Which Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) notation type would you use to illustrate the reminder message?

Improvements are being considered for an Expense Process, and you have been asked to capture that there is now an approval task sent to the finance manager.

As part of the approval, the process should also reflect that if the payment has not been authorized within 48 hours, a reminder message is sent to the finance manager to inform them they have an outstanding task.

Which Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) notation type would you use to illustrate the reminder message?

A. Data object

B. Gateway

C. Intermediate event

D. Start event

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

In BPMN, an intermediate event is used to indicate events that occur between the start and end of a process. To model a reminder message that is sent if the payment is not authorized within 48 hours, an intermediate event, specifically a timer intermediate event, is the appropriate notation.

Intermediate Event Overview:

An intermediate event can be used to model actions such as delays, triggers, or messages that happen during the course of a process.

A timer intermediate event would be used to trigger the reminder after a set period (in this case, 48 hours).

Why Not Other Options?:

A. Data Object: Represents data stored or used by the process, not an event or action.

B. Gateway: Used for decision points or branching paths, not for triggering events.

D. Start Event: Marks the beginning of a process and cannot be used mid-process.

References:

Appian Documentation on BPMN Events: BPMN Events

Using an intermediate event ensures that the process can trigger the reminder at the right time, enhancing process automation and efficiency.