What is the Function Flow diagram?

The Function Flow diagram enables you to analyze the sequence of activities within your business processes. You can use the Function Flow diagram to clearly display and evaluate the process structure and the relationship between the activities.

Diagram layout

Nodes and Connections

A Function Flow diagram begins with a start node and has only outgoing connections (except self-loops). The end node of the diagram has only incoming connections (except self-loops). All other functions have at least one incoming and one outgoing connection.

If the number of start and end functions is configured, special start and end nodes are displayed in the graph. The outgoing and incoming connections of the special start and end nodes are drawn with a dashed line. The value on the connections shows the number of times the function was a start or end function in an EPC.

The line weight of a connection is defined by its relevance value. In addition to the stroke-size, the line transparency of the connections also depends on their relevance. Connections of start and end nodes always have the same line weight and are not displayed transparently.

Symbols

The Function Flow diagram can be displayed with symbols of EPC or BPMN style. The symbol size is fixed, and the function name within a symbol is automatically adjusted. If the visualization of the function measure value is configured, the measure value is displayed in the bottom right corner of a symbol. In addition, a tooltip containing the complete function name and the measure is displayed on each node.

Example

Function Flow diagram with EPC symbols and special start and end nodes.

function flow diagram