Element - Mask Flow Diagram

The mask flow diagram is based on the BPMN diagram and enables a mask and its entries to be entered for a user task.

Definition

Mask flows often play an important role in requirements analysis. This is because users of an IT application in the operating department primarily use masks, dialogs or windows for communicating their requirements. The mask flow diagram extends the BPMN concept of a user task by enabling you to enter a mask for a task and to display the mask's fields within the task. Mask definitions and mask fields are not part of the BPMN specification.

Icon

The icon is of a diagram with a flow element in it.

Mask Flow Diagram Vs. BPMN Diagram

You should use the mask flow diagram instead of a BPMN diagram if input masks play a role in the modeled process and it will make more sense if the relevant fields are visualized in the process. If you do not need this display and are more concerned with help using objects and their structures to model which data is processed by a task, then you should use the standard BPMN diagram.

User Input Task

The user input task is a special user task. You can assign a mask definition to both tasks but the mask is only visualized in the special user input task. If you only have small masks or only a few mask fields which are relevant for understanding the process, these may actually improve your understanding of the process.

Mask Definition

A mask definition represents an input mask with a "shallow" list of fields. This means that it cannot be hierarchically structured as is the case for an object structure. The mask definition is not aimed at portraying a complete dialog with all its tabs and sub groups of elements. Instead, it should be used to group all fields which are required when carrying out individual tasks and for understanding the surrounding processes.

Mask Field

A mask field is a typable element within a mask definition. You can use this field type to differentiate between various types, such as field or yes/no selection.