Connectors are used to branch or reconnect the process flow. Two connectors are available in EPCs for modeling: AND and XOR.
Further information and case examples regarding the use of each connector can be found at AND Branching and XOR Branching. |
The AND Connector
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| Function | During modeling, the AND Connector is used to document that multiple process branches are run through simultaneously. This means: All branches between the AND brackets have to be completed before the process can continue in the main branch. |
| Connection | Predecessor: Function Successor: Function, Event |
| Example | A business process intends that completion of a reuqest form triggers three different process branches: The form is evaluated statistically, the buyer receives an answer and the order is processed. The first AND Connector opens the parallel execution: The three process chains Evaluating form, Answering request and Processing order are started simultaneously and run independently from each other. The closing AND defines the end of the parallel execution. The process continues with the next step of the main process branch.
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Configuration Options
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The XOR Connector
| Element |
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| Meaning | The connector XOR (= Either-Or) indicates that one of several conditions must be fulfilled. This means that after the XOR, exactly one of several possible process strings is processed. |
Connection | Predecessor: Function Successor: Event |
Example | A business process intends that a Procurement Request can be placed. After the action Recording request two possible events can occur: Either the Credit limit adhered or the Credit limit exceeded. Depending on which event occured, a different process string is started. The constraints, that need to be met for either process sring are defined in the element Event.
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Configuration Options
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Branching and Constraints
The AND Connector is tied to a single constraint: All process branches within the AND bracket have to be executed. The main process can only continue once all process branches between the opening and closing AND Connector are processed. Therefore no further constraints need to be defined when using the AND Connector.
The XOR Connector enables issuing multiple constraints. Therefore the XOR Connector is always followed by an Event in which the corresponding constraints for the varying process strings need to be defined.