3.2 Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN)
2 min read•august 7, 2024
Business Process Model and Notation () is a powerful tool for visualizing and standardizing business processes. It uses graphical elements like events, activities, and gateways to map out workflows, making complex processes easier to understand and analyze.
BPMN's organizational structures and diagram types help businesses communicate processes clearly. By using pools, lanes, and various diagrams, companies can break down complex operations, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency across different departments and even between organizations.
BPMN Core Elements
Events, Activities, and Gateways
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- Events represent things that happen instantaneously during the process and affect the flow (start , end event, message received)
- Activities are the work that is performed within a business process and can be atomic or compound (, , , )
- Gateways are used to control the divergence and convergence of sequence flows and determine branching, forking, merging, and joining of paths (, , , )
Flows and Connections
- Sequence flows are used to show the order that activities will be performed in a process and can have conditions (, , )
- Message flows are used to show the flow of messages between two participants (pools) that send and receive them
- Associations are used to link information and artifacts with BPMN graphical elements and can be directional or bi-directional
BPMN Organizational Structures
Pools and Lanes
- Pools represent participants in a process and act as a graphical container for partitioning a set of activities from other pools
- Lanes are sub-partitions within a pool used to organize and categorize activities based on function or role (, )
Data Objects and Artifacts
- Data objects provide information about what activities require to be performed and/or what they produce (, , )
- Artifacts are used to provide additional information about the process and do not directly affect the flow (, )
BPMN Diagram Types
Collaboration and Choreography Diagrams
- Collaboration diagrams depict the interactions between two or more business entities and the exchange of messages between them
- Choreography diagrams represent the way business participants coordinate their interactions, focusing on the exchange of information rather than the activities performed
Conversation Diagrams
- Conversation diagrams provide a high-level view of the interactions between participants, abstracting the details of the underlying process and choreography
- These diagrams show the logical relationships between message exchanges (, ) without specifying the sequence or timing of the interactions
Key Terms to Review (33)
Activity: An activity is a specific task or set of tasks performed within a business process that contributes to achieving a particular goal. Activities can vary in complexity and may involve one or more participants, resources, or inputs, highlighting their importance in shaping the workflow of processes. Understanding activities helps identify how work is accomplished and how it can be optimized for efficiency.
Artifact: In the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), an artifact is a visual element that provides additional information about the process, helping to clarify context or highlight important details. Artifacts help in enriching the process model by including supplementary data that isn’t directly part of the workflow, thus enhancing understanding and communication among stakeholders.
Association: In the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), an association is a visual connection that links artifacts, such as data objects or text annotations, to flow objects within a process diagram. This helps provide context and additional information without interfering with the actual process flow, making it clearer for stakeholders to understand how different components relate to each other.
BPMN: Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is a standardized graphical notation used to model business processes. BPMN provides a set of symbols and rules for creating process diagrams, which help organizations visualize, analyze, and improve their workflows. This notation plays a crucial role in the business process management lifecycle by offering a clear and consistent way to represent processes, ensuring effective communication between stakeholders, and enabling better design and implementation of workflows.
Call Activity: A call activity is a specialized type of activity in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) that represents a process that can be reused in multiple locations within a process model. It acts like a sub-process, allowing for modular design and organization of complex processes by encapsulating tasks that can be called upon whenever needed. This feature enhances the clarity of models and promotes efficiency by reducing redundancy.
Choreography Diagram: A choreography diagram is a visual representation that illustrates the interactions and collaborations between multiple participants in a business process. It focuses on the sequence of messages exchanged and the roles of each participant, providing clarity on how various entities coordinate their actions to achieve a common goal.
Collaboration Diagram: A collaboration diagram is a type of visual representation used in modeling to show the interactions between various elements in a system, often emphasizing the roles and relationships among those elements. In the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), it illustrates how different participants or components collaborate to achieve specific business objectives, making it easier to understand the flow of processes and tasks.
Conditional flow: Conditional flow refers to a decision-making mechanism in process modeling that directs the sequence of activities based on certain conditions or criteria being met. This concept is crucial in understanding how processes can branch into different paths, allowing for dynamic responses to varying situations. By integrating conditional flows, models can accurately represent real-world scenarios where the outcome of one activity determines the next steps in a business process.
Conversation Diagram: A conversation diagram is a type of visual representation used to model the interactions between participants in a business process. It emphasizes the communication and relationships between different entities, often depicting how they exchange information through messages in a structured format. This diagram is crucial for understanding the collaborative aspects of a process, showcasing the flow of information among various stakeholders.
Data collection: Data collection is the systematic process of gathering, measuring, and analyzing information from various sources to gain insights and make informed decisions. This process is crucial in understanding business processes and evaluating performance, as it provides the necessary information to create accurate representations of workflows and identify areas for improvement.
Data input: Data input refers to the process of capturing and entering information into a system for processing, analysis, or storage. It is a critical step in business processes and automation, as the accuracy and timeliness of data input can significantly impact decision-making and operational efficiency. Effective data input methods enhance workflow and ensure that the information used within various business applications is reliable and actionable.
Data object: A data object is a structured representation of data that is used to capture, manage, and communicate information within a business process. It serves as a key element in modeling processes, helping to define inputs, outputs, and the information flow between different activities. By representing various types of information, such as documents or databases, data objects facilitate understanding and analysis of how data interacts throughout a process.
Data output: Data output refers to the information that is produced and made available after processing raw data. In business process automation, it serves as a crucial bridge between data processing activities and decision-making, highlighting how results are communicated and utilized. The format, accuracy, and relevance of data output are essential, as they influence the effectiveness of further analysis and actions taken by organizations.
Default flow: Default flow refers to the predefined path that a process takes in a business process model when no other conditions are met. This concept is crucial in visualizing how activities are executed in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), providing clarity on the primary sequence of actions. Understanding default flow helps ensure that processes run smoothly and predictably, guiding users through the expected order of operations without confusion.
Event: In the context of business process modeling, an event is a significant occurrence that can trigger or affect the flow of a process. Events can be categorized as start events, intermediate events, and end events, each serving a specific purpose in defining the lifecycle of a business process. They help in indicating changes in state, signaling the start or conclusion of activities, and providing information about conditions or circumstances impacting the process flow.
Event-based gateway: An event-based gateway is a decision point in a business process that determines which path to follow based on events rather than conditions. This type of gateway allows for the process to react dynamically to incoming events, making it essential for managing scenarios where the exact order of activities may vary due to unpredictable factors. Event-based gateways are represented in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) by a diamond shape with a small circle inside, clearly distinguishing them from other types of gateways.
Exclusive gateway: An exclusive gateway is a decision point in a business process model that allows only one of several possible paths to be taken based on a specific condition or choice. This means that when the process reaches an exclusive gateway, it evaluates certain criteria and proceeds down the path corresponding to the chosen option, effectively creating a branching point in the flow of the process. It plays a critical role in defining how a process can diverge based on particular outcomes, enabling flexibility and adaptability in process design.
Finance lane: The finance lane refers to a specific pathway within business process modeling that focuses on financial processes and activities. It highlights how financial transactions and operations are managed, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting, while integrating with other business processes. This lane is crucial for understanding the flow of financial information and ensuring proper alignment with overall organizational goals.
Gateway: A gateway is a decision point in a process that determines the path of flow based on specific conditions or events. It serves as a critical component in modeling business processes, allowing for the branching and merging of workflows based on various criteria, making it easier to manage complex processes effectively.
Group: In the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), a group is a visual element used to represent a collection of related tasks or activities within a process. Groups are not meant to affect the flow of the process but instead serve as a means of organizing and categorizing elements for better clarity and understanding. By using groups, it becomes easier to manage complex processes and communicate their structure effectively.
Inclusive gateway: An inclusive gateway is a type of decision point in a business process model that allows for one or more branches to be taken simultaneously based on certain conditions. This means that, unlike exclusive gateways where only one path can be chosen, inclusive gateways offer flexibility by enabling multiple pathways to be activated at once, accommodating complex decision-making scenarios. They are depicted in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) with a diamond shape containing a circle inside, which visually communicates the potential for concurrent paths.
Lane: A lane is a visual element used in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) to represent a participant in a process, often within a pool. It serves to organize the various activities and tasks that are executed by that participant, allowing for a clear delineation of responsibilities. Lanes help to illustrate interactions between different participants and clarify the flow of tasks in a business process diagram.
Message Flow: Message flow refers to the communication between different elements in a business process, primarily represented through arrows in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) diagrams. It illustrates how information is exchanged between participants, such as different business entities or processes, ensuring clarity and understanding of interactions within the workflow. Understanding message flow is crucial for identifying how tasks and decisions are linked across various processes.
Normal Flow: Normal flow refers to the standard or expected sequence of activities in a business process, typically depicted in a process model. It illustrates how tasks are meant to be executed under usual circumstances, providing a clear and straightforward pathway for understanding how the process functions. This concept is vital in process modeling as it helps identify the main steps involved and highlights any deviations that may occur.
Parallel Gateway: A parallel gateway is a type of element in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) used to control the flow of processes by enabling multiple paths to be executed simultaneously. This gateway allows for splitting a process into multiple branches that can run at the same time or synchronizing them back into a single flow, making it essential for modeling concurrent activities within a business process. It enhances efficiency and illustrates how different tasks can be completed independently before converging again.
Related Conversations: Related conversations refer to the interconnected dialogues or communications that occur between different stakeholders involved in a business process. These conversations can include discussions among team members, stakeholders, and customers, and are essential for ensuring clarity, alignment, and effective decision-making in the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). Understanding these conversations helps in mapping out processes more effectively by capturing varying perspectives and inputs that shape the process.
Sales Lane: A sales lane is a designated pathway or process in a business's sales operation that outlines how leads move through the sales cycle, from initial contact to final conversion. This term is closely linked to the efficiency and organization of sales processes, allowing teams to visualize and optimize their workflows. By defining distinct lanes, businesses can better track progress, identify bottlenecks, and enhance overall sales performance.
Sequence Flow: Sequence flow is a fundamental component in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) that represents the order in which activities are performed within a business process. It visually illustrates the progression from one task or event to another, guiding the reader through the flow of the process. This concept helps clarify how various elements interact and ensures that processes are understood clearly and can be analyzed effectively.
Sub-conversations: Sub-conversations are specialized dialogues that occur within a larger conversation or process, often used in the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) to provide detailed information about specific aspects of a process. These sub-conversations help clarify interactions and decisions among participants, ensuring a deeper understanding of the workflow. By breaking down conversations into manageable parts, they enhance communication, facilitate analysis, and support decision-making within complex business processes.
Sub-process: A sub-process is a smaller, distinct section of a larger business process that encapsulates a specific task or series of tasks. Sub-processes help in breaking down complex processes into manageable parts, making it easier to analyze, improve, and automate each segment. They can be defined within the context of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) as they allow for a more organized representation of workflows.
Task: A task is a specific activity or unit of work within a process that is performed to achieve a particular outcome or goal. It serves as the building block of workflows, detailing the individual steps that contribute to the overall functionality of a process. Understanding tasks is crucial for optimizing business processes, as it allows for clear identification of responsibilities, resource allocation, and performance measurement.
Text Annotation: Text annotation is the process of adding notes, comments, or explanations to a text in order to enhance understanding or provide additional context. This practice is essential for clarifying complex information and can be used to indicate specific details about business processes, helping to ensure that everyone involved comprehends the various elements and flows within a model. In the context of creating visual representations of processes, text annotations play a critical role in conveying important insights without overcrowding the main diagram.
Transaction: A transaction is a discrete event that represents the transfer of data or information between two or more entities, typically involving an exchange of goods, services, or financial assets. In business process automation, transactions serve as the fundamental building blocks for capturing and managing the flow of operations, ensuring that activities are executed correctly and efficiently. They can include various types of activities such as sales, purchases, or any other interaction that alters the state of a business process.