Best practice for Process Design

The design of your business process has significant impact on its usability and performance. To optimize the process structure, we recommend the following best practices:

Create small processes and divide them into separate blocks. We do not recommend placing more than 10 - 15 elements on a single diagram. If a process is complex, some element groups in a process can be implemented by using sub processes, and then connecting those sub processes into your main Business process.

The Main flow in the process should be in the same line and alternate paths should be lined in branches. For example: In an approval process (Fig: Approval Process) below, elements that lead to successful process execution are lined on a single level and additional conditional approval paths are depicted in the branches.

Fig: Approval Process

Build a process so that the maximum number of flows is lined in one direction. There are two ways to achieve it: building a process downwards or from left to right. Minimize the number of intersecting flows for the process to look clearer.

Name processes & nodes by their purpose. Always name all elements, flows and connections on the process diagram and avoid identical and similar names. Node tasks and Events names should include an action, that is to be executed by an element or an object, and the object to which said action is applied, for example: “Place order’, “Send message”, “Register issue”.

Delete obsolete process parameters.

When using the [Read data] task like Database Node/ File Read Node etc, configure reading of only the required columns, if there is no need to read them all. Reading all columns might lead to slow business process execution performance.

When branching the process flow, set one of the flows to “default”. This will prevent the business process from “freezing” if there are no eligible branches.

Avoid overlapping of elements and connections and make sure names are clearly visible.

When setting up a new process, make sure the diagram does not contain any unnecessary elements.