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Creating Branches

Branching allows users to connect activities, decision, process links and events to create a more complex process with alternative paths.

Written by Hylet Pistorius

What is a Branch?

A branch allows you to create an alternative path within a process. When you reach a fork in the road, you can choose different directions, splitting the process into multiple steps that follow separate paths. This enables you to design processes with more complexity, where tasks can take different routes depending on the chosen path.

Branching is not automatically enabled. Administrators can allow branching in a company by following these instructions.

To create a branch, select the orange plus icon that appear when hovering at the bottom of a node:

When a branch is created, the child nodes will always be added below the parent node.

Create a Branch with an Existing Node

Two ways:

  1. Edit the node (explained below) or

  2. Unlock the map and move the node to the desired position in the branch using drag-and-drop.

Edit the node:

  • Edit the node (activity, decision, process link, event) using any of these methods:

    • Select the node and press ENTER

    • Double-click

    • Right click and select edit

    • In the diagram content menu, click on the cog and select 'update'

  • Change to the Connectors tab at the top of the card.

  • Select a parent node (the node that will appear above the node you are editing).

  • Edit the line positions if needed (where you want the connectors to enter and exit). If this is not manually set, the default positions will be chosen.

  • Click the 'Update' button.

Once a node has a child, the child node will appear in the drop down as the parent node option. This allows users to only select 1 child node for every parent.

Create a Branches with a New Node

Easiest method: Hover over the bottom of the node where the branch will be added and select the orange plus icon. Select the node to add.

OR

  • Add a new node (activity, decision, process link, event)

  • Change to the Connectors tab

  • Select a parent node (the node that will appear above the node you are editing)

  • Select the line positions (where you want the connectors to enter and exit)

  • Click on Add Activity

Add An Endpoint

An endpoint can be added to a branch.

  1. Open the edit details tab of the selected node:

    1. Multiple ways to open the Edit Details popup of an Activity/Event/Process Link/Decision:

      • Double click the node (Activity/Event/Process Link/Decision), select Edit Details tab.

      • Press Enter while the node is selected, select Edit Details tab.

      • Right click the activity and choose Edit, Edit Details.

      • Click the magnifying glass on the activity, then the cog, then Update/Edit Details.

      • In the right-hand side diagram content menu, select the options cog, Edit.

  2. Toggle on 'Add an endpoint?' in the Details tab.

  3. Select the 'Update' button.

Note:

  • Branches cannot be formed within gateways, i.e., you cannot have a branch in a gateway.

  • All nodes (except decisions) within a branch will have their assigned role included in the node (embedded). They may appear to fall under the incorrect swimlane, but the role can be seen within the node to clearly identify who is responsible. All role assignments can still be seen on the diagram content menu.

  • Switch to Embedded view to view all roles embedded in the nodes and no swimlanes.

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