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.
Administrators can allow branching in a company by following these instructions.
To create a branch, select an activity or process link to connect to an activity, process link or decision. A connectors tab has been added to the update pop up to allow you to select the parent node to form a branch.
When a branch is created, the child nodes (activity or process link) will always be added below the parent node (activity, process link or decision). When selecting a parent node, any activities or process links within a gateway and the process start and end points will not appear in the dropdown menu.
Activities and process links included in branches will have their assigned role included in the node. They may appear to fall under the incorrect swimlane, but the role can be seen within the node to clearly identify who is responsible.
Create a Branches with an Existing Activity/ Process Link
Open the update pop up
Double click on the node (the activity/ process link that you wish to branch from)
Right click and select edit
In the diagram content menu, click on the cog and select update activity
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 Update Activity
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 Activity/ Process Link
Open the Add Activity/ Process Link pop up
Alt-A or Alt-L
Right click on the map and select new -> activity/ process link
Click on the green Activity or Process Link button above the map
Add the required details
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
An endpoint can be added to an activity or a process link within a branch. Any node within a branch can have an endpoint, it is up to the user to correctly set the endpoint.
Note: Branches cannot be formed in gateways and decisions cannot fall in the middle of a branch.