BPMN provides various kinds of flows and links to connect objects in collaboration, conversation, and choreography diagrams.
The following types of flows and links are available:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
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Sequence Flow - Connects events, activities, and gateways in processes in collaboration, process, and choreography diagrams. |
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Message Flow - Connects participants in collaboration diagrams. Connects message symbols to participant bands on choreography tasks in choreography diagrams. |
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Data Association - Connects data objects to activities or events in collaboration and process diagrams (see Resource Flows (BPM)). |
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Conversation Link - Connects participants in conversation diagrams. |
Sequence and Message Flow Properties
Sequence and Message Flows are based on and have the same properties as standard flows (see Flow Properties). Message flows have the following additional properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Correlation key | Specifies the correlation key (set of correlation properties drawn from the message) used to associate the message to a particular instance of a process (see Correlation Keys (BPM)). Each flow must have the same key as the conversation node to which it is connected. |
| Correlation property | Specifies the correlation property that acts as the unique identifier for this instance of the message (see Variables (BPM)). |
Note: To set a sequence flow to the default flow, right-click the flow and select Set to Default Flow. The source of a default flow must be of an origin of an inclusive, exclusive, or complex gateway or an activity.
Conversation Link Properties
Conversation links have the following properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Specifies the name of the item, which should be clear and meaningful, and should convey the item's purpose to non-technical users. |
| Code | Specifies the technical name of the item, which is used for generating code or scripts. |
| Comment | Specifies a descriptive comment for the object. |
| Stereotype |
Extends the semantics of the object. You can enter a stereotype directly in this field, or add stereotypes to the list by specifying them in an extension file. |
| Participant | Specifies the participant to which the link is joined. |
| Conversation node | Specifies the conversation node to which the link is joined. Use the tools to the right of the list to create, browse for, or view the properties of the currently selected conversation node. |