided separately by APQC.
- Download available via:
- https://www.apqc.org/LicensingGettingStarted > See: "Definitions" (under Toolkit)
- alternatively: direct link to Jan. 2026 version
These additional files extend the imported metrics with further attributes (e.g., descriptions) in ARIS.
Strongly recommended to include in the import.
Strongly recommended to include in the import.
Some industry-specific PCF® packages provided by APQC do not include metric definitions nor mapping to the process elements.
As a result, no additional metric descriptions are available for import.
As a result, no additional metric descriptions are available for import.
Run the Industry Loader Script
- Open ARIS Repository via "Models and Objects" in the menu.
- Select the target database (e.g. PROJECT TEMPLATE - ONE Standard for PCF Import (v...) )
- Start the Loader Script
- Go to Reports and select:
- ONE Standard PCF Industry Loader Script
- Start the report.
- Confirm Method Filter
- Confirm that the correct ONE Standard method/filter is active.
- → If installed via Gallery or manual setup, this is already ensured.
- Acknowledge Copyright Notice by APQC
- → Ensure usage rights have been reviewed beforehand (see PCF Excel “Copyright” sheet).
- Enter PCF names:
- Industry name + Version (follow required syntax)
- Upload the main PCF Excel file with the industry-specific process information
- Upload the optional xls sheet with Metric Definitions
- The import process starts
→ Runtime: approx. 5 - 10 minutes
Result
- A fully structured PCF database is created in ARIS
- Process hierarchy, attributes, and metrics (if available) are automatically generated
- Content is ready for immediate use and further modeling
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