BPMN Link Event
The BPMN Link Event article provides a detailed explanation of the link event BPMN element, including the definition, notation, rules, guidelines and examples.
The BPMN Link Event article delves deep into the intricacies and applications of the link 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 link event element. Meanwhile, the guidelines section presents a curated collection of best practices specific to the link event, showcasing its proper and effective utilisation in process modelling.
BPMN Definition
The Link Intermediate Events are only valid in normal flow. A Link is a mechanism for connecting two sections of a Process. Link Events can be used to create looping situations or to avoid long Sequence Flow lines. They can also be used as generic “Go To” objects within the Process level. ~ BPMN Specification
BPMN Notation
The BPMN specification defines the different types of Link Event elements using the following description and notation:
Element | Description | Notation |
---|---|---|
Link Intermediate Catch Event | The token traversing a Sequence Flow would arrive at the Link Intermediate Catch Event (Target) after it “jumped” from the Link Intermediate Throw Event (Source) if the Link Name is the same. | |
Link Intermediate Throw Event | The token traversing a Sequence Flow would reach the Link Intermediate Throw Event (Source) and then “jump” to the Link Intermediate Catch Event (Target) if the Link Name is the same. |
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 Link Events are grouped as per the BPMN Event types:
Catching Events | Throwing Events | |||||||
Start Event | Intermediate Event | End Event | ||||||
Standard | Event Sub-Process Interrupting | Event Sub-Process Non-Interrupting | Catching | Boundary Interrupting | Boundary Non- Interrupting | Throwing | Standard | |
Link Event |
BPMN Diagram
The following is an example of a BPMN Link Event within a diagram:
The token traversing a Sequence Flow would reach the Link Intermediate Throw Event (Source) and then “jump” to the Link Intermediate Catch Event (Target) and continue down the Sequence Flow. The Process would continue as if the Sequence Flow had directly connected the two objects.
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 Link Event as per the official rules of the BPMN Specification.
- The Link Intermediate Events are only valid in normal flow and MAY NOT be used on the boundary of an Activity.
- The Link Event are limited to a single Process level and CAN NOT link a parent Process with a Sub-Process.
- The Link Event CAN be multiple source Link Events, but there CAN only be one target Link Event.
BPMN Guidelines
The BPMN guidelines section contains a list of optional rules that can be used as a guide.
- A Link Intermediate Throw Event should have a Text Annotation with the
Source: {Link Name}
associated with it. - A Link Intermediate Catch Event should have a Text Annotation with the
Target: {Link Name}
associated with it.
Finally
This article provided a detailed explanation of the BPMN Link Event element. Follow me on any of the different social media platforms, and feel free to leave comments.
Reference
- Business Process Model and Notation Specification Version 2.0.2. (2014, January). https://www.omg.org/spec/BPMN/2.0.2/