Skip to content
Klarify Logo | Documentation API Docs

Model process with BPMN

This guide shows you how to use the BPMN editor to model your process workflows in Klarify.

The process model editor uses BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) to create visual diagrams that show the sequence of tasks in a process. You can add activities, gateways, events, and organize work into swim lanes.

Prerequisites

  • You have the required permissions (see above)
  • A process model is open in the editor (Create process models)

Instructions

For an overview of the editor’s areas — header bar, element toolbar, canvas, panels, Context Menu, and bottom toolbar — see Process model layout.

Add activities

Activities represent work that needs to be done in the process.

  1. Click the rectangle dropdown in the element toolbar.
  2. Select an activity type:
    • User Task — A task performed by a person
    • Subprocess — A group of tasks that form a sub-process
    • Transaction — A set of activities that must complete together
    • Event Subprocess — A subprocess triggered by an event
    • Call Activity (Process) — A reference to another process model
    • Global Task — A reusable task instruction
  3. Click on the canvas to place the activity.
  4. Double-click the activity to edit its name.

Add gateways

Gateways control the flow of the process, creating branches and merging paths.

  1. Click the diamond dropdown in the element toolbar.
  2. Select a gateway type:
    • Exclusive Gateway — Only one path is taken based on conditions
    • Parallel Gateway — All paths are taken simultaneously
    • Inclusive Gateway — One or more paths can be taken
  3. Click on the canvas to place the gateway.

Add events

Events mark something that happens during the process.

  1. Click the circle dropdown in the element toolbar.
  2. Select an event type:
    • Start Event — Where the process begins
    • End Event — Where the process ends
    • Intermediate Event — Something that happens during the process
  3. Click on the canvas to place the event.

Every process model needs at least one start event and one end event.

Set boundary event behavior

A boundary event is attached to an activity and starts an alternate path when something happens while that activity is running. Klarify places new boundary events around the activity and routes their outgoing connections away from the main flow.

To change how an existing boundary event behaves:

  1. Select the boundary event on the canvas.
  2. Open Settings in the Context Menu.
  3. Select one of the available modes:
    • Interrupting Boundary Event — Stops the attached activity when the event occurs.
    • Non-interrupting Boundary Event — Starts the alternate path while the attached activity continues.

If the boundary event type does not support non-interrupting behavior, Non-interrupting Boundary Event is disabled.

Connect elements

Connect elements to show the sequence of work using the connection points that appear when you hover over an element:

  1. Hover over the source element so its connection points appear around the border.
  2. Drag from a connection point to the target element to draw a sequence flow.

To add a new element that is already connected, click a connection point instead of dragging — it adds the default next element in that direction. The sequence flow arrow shows the direction of work.

Organize with pools and lanes

Use pools and lanes to show who is responsible for each part of the process.

  1. Click the lane icon in the element toolbar.
  2. Click on the canvas to add a pool.
  3. Click inside the pool to add lanes.
  4. Drag activities into the appropriate lanes.

Lanes typically represent:

  • Departments or teams
  • Roles or job functions
  • Systems or external parties

For an overview of the three pool types — Process Pool, Blackbox Pool, and Linked Pool — see Use pools in process models.

Edit element properties

  1. Select an element on the canvas.
  2. The Properties panel opens on the right.
  3. Edit the element name and other properties.
  4. For task elements, you can add task instructions from the properties panel.

Understand autosave and snapshots

Your work is automatically saved as you edit. You don’t need to manually save changes.

The Save button in the top right corner does not save your work—it creates a snapshot of the current state. Snapshots allow you to:

  • Capture a specific version of your work in progress
  • Restore to a previous state if needed
  • Track major milestones before publishing

To create a snapshot:

  1. Click Save in the top right corner.
  2. Follow the snapshot workflow to name and save the snapshot.

For more information, see Create snapshots.

The process model remains in draft status until you publish it.