BPMN in draw.io: Events, Tasks and Gateways
Draw a real BPMN process model for free in draw.io. Learn how to turn on the BPMN 2.0 shapes, then use a start event, tasks, an exclusive gateway with labelled flows and end events, using an online shop order process.
Step by step
BPMN for free
- BPMN in draw.io. BPMN is the standard way to model a business process. You can draw it for free in draw.io. Here's the order process we'll model for our online shop.
- Blank diagram. Start with a blank diagram in draw.io.
- BPMN shapes. The BPMN shapes are not on by default. Click more shapes, tick BPMN two point oh, and click apply. New BPMN groups appear on the left.
Events and tasks
- Start event. Every process starts with a start event, a thin circle. Drag one in and name it order received.
- Task. Work is a task, a rounded box. Use a verb and a noun. Check stock.
- Sequence flow. Connect them with the blue arrow. In BPMN, a solid line with an arrow is a sequence flow. It shows the order of the work.
Gateways
- Gateway. A decision is an exclusive gateway, a diamond with an X. Only one path out is taken. Ask in stock? Connect check stock to the gateway.
- Label the flows. If it's in stock, we ship. Add another task on the right. Ship order. Connect the gateway to it and label the flow yes. Every flow out of an exclusive gateway gets a label.
End events
- End event. The process ends with an end event, a thick circle. Order shipped. Connect ship order to the end event.
- Second end. If it's not in stock, the order is put on hold. That's a different ending, so it gets its own end event. Put it under the gateway. Connect the gateway down to it and label this flow no.
- The finished model. Click away to see the finished model. One start, a gateway with labelled flows, and every path ends in an end event.
Recap
- The rules. So, turn on the BPMN shapes, start with a start event, name tasks with a verb and a noun, label every flow out of a gateway, and end every path. Subscribe for more draw.io tips for business analysts.
