The learner can recognize and correctly name the basic BPMN elements: events (circles), tasks (rounded rectangles), gateways (diamonds), sequence flows (arrows), and swimlanes (who performs).
The core shapes of BPMN 2.0
The core shapes of BPMN 2.0
BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) is a standardized visual language for drawing business processes. Every BPMN diagram is built from a small set of shapes, each with a fixed meaning — so anyone trained in BPMN can read a diagram drawn by someone else anywhere in the world.
The five most fundamental elements are: Events, Tasks, Gateways, Sequence Flows, and Swimlanes. An Event marks something that happens — it is drawn as a circle. A Start Event (a thin-bordered circle) launches the process; an End Event (a thick-bordered circle) marks where the process finishes. A Task or Activity represents a unit of work someone or some system performs — it is drawn as a rounded rectangle with a label inside.
A Gateway controls how the flow splits or merges — it is drawn as a diamond. The most common type is the Exclusive Gateway (XOR), which means exactly one of the outgoing paths is taken depending on a condition. A Sequence Flow is the solid arrow that connects elements and shows the order of execution.
Finally, Swimlanes organize who performs the work. A Pool represents an entire participant (for example, a company or a system). Inside a Pool, Lanes divide the work between roles or departments — every element placed in a lane belongs to that role.
Lesson notes
The core shapes of BPMN 2.0
BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) is a standardized visual language for drawing business processes. Every BPMN diagram is built from a small set of shapes, each with a fixed meaning — so anyone trained in BPMN can read a diagram drawn by someone else anywhere in the world.
The five most fundamental elements are: Events, Tasks, Gateways, Sequence Flows, and Swimlanes. An Event marks something that happens — it is drawn as a circle. A Start Event (a thin-bordered circle) launches the process; an End Event (a thick-bordered circle) marks where the process finishes. A Task or Activity represents a unit of work someone or some system performs — it is drawn as a rounded rectangle with a label inside.
A Gateway controls how the flow splits or merges — it is drawn as a diamond. The most common type is the Exclusive Gateway (XOR), which means exactly one of the outgoing paths is taken depending on a condition. A Sequence Flow is the solid arrow that connects elements and shows the order of execution.
Finally, Swimlanes organize who performs the work. A Pool represents an entire participant (for example, a company or a system). Inside a Pool, Lanes divide the work between roles or departments — every element placed in a lane belongs to that role.