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Object: Gateways

If a process does not run linearly in one direction, but e.g. several tasks are carried out in parallel, or different directions in the process flow become necessary depending on an event, the sequen…

Dennis Reichle
Updated by Dennis Reichle

If a process does not run linearly in one direction, but e.g. several tasks are carried out in parallel, or different directions in the process flow become necessary depending on an event, the sequence flow has to be split. This is when gateways are used.

Standard gateway types

Depending on the gateway type, different numbers of paths are followed in the process model.

The following standard gateways are available in process modeling:

Exclusive gateway

There are unlimited possible options for a decision, of which only exactly one can be selected at a time. Thus, only one of the outgoing paths is followed and only the tasks modeled behind it are executed.

Example: A decision is made as to whether an applicant is to be hired or not.

Parallel gateway

All possible options are executed. So every possible outgoing path is followed and all tasks modeled behind it are executed in parallel.

If the sequence flow is split, a merging gateway is modeled at the end of the tasks executed simultaneously. This indicates that the process flow is not continued until all tasks that were previously triggered in parallel have been completed, that is, all outbound paths have been merged again.

Example: If the applicant has been hired, different departments must perform preparatory tasks for the employee entry.

Inclusive gateway

There are unlimited possible options for a decision, of which one or more can be selected depending on the individual case.

Since several parallel activities are also possible here, this gateway is also merged again.

Example: The applicant is hired. If he/she is employed in the IT area, an additional briefing on the hardware environment is necessary. If he/she is employed in the security area, security training is also necessary. If he/she is not employed in either area, only the personnel information sheet must be filled out.

Further gateway types

If one of the three standard gateways has been modelled, the 'Gateway type' can be changed subsequently by right-clicking on the gateway symbol. Additional gateway types are also available in this view:

Exclusive event based gateway

Instead of data and decisions in the process flow, there are unlimited possible events that can occur during the process flow. When the first event occurs, the process flow follows only this one path.

Example: If the applicant is invited to an interview, he/she has 14 days to confirm the appointment. If he/she does not do so, the application is rejected and the process ends.

Exclusive event based gateway (instantiating)

Behaves according to the same rules as the exclusive event-based gateway, except that it is not used in the middle of a process flow, but at the beginning of a process. The process is therefore started when one of the unlimited number of possible events has occurred.

Example: The process 'applicant selection' is started when an application is received either via mail, e-mail or the contact form on the website.

Parallel event based gateway (instantiating)

A new process is started when all events following the gateway have occurred.

Example: A new application is received. At the same time, the time window for receiving and processing applications is currently open. When both events have occurred, the application is processed.

Complex gateway

The gateway covers the possible decisions / rules that are not covered by the standardized gateways. Using a comment on the gateway, any condition can be modeled with any number of possible results and outgoing paths.

Further properties of gateways

Gateways cannot be formatted in color and shape.

If the properties of the gateway symbol are called up by double-clicking or right-clicking on it, the gateway can be labeled, for example, to place the condition to be checked directly on the gateway symbol.

If the 'Move object labels' function is activated in the Process Designer options, the label of the gateway can be moved to any position.

In the case of an exclusive and inclusive gateway, a default sequence flow can be set for the case of decisions that cannot be made unambiguously. The process flow follows this path in these cases of doubt.

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