How to create your own Diagnostic framework plug-in

Many people create custom queries using PeopleSoft Query Manager and custom reports for various Reporting Tools.  There is one more tool that system administrators and IT personnel can add to their toolbelt, and this is the Diagnostic Framework (DFW).

There are various reasons why a DFW Plug-in would be a better tool than say, a custom query or report.  For one, plug-ins can be made accessible to everyone, from the main menu under Application Diagnostics.  Users are allowed to run whatever plug-in is registered, but no other.  Unlike query manager or SQL access, where one needs to worry about securing  data,  the diagnostics framework plug-ins can be written as single purpose reporting tools.  For example, users could run the AR Posting Errors (a delivered plug-in) after each ARUPDATE run, to quickly verify if any pending items went to error.