Testing Workflows in IdentityNow Using Webhook.site

Workflow Testing with Webhooks

In this blog post, I will be explaining how webhooks can be leveraged in IdentityNow to obtain and test workflow output. Testing workflow output is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation and creation of Workflow. In this article, we’ll dive into webhooks and provide a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

WARNING: webhook.site is a third party website. Please be careful with the data you send to it. It is not recommended to use real data or any personally identifiable information when sending information to webhook.site.

Understanding Webhooks

Webhooks are a way for applications to communicate with each other in real-time. In the current context, webhooks serve as a mechanism to receive notifications about specific events, such as response from workflow actions. By leveraging webhooks, you can capture workflow output and use it for the further requirement.

Obtaining Workflow Output using Webhooks

Creating a Webhook for testing purposes

  1. Go to Webhook.site.
  2. Navigate to your Unique URL.
  3. Copy the URL.

Defining the Workflow Output Endpoint

  1. Select HTTP Action as action in the workflow.
  2. Set the endpoint URL, i.e. the URL we copied to receive webhook notifications.
  3. Leave the Authentication field empty.
  4. Configure the webhook to send data in the desired format (e.g., JSON).

Example Workflow:-

To get the changes passed by “Identity Attributes Changed” trigger:

image

Output:-

For your reference, I have attached the Workflow JSON file. You can make customizations based on your workflow testing requirements.

WebhookTest.json (916 Bytes)

Mapping Workflow Output to Webhook Payload

  1. Determine the relevant attributes or data that you want to include in the webhook payload.
  2. Map the workflow output to the appropriate fields in the webhook payload for further processing.

Where can Webhook Payload be used?

  1. To determine the response body and response code by a previous HTTP Action:
    By including the payload below (needs to be changed depending upon endpoint), you can easily extract and verify the response details from a previous HTTP action, ensuring the expected body content, status code, and response headers.
{
  "Body":{{$.hTTPRequest.body}},
  "Status Code": {{$.hTTPRequest.statusCode}},
  "Response Headers":{{$.hTTPRequest.headers}}
}
  1. To check loop inputs and operations within a loop:
    The webhook payload can help in examining loop inputs and operations. You can include relevant loop data to validate the correctness and effectiveness of the loop logic.
  2. To check if the constructed body is correct:
    By including body in the webhook payload, you can confirm whether the constructed body contains the intended values. This is particularly useful when creating dynamic content for actions or requests.
    {"comment":"Reassigned to Manager","newOwnerId":"{{$.loop.context.id}}"}

The webhook payload can be utilized for numerous other testing scenarios as well. It provides flexibility in verifying data transformations, evaluating conditions and branching logic, and ensuring the accuracy of generated output. The possibilities are vast, allowing you to adapt the webhook payload to suit the specific needs of your workflow and testing requirements.

Testing Workflow Output with Webhooks

Setting up a Test Environment

  1. Create a test user or scenario in IdentityNow that triggers the workflow you want to test.
  2. Configure the test workflow to generate output that you can verify.

Triggering the Workflow and Receiving Webhook Notifications

  1. Initiate the execution of the workflow for the test user or scenario.
  2. Monitor the webhook notifications sent to your defined endpoint.
  3. Verify the completeness and accuracy of the workflow output received through the webhook.

Handling Errors and Debugging

  1. Troubleshoot common issues that may arise with webhook notifications.
  2. Analyze error messages or response codes to identify the source of any problems.
  3. Revise the workflow or webhook configuration as needed to address any issues encountered.

Best Practices for Workflow Output Testing

Documenting and Organizing

Document your webhook configurations and test scenarios to ensure consistency and ease of maintenance.

Comprehensive Testing

Conduct thorough testing of various workflow scenarios to ensure robustness and reliability.

Monitoring and Alerting

Establish monitoring and alerting mechanisms to proactively detect and address webhook failures.

Conclusion

By harnessing the power of webhooks in IdentityNow, you can streamline your workflow testing and ensure the smooth operation of your identity management processes. We’ve explored the steps involved in obtaining workflow output using webhooks and provided best practices for effective testing. Implementing webhook-based testing not only enhances the efficiency of your identity management system but also boosts the overall security and compliance of your organization.

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Webhook.site can also be hosted locally using their GitHub Repo.