BPMN allows process designers to include additional information, which is not related directly to the process activities. For this, BPMN offers Artifact objects and Association connectors. They are not functional elements and merely serve to facilitate readability and analysis of the modeled business processes.
Associations
Associations are represented by a dotted line (Fig. 1) that ends with an arrow. Associations are used to connect an artifact and an element of the graphic model.
Fig. 1. Association graphic element.
Associationsare created just like connectors, although an association must always go out of a graphic model element and lead to an Artifact.
Artifacts
Artifacts allow process designers to add information to the process diagram, making it informative and easy to read. Artifacts do not affect how the process works. ELMA BPM features five predefined artifact types:
A Group is represented by a rounded rectangle with a dot-dash border (Fig. 2). A Group allows you to group different activities but does not affect the process flow.
Fig. 2. Group element.
A Group allows you to group graphic elements into categories but does not affect the sequence flow. The name of the category that the grouped elements belong to is also the Group's name. Using Groups comes in handy when you need to prepare documentation or make an analysis.
Fig. 3. Using Group element in a process.
Annotation
An Annotation is depicted as an open rectangle with a line border (Fig. 4). Annotations are used to add extra detail to flow objects and make a process diagram more informative. You can connect an Annotation to a flow object with an Association, and it will not affect the process flow. The annotation's text is placed within the graphic model.
Fig. 4. Using Annotation in a process.
Data Object
A Data Object is represented as a document page with a folded corner (Fig. 5). A Data Object contains data that is produced or processed in the course of a process. This object only shows data which is related to the current process instance.
Fig. 5. Using Data Object in a process.
In ELMA BPM Platform, you can use a Data Object to add information about the context variables that are processed in an activity.
Database
A Database object is represented in the following way:
Fig. 6. Graphic representation of Database object.
A Database object is used in the graphic model to create a permanent data storage. With Database objects you can also manage data exchange between processes. It cannot be done with Data Objects, since they are used within one process only.
Fig. 7. Using Database object in a process.
Document
A Document is represented as a filled document with a folded corner (Fig. 8). The Document object contains information which is produced or processed in the course of a process.
Fig. 8. Using Document object in a process.
There are several significant differences between a Document and a Data Object or Database:
A Document has properties that identify it;
A Document passes information;
The information that a Document contains cannot be modified.
