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Numbering of Activities, Process Links, Events and Decisions

Activity numbers are automatically assigned based on where the activity appears in the process. This makes process maps easier to follow and helps users quickly understand the relationship between activities and branches.

Written by Hylet Pistorius

How the Numbering Works

Activities (nodes) on the main process flow (happy path) use whole numbers. Nodes in a gateway always appear in the happy/main process path and have whole numbers:

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

When a branch is created, the activities in that branch use decimal numbering linked to the main activity:

  • 2.1

  • 2.2

  • 2.3

If a decision in that branch, creates a horizontal path that leads out of the branch, the numbering continues automatically:

  • 2.21

  • 2.22

Nested branches also continue the numbering structure automatically:

  • 2.241

  • 2.242

This numbering system helps show exactly where each activity belongs in the process.

Numbering on the map:

Numbering on the corresponding process steps:

Example

Activity Type

Example

Main process activity

2

Branch activity

2.1

Decision leading out of the branch

2.21

Nested branch activity

2.241

Note

  • Activity numbers are created automatically updates automatically as the process changes.

  • Existing links and connections between activities are not affected.

  • The numbering structure works for both simple and complex process maps with multiple levels of branching.

  • Decision numbering cannot be seen on the map but is visible in the right-hand side diagram content menu.

  • SOP, print and exports display the same numbering as the process map.

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