What is a Escalation Start Event in BPMN?

An Escalation Start Event begins an event sub-process when an escalation is raised in the parent process. Unlike errors, escalations signal that attention is needed without necessarily indicating a failure.

When should I use a Escalation Start Event?

Use Escalation Start Events when situations need supervisor attention, priority upgrades, or parallel notification workflows. They are ideal for deadline warnings, approval delays, or resource issues.

How is the Escalation Start Event different from related elements?

Escalation Start Events handle attention-raising situations that may continue processing, while Error Start Events handle failures that typically interrupt processing. Escalations often run non-interrupting alongside the main flow.

What is a Escalation Start Event in BPMN?

An Escalation Start Event begins an event sub-process when an escalation is raised in the parent process. Unlike errors, escalations signal that attention is needed without necessarily indicating a failure.

When should I use a Escalation Start Event?

Use Escalation Start Events when situations need supervisor attention, priority upgrades, or parallel notification workflows. They are ideal for deadline warnings, approval delays, or resource issues.

How is the Escalation Start Event different from related elements?

Escalation Start Events handle attention-raising situations that may continue processing, while Error Start Events handle failures that typically interrupt processing. Escalations often run non-interrupting alongside the main flow.

eventsescalation triggerVariant of Start Event

Escalation Start Event

An Escalation Start Event initiates an event sub-process when an escalation is raised within the parent process. It enables hierarchical notification and handling of situations requiring attention at a higher level.

What is an Escalation Start Event?

An Escalation Start Event triggers an event sub-process when an escalation event is thrown. Unlike errors which indicate failures, escalations communicate that a situation needs attention-typically from a supervisor, manager, or specialized handler.

Visual Representation

The Escalation Start Event displays as a thin circle containing an upward-pointing arrow. This arrow symbolizes the upward escalation of an issue to higher authority or attention.

Key Characteristics

Event sub-process only: Must be used within an event sub-process
Non-interrupting option: Can run alongside the main process (unlike most error handlers)
Named escalations: Catches specific escalation codes for targeted handling
Hierarchical handling: Enables multi-level escalation chains

Common Use Cases

Approval Escalation

When an approval request remains pending too long, escalation notifies the approvers manager while the original request continues waiting.

Priority Upgrade

A customer complaint escalation starts a VIP handling sub-process while the standard process continues its course.

Resource Contention

Team capacity issues escalate to resource management for reallocation without stopping current work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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