Triggers and results

Start and most Intermediate events can have multiple triggers that are used to describe the cause(s) for the event. End Events may define a Result that is a consequence of the Sequence Flow ending. Boundary events define a trigger or result that occurs on the boundary of an event.

The available triggers are Message, Timer, Error, Cancel, Compensation, Rule, Link, Multiple, Terminate. The following table specifies which triggers can be used with which events, and the graphic marker (icon) for each one.

Triggers can be added to a model with the event by right-clicking the arrow next to the object in the Palette, selecting the desired event/trigger combination, and dragging the desired event with trigger/result to the model. Triggers can also be added to the model later by using the context menu (right-click on the event) or Properties view.

Trigger	Description	Applicable Events
None	A trigger is not a required element. Also used for a sub-process that starts when the flow is triggered by its parent process.	Start, Intermediate, End
Message	Specifies that a message must be sent or received (depending on the type of event).	Start, Intermediate, End
Timer	Can indicate either a time interval, or a specific date and time for an event.	Start, Intermediate
Error	Indicates the action to be taken if there is an error in the process. An Error trigger can only be placed on the border of a sub-process.	Intermediate, End
Cancel	Cancels the process. Often used with a transaction process to indicate that if part of the transaction (a sub-process) errors, the entire transaction will be canceled.	Intermediate, End
Compensation	Indicates the relationship between two activities. For example, a Compensation trigger might link a database with the associated “rollback” data.	Intermediate, End
Rule	Specifies that the associated rules must be applied to the process or activity.	Start, Intermediate
Link	Used to associate multiple pages of a model.	Start, Intermediate, End
Multiple	Illustrates that multiple triggers apply to the process or activity.	Start, Intermediate, End
Terminate	Ends all branches of a model, unless it is placed on a sub-process.	End