---
title: "Glossary — Spiff Arena 0.1 documentation"
description: "Refers to the work carried out by an individual or an organization within a process. Activities can be classified into three categories: Task, Sub-process, and Call Activity. These activities can be either atomic or…"
source_url: https://spiff.works/docs/spiff-arena/reference/glossary.html
---

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# Glossary[](#glossary "Link to this heading")

## Activity[](#activity "Link to this heading")

Refers to the work carried out by an individual or an organization within a process.
Activities can be classified into three categories: Task, Sub-process, and Call Activity.
These activities can be either atomic or non-atomic.
Atomic activities are indivisible and represent single tasks, while non-atomic activities involve multiple steps or sub-processes that work together to achieve a larger objective.

## Boundary Event[](#boundary-event "Link to this heading")

This refers to an event that can be triggered while an activity is in progress.
Boundary events are utilized for error and exception handling purposes.

## BPMN Model[](#bpmn-model "Link to this heading")

This is a visual depiction of a business process designed to be both human-readable and machine-readable, typically represented in XML format.

## Business Process[](#business-process "Link to this heading")

This is a sequence of interconnected activities conducted by individuals and systems, following a defined order, with the aim of delivering a service or product, or accomplishing a specific business objective.
These processes involve the receipt, processing, and transfer of information and resources to generate desired outputs.

## Diagram[](#diagram "Link to this heading")

This is the visual platform where business processes are represented and mapped out.

## Call Activity[](#call-activity "Link to this heading")

This refers to the act of a parent or higher-level process invoking a predefined or reusable child process, which is represented in another process diagram.
This invocation allows for the utilization of the child process multiple times, enhancing reusability within the overall model.

## Collapsed Sub-process[](#collapsed-sub-process "Link to this heading")

This is a Sub-process that conceals the underlying process it includes.

## Connecting Element[](#connecting-element "Link to this heading")

These are lines that establish connections between Flow Elements within a process, creating a Flow.
There are four distinct types of connecting elements: Sequence Flows, Message Flows, Associations, and Data Associations.

## Elements[](#elements "Link to this heading")

These are the fundamental components used to construct processes.
These elements encompass Flow Elements, Connecting Elements, Data Elements, Artifacts, and Lanes.

## End Event[](#end-event "Link to this heading")

This marks the conclusion of a process.
An End Event can result in a Message, Error, or Signal outcome.

## Error[](#error "Link to this heading")

This denotes a significant issue encountered during the execution of an Activity or process, indicating a failure or malfunction in the processing.

## Event[](#event "Link to this heading")

This is an occurrence within a process that influences the Flow and typically involves a trigger and/or a result.
Events can be categorized into four types: Start, Intermediate, End, and Boundary.

## Event-Based Gateway[](#event-based-gateway "Link to this heading")

This marks a specific point within the process where alternative paths are initiated based on the occurrence of an Event.

## Exception[](#exception "Link to this heading")

This is an Event within the process that deviates from the normal flow of execution.
Exceptions can be triggered by Time, Error, or Message Events.

## Exclusive Gateway[](#exclusive-gateway "Link to this heading")

This denotes a juncture within the process where multiple alternative paths are available, but only one path can be chosen.
The decision regarding the chosen path is determined by a condition.

## Expanded Sub-process[](#expanded-sub-process "Link to this heading")

This is a Sub-process that shows the process it contains.

## Gateway[](#gateway "Link to this heading")

This is a component that governs the available paths within a process.
Gateways can merge or diverge paths or introduce additional paths based on conditions or Events.
There are four types of Gateways: Exclusive, Parallel, Inclusive, and Event-Based.

## Intermediate Event[](#intermediate-event "Link to this heading")

This is an event that occurs in the middle of a process, neither at the start nor the end.
It can be connected to other tasks through connectors or placed on the border of a task.
It evaluates conditions and circumstances, triggering events and enabling the initiation of alternative paths within the process.

## Join[](#join "Link to this heading")

This refers to the process of merging two or more parallel Sequence Flows into a single path using a Parallel Gateway.

## Lane[](#lane "Link to this heading")

These are subdivisions within a Pool that are utilized to assign activities to specific roles, systems, or departments.

## Merge[](#merge "Link to this heading")

This is the process in which two or more parallel Sequence Flow paths converge into a single path, achieved either through multiple incoming Sequence Flows or by utilizing an Exclusive Gateway.
This merging of paths is also commonly referred to as an “OR-Join.”

## Message[](#message "Link to this heading")

This signifies the content of a communication exchanged between two Participants.
The message is transmitted through a Message Flow.

## Non-atomic Activity[](#non-atomic-activity "Link to this heading")

This refers to an Activity that can be further decomposed into more detailed steps or subtasks.
A Sub-process is an example of a non-atomic Activity.
It is also commonly referred to as a “compound” Activity.

## Parallel Gateway[](#parallel-gateway "Link to this heading")

This indicates a specific point within the process where the Flow divides or merges into multiple parallel paths.

## Parent Process[](#parent-process "Link to this heading")

This is a process that contains a Sub-process.

## Participant[](#participant "Link to this heading")

This refers to a business entity, which can be an organization, department, unit, or role involved in a process.

## Pool[](#pool "Link to this heading")

This represents a Participant in a process.

## Process Instance[](#process-instance "Link to this heading")

A Process Instance is a specific occurrence of a Process Model that is executed within a workflow engine.

## Process Model[](#process-model "Link to this heading")

A Process Model is a visual representation of a process that defines the sequence of activities, decisions, and interactions required to achieve a particular goal.

## Sequence Flow[](#sequence-flow "Link to this heading")

This specifies the sequence and behavior of the Flow Elements within a process.

## Signal[](#signal "Link to this heading")

This is an Event that is transmitted to all individuals or entities participating in a process.

## Start Event[](#start-event "Link to this heading")

This indicates where a process starts.

## Sub-process[](#sub-process "Link to this heading")

This is a self-contained and compound Activity incorporated within a process, capable of being further decomposed into smaller units of work.

## Swimlane[](#swimlane "Link to this heading")

See Lane, which is the preferred term.

## Task[](#task "Link to this heading")

This is an action performed by a person, an application, or both.

## Text Annotation[](#text-annotation "Link to this heading")

This provides additional information about the elements in a diagram.

## Trigger[](#trigger "Link to this heading")

This is a mechanism that detects and identifies a particular condition or circumstance within a Start Event or Intermediate Event, subsequently initiating a corresponding response.