Event nodes

The event family represents things that occur within a process rather than work that is performed: triggers, signals, timers, messages, and other occurrences. Prefer ACTIVITY for regular work steps and reach for an event only when the emphasis is on the occurrence itself.

Alternative terms you might use: trigger, signal, occurrence.

In BPMN events are drawn as circles. The border style communicates when the event fires within the lifecycle of a process (start, intermediate, or end) and the symbol inside the circle communicates what kind of event it is. Instant Process events are intermediate events by default: they occur between the process boundaries. For the two process boundaries themselves, see Start and End.

Event

The standard event node defines events that occur within a process. A circle with no specific marker, use it when you know an occurrence happens but the trigger type is unspecified or unimportant.

Input

EVENT 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT 'Event' NEXT

EVENT EventNode 'Event' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Message

The message event node defines communication events that occur within a process, a message sent or received. Its BPMN marker is an envelope, denoting the exchange of a message between participants.

Input

EVENT-MESSAGE 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-MESSAGE 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-MESSAGE EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Timer

The timer event node defines timed events that occur within a process, often depicting a delay between two other nodes. Its BPMN marker is a clock, denoting a time-based trigger: a fixed date, a duration, or a recurring cycle.

Input

EVENT-TIMER 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-TIMER 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-TIMER EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Conditional

The conditional event node defines an event that occurs when being triggered by changing conditions. Its BPMN marker is a lined page, denoting that a business rule or condition is being evaluated.

Input

EVENT-CONDITIONAL 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-CONDITIONAL 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-CONDITIONAL EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Escalation

The escalation event node defines an event that occurs within a process that triggers an escalation, often starting a subprocess or handing control to a higher-level participant. Its BPMN marker is an upward-pointing triangle, denoting the escalation of a situation.

Input

EVENT-ESCALATION 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-ESCALATION 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-ESCALATION EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Link

The link event node defines a connector within a process that links two sections of the same diagram, allowing the flow to continue without drawing a direct sequence line. Its BPMN marker is an arrow, denoting an off-page or in-page connector. Links are diagram hygiene: they keep large diagrams readable.

Input

EVENT-LINK 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-LINK 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-LINK EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Error

The error event node defines an event within a process triggered by the occurrence of an error, often interrupting the current activity and redirecting the flow. Its BPMN marker is a filled lightning bolt, denoting a critical fault that disrupts normal flow.

Input

EVENT-ERROR 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-ERROR 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-ERROR EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Cancel

The cancel event node defines an event within a process that is triggered by a cancellation, typically within a transaction subprocess that has been rolled back. Its BPMN marker is an X, denoting cancellation of a transactional scope.

Input

EVENT-CANCEL 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-CANCEL 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-CANCEL EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Compensation

The compensation event node defines an event within a process that is triggered by a compensation action, undoing or reversing the effects of a previously completed activity. Its BPMN marker is a pair of left-pointing triangles (rewind symbol), denoting that work is being undone.

Input

EVENT-COMPENSATION 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-COMPENSATION 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-COMPENSATION EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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Event Signal

The signal event node defines an event within a process that is triggered by a signal, allowing multiple processes or activities to start or react when the signal is sent or received. Its BPMN marker is a filled triangle, denoting a broadcast signal as opposed to a direct message with a single recipient.

Input

EVENT-SIGNAL 'text input'

Input suggestion

EVENT-SIGNAL 'Task' NEXT

EVENT-SIGNAL EventNode 'Task' NEXT OtherNode

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