Decision box with multiple outputs

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Arti

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Sep 29, 2011, 3:50:25 AM9/29/11
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Hi,

Is is possible to have 3 connectors as outputs from 1 decision box as
follows:

_____decision 1_____
|
<>-------decision 2---------
|_____decision 3______

Or is it only possible to have 2 outputs max from a decision box.

Also if above is possible would you add the O symbol within the
decision box to indicate multiple outputs ?

Thanks

Arti

Roy Thompson

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Sep 30, 2011, 7:34:48 AM9/30/11
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Hi Arti,

The Gateway (Decision Diamond) has never been a binary routing symbol,
it has always accomadated multiple output (and input) routes.

The blank symbol denotes an exclusive routing where only one output
route is possible, by adding the O into the symbol you remove the
exclusiveness and none, one or more routes are possible depending on
the conditions controlling each route.

Hope that helps

Roy

Neal McWhorter

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Sep 30, 2011, 9:39:29 AM9/30/11
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Arti,

There is no limit to the number of either incoming or outgoing flows from a "decision box" (what BPMN calls a Gateway). Whether you place the circle in the gateway or not depends upon whether you intend to indicate that exactly one path out is allowed or that more than one  path out is allowed. If the gateway is blank or contains an X then only one path out is allowed and it is an error if more than one is activated. If the gateway contains a circle then one or more paths out are allowed.

Good luck!

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Graham, Laura L

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Sep 30, 2011, 9:14:49 AM9/30/11
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Arti -
There is no limit to the number of incoming or outgoing flows from a gateway (although if you have more than 5, I would suggest it is an opportunity to improve your process or simplify your rules in some way).
Regarding which symbol to use depends on your process context.
The o symbol is for inclusive gateways - meaning that in each specific process instance, at least one of the outgoing sequence flows must be applicable, but as many as all of them might be. The decision as to which paths to follow is based on data elements. In the case of an inclusive gateway, you are usually checking multiple data fields at the same time / order doesn't matter.
Some examples of exclusive gateways (only one flow can be followed) with multiple sequence flows coming out:
Activity = compare credit score to credit policy. Followed by exclusive gateway with three outcoming flows - one for "high risk" one for "medium risk" and one for "low risk" - customer can only be one of the three. Another example might be to have an activity "check customer state" followed by a gateway with 50 different sequence flows - one for a different activity if something different is required for each state (in this case I'd suggest you look at how your rules are written for improvement).
Hope that helps

Hi,

Thanks

Arti

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