BPMN Link Event

in BPMN on Bpmn, Bpmn 2.0, Link event
BPMN Link Event

The BPMN Link Event article provides a detailed explanation of the link event element, including the BPMN notation, an example diagram and guidelines.

The BPMN Link Event article focus on the definition and usage of the link event element as documented in the BPMN 2.0 specification. The example process diagram illustrates the correct use of the link event annotation. The BPMN Guidelines section contains a detailed set of rules that apply to the link event and explains how the element may or may not be used within the different BPMN diagrams.

“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 Link Event element using the following description and notation:

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

BPMN Notation: Link Event

BPMN Event Types

The following table contains a list of the different Link Event types, their descriptions and the BPMN notations:

ElementDescriptionNotation
Link Intermediate Catch EventThe 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 EventThe 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: Link Events

BPMN Diagram

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

BPMN Link Event Example of BPMN link 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) 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

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Reference