BPMN Compensation Event

BPMN Compensation Event

The BPMN Compensation Event article provides a detailed explanation of the compensation event BPMN element, including the definition, notation, rules, guidelines and examples.

The BPMN Compensation Event article delves deep into the intricacies and applications of the compensation event element as outlined in the BPMN 2.0 specification. The definition, notation, and rules sections offer a concise summary of the BPMN 2.0 Specification pertaining to the compensation event element. Meanwhile, the guidelines section presents a curated collection of best practices specific to the compensation event, showcasing its proper and effective utilisation in process modelling.

BPMN Definition

Compensation Events are used in the context of triggering or handling compensation. There are four variations: a Start Event, both a catch and throw Intermediate Event, and an End Event. ~ BPMN Specification

BPMN Notation

The BPMN specification defines the different types of Compensation Event elements using the following description and notation:

ElementDescriptionNotation
Compensation Event Sub-Process Event (Interrupting)A Compensation Event can also initiate an inline Event Sub-Process. A Compensation Event Sub-Process that interrupts its containing Process is known as a Compensation Event Sub-Process Event (Interrupting).
Compensation Boundary Event (Interrupting)A Compensation Boundary Event is an event that is attached to the boundary of an activity. A Compensation Boundary Event (Interrupting) is attached to an activity and will interrupt the activity.
Compensation Intermediate Throw EventA Compensation Intermediate Throw Event can be used to throw a compensation.
Compensation End EventA Compensation End Event can be used to throw a compensation once the token reach the end event and then terminate the process.

BPMN Event Types: Compensation Events

BPMN Event Types

BPMN events represent various types of occurrences that affect the flow of a process, and they can be categorized based on their position and behavior in the process.

  • Start Event: The Start Event indicates where a particular Process will start.
  • Intermediate Event: The Intermediate Event indicates where something happens (an Event) somewhere between the start and end of a Process.
  • End Event: The End Event indicates where a Process will end.
  • Catching Events: Events that catch a trigger. All Start Events and some Intermediate Events are catching Events.
  • Throwing Events: Events that throw a Result. All End Events and some Intermediate Events are throwing Events that MAY eventually be caught by another Event.
  • Boundary Event: An Intermediate Event that is attached to the boundary of an Activity.

The following table illustrates how the different types of Compensation Events are grouped as per the BPMN Event types:

Catching EventsThrowing Events
Start EventIntermediate EventEnd Event
StandardEvent Sub-Process
Interrupting
Event Sub-Process
Non-Interrupting
CatchingBoundary
Interrupting
Boundary Non-
Interrupting
ThrowingStandard
Compensation Event

BPMN Notation: Compensation Event

Finally

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Reference