Skip to main content

BPMN diagrams

A Business Process Diagram, using Business Process Model and Notation (BPMNBPMN An ISO/OMG standard graphical notation for modeling business processes. Process360 Live uses BPMN 2.0 for design and simulation artifacts.), is a graphical representation of a process — for communication, documentation, analysis, and implementation. It shows the end-to-end flow of a transaction through a business process, and its behavior can be simulated.

Overview​

Create a BPMNBPMN An ISO/OMG standard graphical notation for modeling business processes. Process360 Live uses BPMN 2.0 for design and simulation artifacts. diagram under the repository root or in any document (non-enterprise-object) folder — see Create and edit a diagram, which also covers importing BPMN XML.

BPMN object categories​

BPMNBPMN An ISO/OMG standard graphical notation for modeling business processes. Process360 Live uses BPMN 2.0 for design and simulation artifacts. uses four kinds of objects:

  • Pools and lanes — each top-level swimlane is a BPMNBPMN An ISO/OMG standard graphical notation for modeling business processes. Process360 Live uses BPMN 2.0 for design and simulation artifacts. Pool; each child is a Lane. They contain the other objects.
  • Flow objects — the shapes that represent process steps:
    • Events — something happens, such as the start or end of the flow.
    • Activities — work is performed, or a sub-process is referenced.
    • Gateways — control the flow of a token (transaction) through the process.
  • Connection objects — the lines between flow objects and swimlanes:
    • Sequence flow — a token moves between shapes; a solid line with an arrowhead.
    • Message flow — information moves between pools; a long-dashed line with an arrowhead.
    • Association — attaches an artifact to what it annotates; a short-dashed line with no arrowhead.
  • Artifacts — textual or graphical notes and annotations.

Shape library sets​

The Shapes panel offers these BPMNBPMN An ISO/OMG standard graphical notation for modeling business processes. Process360 Live uses BPMN 2.0 for design and simulation artifacts. object sets, so you can work from a focused palette:

  • Core — the most-used objects.
  • All — every available object.
  • Containers — all container objects.
  • Tasks: All / Standard / Extended — all, commonly used, or additional task objects.
  • Gateways — all gateway objects.
  • Events: All / Top Level / Boundary — all event objects, primary process events, or receive-and-catch objects.
  • Data Objects — data collection, input, and output objects.
  • Artifacts & Graphics — Group artifact and Initiating / Non-Initiating Message objects.

Setting object properties and describing objects​

Once a BPMNBPMN An ISO/OMG standard graphical notation for modeling business processes. Process360 Live uses BPMN 2.0 for design and simulation artifacts. object is on the canvas, set its properties in the Diagramming panel — the available settings depend on the object. For example, you can change an Event, Task, or Gateway to another type within its category (a Generic Task to a User Task, but not to an Event); set Repeat Type and conditional-output cases on tasks; designate a pool as a multi-instance participant; and mark Embedded, Event, and Collapsed Sub-Processes as Ad-hoc, Transaction, or Compensable.

To make a shape (or the whole diagram) describe an enterprise object, use the Describes panel.

Related tasks & references​