BPMN event types

Use standard BPMN event types to denote that something happens at the beginning (Start node) and end (End node) of a process. See Set the event types.

Start and End event types are just visual aids; they do not trigger events or perform any functions.

Event types for a start node

Event types for the start node indicate the circumstances that trigger the start of the process.

The following table describes the event types available for a Start node and the corresponding BPMN Standard notations.

Event Type	BPMN Standard Notation	Description
Default		Indicates the default notation.
None		Indicates that no trigger is defined.
Message		Indicates that the receipt of a message, such as a request from a customer, initiates the process.
Timer		Indicates that the process starts at a specific date and time or a recurring time, such as every Monday at 9 AM.
Conditional		Indicates that a business condition, such as a balance dropping below a certain value triggers the process.
Signal		Indicates that an external signal, such as the addition of a new customer, triggers the process.
Multiple		Indicates that any event can start the process.
Parallel Multiple		Indicates that the process has multiple events, and all the events must occur for the process to start.

Event Types for an end node

Event types for an end node signify the result of the process.

The following table describes the event types available for an End node and the corresponding BPMN Standard notations.

Event Type	BPMN Standard Notation	Description
Default		Indicates the default notation.
None		Indicates that no trigger is defined.
Message		Indicates that the end of the process results in sending the message.
Error		Indicates that the end of the process results in an error.
Escalation		Indicates that an error has occurred but any other parallel paths in the process are still active.
Cancel		Indicates the end of a process path which results in a transaction rollback.
Compensation		Indicates that the end of the process triggers a compensation or undoing of work, such as cancelling a hotel booking.
Signal		Indicates that it generates a signal when the process ends.
Terminate		Indicates to end the process including all parallel paths.
Multiple		Indicates that the process has multiple events, and all the events must occur for the process to end.