BPMN 2.0 Essentials 02 : Events - What They Are and Why They Matter
Events in BPMN: What They Are and Why They Matter
When it comes to mapping out business processes with BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation), events play a pivotal role.
They are the starting, stopping, and signaling points of your workflows, making them the glue that holds your processes together.
Let’s dive into what BPMN events are, how they work, and why they’re essential for efficient process modeling.
What Are Events in BPMN?
In BPMN, events are elements that represent something that “happens” during a process. These can be triggered internally, like when a task is completed, or externally, like when an email is received. Events are circular in shape and come in three main types:
- Start Events: These signify the beginning of a process. They act as the entry point and often define what triggers the workflow, such as a customer request or a scheduled time.
- Intermediate Events: These occur during a process and represent something that happens along the way, like waiting for a message or catching a delay.
- End Events: These mark the conclusion of a process, indicating that the workflow is complete.
Each of these event types can have different triggers or results, such as messages, timers, errors, or signals, making them versatile tools in process modeling.
Why Are Events Important in BPMN?
Events are the backbone of dynamic and realistic process modeling. They bring clarity and structure by defining when and how things happen. Imagine you’re designing a process for handling customer support tickets. Without events, it would be hard to model when the ticket is submitted, when it’s escalated, or when the resolution is confirmed.
Moreover, events allow for automation. BPMN diagrams can be executed by BPM engines, and events play a crucial role in ensuring that processes respond to triggers in real-time, such as a timer firing or a system sending a message.
Common Types of Events in BPMN
To make the most of BPMN, it’s helpful to understand the specific types of events and their purposes. Here are some key examples:
- Message Events: Handle communication between systems or participants, like sending or receiving an email.
- Timer Events: Represent time-based triggers, such as starting a process at a scheduled time or adding delays.
- Error Events: Deal with exceptions or disruptions in the workflow, ensuring the process adapts to unexpected scenarios.
- Signal Events: Broadcast information to multiple processes, enabling synchronization.
How to Use Events Effectively
When working with events in BPMN, clarity is key. Use start events to clearly define triggers, intermediate events to manage complex workflows, and end events to show process outcomes. Label your events clearly, and choose the right type of event for each scenario. This ensures your diagram is both easy to understand and ready for execution.
Final Thoughts
Events in BPMN are more than just symbols; they’re the drivers of action and interaction within your processes. By understanding and using them effectively, you can create workflows that are both efficient and adaptable. Whether you’re mapping out a customer journey or automating a complex business process, events help ensure your diagrams reflect the real-world dynamics of your operations.
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Your Expert
With over 20 years of experience as a business analyst in international consulting, I specialize in business processes and their optimization. Alongside my main job, I run my own company, advising startups on their path to success.
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