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Add a Decision

Adding decisions in processes and value streams allows additional information to be gathered and alternatives assessed.

Written by Hylet Pistorius

When creating a process or value stream, decisions can be added to help distinguish between the different paths. An endpoint can be added to a decision if needed. Each decision has a YES path and a NO path. These paths are labelled with coloured diamonds:

  • Yes - green diamond with a 'Y'

  • No - red diamond with a 'N'

Quick Steps to Add a Decision

  1. Different ways to add a decision:

    1. Keyboard shortcut: ALT+D

    2. Plus icon on the map: Hover over the connector where you want to add the decision and select the green or orange plus icon:

    3. Green action button: Click the add decision action button found on the left of the map: . This will create a decision at the end of the process which can then be moved to the correct place by unlocking the map and using drag-and-drop.

    4. From the right-hand side diagram content menu: a plus sign appears between nodes. Select the one where you want to add the decision.

  2. Edit the decision title and other details:

    1. Details tab: enter the decision title, responsible roles and tags. Easily switch the destinations of the YES and NO path.

    2. Connectors tab: set where connectors connect to and from the decision node. When a connector is moved to a different part of the node, the decision yes/no diamond will follow. Take note that one diamond (Y/N) will always be on the right-hand side (the primary decision path), and the other will be on top or bottom depending on the connector (secondary decision path).

    3. Yes / No tab: depending on which option is not in the main path:

      1. Select the activity of the path.

      2. Optionally add a text to describe the path connector.

      3. Choose to display the text on the map by switching the toggle on or off.

      4. Optionally change the connector positions.

      5. Optionally change the connector line type. The default line is dotted.

    4. Change Log

  3. Select Add Decision to save the details.

  4. The decision will be added to the map and right-hand side diagram content menu.

End Point

  • When a Decision is created, an endpoint is automatically added to the Yes/No diamond that is not in the happy path.

  • If a node linked to a non-main path of a decision is deleted, the “Add an endpoint?” option becomes available on the decision.

  • Upon creating a new decision, the “Add an endpoint?” option is not visible, as the system automatically includes an endpoint by default.

  • When a node is added as a child of the decision node, the previously added endpoint is automatically removed.

  • If a node is added to the non-main path of a decision, the endpoint is automatically removed.

Swop Around Y and N

By default, a decision’s happy path follows the Yes route and the branch follows the No route. However, Yes and No can be swapped when editing a decision.

Video demonstrating how to swop around Yes and No paths:

Note:

  • When adding or updating a decision, the version number of the process or value stream will increase.

  • Each user can choose whether the Edit Details or Edit Title card opens by default when editing a node (decision, activity, process link, event). This is done by setting user preferences. Further information on how to enable preferences user setting.

  • If a decision has a note and its connector is changed so that it exits from the top, where the note is displayed, the note icon will move to the opposite side and will remain within the decision.

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