How to Develop a Business Process Model

The purpose of a business process modeling diagram — is to represent a certain sequence of procedures so that it will be clear to all participants and stakeholders. Thus, all process participants can observe the interrelations and proceedings that happen within a business process. Thus, it is very important to use a certified notation system — Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) to describe the steps of business processes.

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM makes drawing BPMN diagram simple, due to its free Business Process Model and Notation solution. There are 8 stencil libraries containing 143 vector BPMN 2.0 objects. This article uses the example Application Handling and Invoicing diagram to explain what you need to get started designing a business process model using the ConceptDraw Business Process Model and Notation solution.

The Business Process Model solution has ConceptDraw’s RapidDraw interface that allows you to draw business process diagrams quickly and effortlessly. The only you need is to place the first object of your diagram and select a directional arrow from the object. Rapid Draw will automatically add and connect the next object in your diagram.

1. Open a ConceptDraw DIAGRAM new document.
2. Find the Business Process Model item in the Solutions panel.
3. Select the appropriate BPMN library.
4. First add Events symbols: viewed as circles, they represent some event that happens. Click on a symbol and then click on the document, at the place you want it to be placed.

5. Add the next Activities objects by clicking on its icon from the RapidDraw arrows that pop up when you bring the mouse cursor over the object.

6. When the activity has different ways to go through process flow, you have to add a diamond looking Gateway symbol. Connection of the activity to the gateway symbol indicates the possibility of two different activities within the process flow.

7. Connecting symbols between objects are added automatically due to the rapid Draw interface. They intended to depict how elements of the business process are connected to each other.
• • Sequence Flow — a solid arrowhead line that shows the order in which activities are performed.


• • Conditional Sequence Flow has a diamond-shaped marker at its beginning. It used when either of the following activities is completed.


• • Default Sequence Flow is used to show the way process passes when all other other conditions of the step can not be met.


1. You can modify Connecting symbols in a proper way using their Action button menu. To open the menu select an object and click the action button in the upper right corner of the object.

2. Swimlanes symbols can be used if you need to organize a business process diagram as a cross functional flow chart.


Result: The RapidDraw interface removes the laborious and time intensive aspects of business process modeling and gives all BPMN users the ability to focus on their objectives.