Task
A Task is an atomic activity within a process flow that represents work to be performed. It is the most basic unit of work in BPMN and cannot be broken down further within the process model.
What is a Task?
A Task is an atomic activity representing a single unit of work within a process. Unlike sub-processes, tasks cannot be decomposed into smaller steps within the diagram-they represent the lowest level of work granularity.
Visual Representation
A Task displays as a rounded rectangle with no additional markers. When untyped (abstract), it has no icons inside, distinguishing it from specialized task types like User Tasks or Service Tasks.
Key Characteristics
- Atomic work unit: Cannot be broken down further in the process model
- Abstract by default: Untyped tasks don't specify who or what performs the work
- Placeholder usage: Often used during initial modeling before specifying task types
- Execution semantics: Completes when the work is done; no internal structure
Trigger Variants
Task can be triggered by different mechanisms. Each variant uses a specific icon marker to indicate its trigger type.
Common Use Cases
Early-Stage Modeling
Use abstract tasks during initial process discovery before determining whether work is manual, automated, or user-driven.
Simple Work Items
Represent straightforward work steps where the executor type does not need to be specified.
Documentation Diagrams
In high-level process documentation where implementation details are not the focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related BPMN Elements
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