Control parameters define the behavior of processes and the outcomes of simulations. These parameters help dictate when and how events are triggered and allow you to add conditions and probabilities to control the process flow.
Trigger count defines the maximum number of times the start event will trigger within a specified period. This parameter helps simulate how many times the process is initiated, allowing you to model scenarios where the process is triggered multiple times in a given frame of time. By adjusting the trigger count, you can explore how varying demand or event occurrences impact the process flow.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of triggers | Positive whole number including 0. |
Inter trigger timer defines the time interval between consecutive occurrences of the start event. This parameter is useful for simulating processes that are triggered at regular intervals or triggered at the intervals determined by a distribution. By adjusting the inter trigger timer, you can model scenarios where the process needs to handle different timing patterns.
Set inter trigger timers using the short format, long format or a distribution.
Probability specifies the likelihood of an event occurring or driving a token in a particular direction along a given path. It’s defined on outgoing sequence flows as a percentage, with the total of all probabilities equal to 100%. If no percentage is specified, the probabilities are evenly distributed.
In the XML model, probabilities are represented as whole numbers or decimals, and the sum total of all probabilities on outgoing sequence flows must equal 1.
Note: If you set a probability on an outgoing sequence flow, you can’t set a condition.
Conditions determine the criteria for triggering an event or token. For instance, a token will follow a specific path if a particular condition is met. Conditions are defined on outgoing sequence flows using a boolean expression in XPath 1.0 format.
Note: If you set a condition on an outgoing sequence flow, you can’t set a probability.
Control parameters can be applied to the following BPMN elements:
| Control parameter | Element |
|---|---|
| Inter trigger timer | Start events, intermediate catch events, activities, subprocesses* and call activities*. |
| Trigger count | Start events. |
| Probability | Outgoing sequence flows, boundary events. |
| Condition | Outgoing sequence flows, boundary events. |
*Subprocesses and call activities must be empty (without decomposition).