In this topic, the core set of BPMN elements is introduced. For simple process modeling for documentation and communication purposes, the core set provide adequate means to easily create understandable diagrams. For creating more complex process models, the complete set of BPMN elements is required. For information on the complete set of elements, see BPMN Elements and its sub-topics. The full list of BPMN elements and attributes with their descriptions can be found in Business Process Modeling Notation, V2.0 (OMG Document Number: formal/2011-01-03 Standard document URL: http://www.omg.org/spec/BPMN/2.0/PDF), which has been used also as reference for this guide.
The basic categories of BPMN elements are:
•Flow objects
•Connecting objects
•Swimlanes
•Artifacts
Flow Objects
Flow objects include events, activities, and gateways.
Name |
Description |
Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Event |
Refers to something that happens during a process. The basic event types are: •Start event: starts a process flow •Intermediate event: happens during the course of a process flow •End event: ends a process flow |
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Activity |
Functions as a generic term for the work that a company performs. The types of activities are: •Sub-process: used when the work in the process is further modeled in more detail on a lower diagram •Task: used when the work in the process is not broken down to a finer level of process model detail |
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Gateway |
Acts as a decision point in a process flow. Internal markers will indicate the type of behaviour control, which can be, in addition to traditional decision making, forking, merging, and joining of paths. |
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Connecting Objects
Connecting objects include sequence flows, message flows, and associations.
Name |
Description |
Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Sequence flow |
Used for showing the order in which activities will be performed in a process. |
|
Message flow |
Used for showing the flow of messages between two separate process participants (such as two pools in the diagram) that send and receive them. |
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Association |
Used for showing the inputs and outputs of activities by associating data, text, and other artifacts with flow objects. |
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Swimlanes
Swimlanes include pools and lanes.
Name |
Description |
Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Pool |
Represents a participant in a process. It also acts as a graphical container for partitioning a set of activities from other pools. |
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Lane |
Functions as a sub-partition within a pool and extends the entire length of the pool, either vertically or horizontally. Lanes are used for organizing and categorizing activities. |
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Artifacts
Artifacts include data objects, groups, and text annotations.
Name |
Description |
Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Data object |
Shows how data is required or produced by activities. Data objects are connected to activities through associations. |
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Group |
Grouping can be used for documentation or analysis purposes. It does not affect the sequence flow. |
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Text Annotation |
Allows a modeler to provide additional text information for the reader of a BPMN diagram. |
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