Using Images in Business Process Models

Remember to get your Business Process Design Templates here (MS Word with free Excel and Visio templates)

Adding Images to Business Process Design Models

We’ve been talking about business process modeling for the last few weeks and I've had some emails asking for more information on the graphical elements used in process maps. So, let’s take a look. 

[Business Process Design Templates - MS Word & Visio]

A Business Process Model consists of several graphical elements which are used by most all Business Analysts and Process designers:

Flow Objects in Business Process Models

Flow Objects

Flow objects are used to define the behavior of a Business Process. These include:

• Events
• Activities
• Gateways
• Connecting Objects

You can connect Flow Objects to each other with:

• Sequence Flows
• Message Flows
• Associations
• Swim-lanes

[Business Process Design Templates - MS Word & Visio]

Artifacts in Business Process Models

You can group the primary modelling elements through swim-lanes, which are:

• Pools
• Lanes

Artifacts

You can use artifacts to provide additional information about how the process works.

There are four standardized artifacts, including:

• Data Object
• Group
• Annotation

The core modeling elements depicted by these notations are:

• Description
• Element
• Event
• Notation

Think of an event is something that “happens” during a process. Events affect how the process ‘flows’ and usually has a cause (something that trigger it) or an impact (an end result).

Events are displayed as circles. They have open centers so you can add markers to differentiate different triggers or results.

Furthermore, there are three types of Events: Start, Intermediate, and End. 

Activities in Business Process Design Models

Activity

An activity is a generic term for any type of work that the business performs. For example, in a bank, you might have activities, such as print a statement, post a check book, or check customer statements.

An activity can be:

• Atomic (as small as it can be) or
• Non-atomic (compound)

Activities found in a Process Model are Process, Sub-Process, and Task.

Tasks and Sub-Processes are shown as rounded rectangles.

Sub-Process Business Models

Gateway

Gateways control the divergence and convergence of Sequence Flow. This means it will determine branching, forking, merging, and the joining of paths.

Sequence Flow

A Sequence Flow shows the order in which activities are performed in a Process. 

Message Flow

A Message Flow shows the flow of messages between two parties.

Association

An Association associates information with Flow Objects. Text and graphical non-Flow Objects can be associated with the Flow Objects.

Pool

A Pool acts as a ‘swimlane’ and is used to partition a set of activities from other pools.

Lanes in Business Process Models

Lane

A Lane is a sub-partition within a Swim-lane / Pool and extends the entire length of the Pool, either vertically or horizontally depending on how you design your process flows.

Data Object

Data Objects are considered Artifacts because they do not have any direct effect on the Sequence Flow or Message Flow of the Process, but they do provide information about what activities require to be performed and/or what they produce. 

Group 

A group is used to box a group of objects, usually for documentation purposes. Grouping activities does not affect the Sequence Flow as it is generally used for documentation or analysis purposes.

Text Annotation

You can add text to the diagram to provide additional information for the reader.

[Business Process Design Templates - MS Word & Visio]

A Business Process is a set of activities designed to produce a specific output. It is used to capture the specific ordering of work activities, including inputs, outputs, triggers and actions.

[Learn more about these templates here]

These Business Process templates will help you to:

• Introduce the process and outline its purpose, goal, and outcomes

• Identify the fundamental assumptions behind this process. For example, what assumptions does the process audience have in relation to this process and how does the process support those assumptions

• Identify where and how the process interfaces with other processes or whether it is a component or sub-components of other processes

• Use Visio flowcharts to illustrate process activities, including inputs and outputs, decision points and user activity

• Identify data to be collected, such as reports, forms, and policies

• Identify reporting requirements associated with the performance of the process and the format it must be delivered in

• Identify the audience, role, and individuals who will use the process definition, and the responsibilities of these roles

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Supports Microsoft Word 97-2003, Word 2007 and Apple Macintosh. 

Q: What file formats are the templates?

A: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio. 

Q: How soon can I download them?

A: You can download the files instantly. After you pay online, you are automatically sent to a page where you can download the template online.

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Need to know more?

Drop me a line at ivan at klariti dot com and I'll get back to you asap.