BPMN Error Event

BPMN Error Event

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

The BPMN Error Event article delves deep into the intricacies and applications of the error 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 error event element. Meanwhile, the guidelines section presents a curated collection of best practices specific to the error event, showcasing its proper and effective utilisation in process modelling.

BPMN Definition

An Error represents the content of an Error Event or the Fault of a failed Operation. ~ BPMN Specification

BPMN Notation

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

ElementDescriptionNotation
Error Event Sub-Process Event (Interrupting)Whenever the Event occurs, the associated process is terminated. A downstream token is then generated, which activates the next element of the event-sub-process connected to the Event.
Error Boundary Event (Interrupting)Whenever the Event occurs, the associated Activity is terminated. A downstream token is then generated, which activates the next element of the process connected to the Event.
Error End EventWhenever this event is reached, the event will raise an error and the process will end.

BPMN Event Types: Error 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 Error 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
Error Event

BPMN Notation: Error Event

BPMN Diagram

The following is an example of a BPMN Error Event within a diagram:

BPMN Error Event Example of BPMN Error Event

BPMN Standards & Guidelines

The difference between standard and guideline is that a standard is a level of quality or attainment while a guideline is a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour. A standard are high in authority and needs to be adhered to versus a guideline is low in authority and guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.

BPMN Standards

The BPMN Standards section contains a list of rules that are applicable to the BPMN Error Event as per the official rules of the BPMN Specification.

  • A catch Intermediate Error Event can only be attached to the boundary of an Activity and MAY NOT be used in normal flow.

BPMN Guidelines

The BPMN guidelines section contains a list of optional rules that can be used as a guide.

  • An Error Catch Events should have a Text Annotation with the Error Code: {Error Code} associated with it.
  • An Error Throw Event should have a Text Annotation with the Error Code: {Error Code} associated with it.

Finally

This article provided a detailed explanation of the BPMN Error Event element. Follow me on any of the different social media platforms, and feel free to leave comments.

Reference