BPMN subprocess examples, definitions and flowcharts
Subprocesses are some of the most important BPMN 2.0 notation concepts and the reason for that is simple: when we deconstruct a process into smaller process diagrams, we increase the level of understanding of the main flowchart and reduce the complexity of the entire flow so it becomes much easier to understand the logic of the process!
There aren't many complex business processes that don't involve subprocesses.
We can define a subprocess flowchart as the representation of an activity that contains a series of small parts, that is: this activity can be represented by a process flowchart, in this case, a subprocess flow. To make this clearer, let's recall that a process is a sequence of activities that has a beginning and a definite end. So while a subprocess is an activity that can be subdivided into smaller parts, a task is an activity that has no subdivisions, it's just a single task, e.g. "Create Invoice".
Below are some BPMN subprocess examples that will make this explanation clearer. Alternatively, you can also check out our Business Process Modeling Tutorial for BPMN 2.0
BPMN Subprocess Examples using Flowcharts
Let's assume that you found a designed a material request process flow and at some point, there's an "Order picking and shipping" step, like the one here:
We can see that the "Order picking and shipping" is composed of several activities according to the expanded subprocess flow here:
BPMN subprocess examples
There are two possible representation for a subprocess in the process flow, the first as a compounded activity, e.g.: the "Sell" subprocess that represents 3 tasks. The second is a "Call Activity", which makes a call to a first-level process, a reusable process flow:
Note that in the case of "Sell", the task box is enlarged and in the case of "Billing", the process is visualized in another independent process flow.
Important: In older versions of BPMN there was the concept of "a reusable subprocess", but with BPMN 2.0 this concept has been discontinued! If the BPMN tool you are using is not yet compatible with the new subprocess concept, take a look at HEFLO and create a free business process modeling account!
Other BPMN subprocess examples: Events and Ad hoc
There are some typical BPMN subprocess examples, let's look at them below:
BPMN Subprocess Example: Event
An event subprocess is contained at a specific process level (a common subprocess), or in a top-level process (main process flow), and is actioned by triggers.
It can used as a way to interrupt the main flow or start a non-interrupt scenario.
If the trigger of this subprocess occurs while the process containing it is running, then the event subprocess begins.
Notice that, unlike a common subprocess, the event subprocess does not have an initial input or output flow.
Check out the detail shown in the figure below with its dashed borders.
BPMN Subprocess Example: Ad hoc
Ad hoc subprocesses have the characteristic of not being connected to other elements of the process, and their internal elements are also not connected to each other. It means that these tasks can happen independently of each other and at any time. Here's an example of an Ad hoc process flowchart:
BPMN Subprocess Example: Loop
A loop subprocess should be used when you need to repeat one or more activities. In this case, the subprocess will be flagged with an arrow, indicating that the subprocess is repeated until a particular condition is confirmed. If this occurs, the flow stops, or the subprocess restarts, similar to the behavior of a programmed loop.
As you can see, the use of a process modeling tool will be very useful for including the correct BPMN 2.0 notations when putting together a subprocess flowchart.
Also, if you still have questions, go to the HEFLO website and try out our free process modeling software and enjoy the many examples of business processes available in our library.
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