BPMN Elements
The palette on the left side of the editor contains the BPMN 2.0 shapes you can add to a diagram. Click the arrow at the top of the palette to switch between the narrow icon view and the wide labeled view; items with a small arrow open a flyout with more specific variants.
Events
Events mark things that happen during a process.
| Element | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Start event | Where the process begins. |
| Intermediate event | Something that happens mid-process. Choose between the throw variant (the process produces the event) and the catch variant (the process waits for it). |
| End event | Where a path of the process finishes. |
Tasks
Tasks are the work steps of the process. The Task flyout offers the standard BPMN 2.0 task types:
| Element | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Task | A generic unit of work. |
| User task | Work a person performs in an application. |
| Service task | Work performed automatically by a system. |
| Send task | Sending a message to an outside participant. |
| Receive task | Waiting for a message from an outside participant. |
| Manual task | Work done outside any system. |
| Business rule task | Evaluating a business rule or decision. |
| Script task | An automated script step. |
| Call activity | Invoking another, separately defined process. |
Gateways
Gateways split and join the flow.
| Element | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Exclusive gateway | Exactly one outgoing path is taken. |
| Parallel gateway | All outgoing paths run at the same time. |
| Inclusive gateway | One or more outgoing paths are taken. |
| Event-based gateway | The path is decided by whichever event happens first. |
| Complex gateway | A branching condition that doesn't fit the other types. |
Containers and Data
| Element | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Sub-process | A group of steps that form a process of their own. |
| Pool | A participant in the process (a company, department, or system). Add lanes inside a pool to show roles. |
| Data object | Information a step reads or produces. |
| Data store | A place where data is kept beyond the life of the process. |
| Text annotation | A free-text note attached to the diagram. |
Hints on Problem Elements
While you edit, elements with potential problems - for example a task with no connections yet - show a small yellow marker. Use the markers as a checklist while you complete the diagram.