EPC Diagram Shapes Description

The hexagon event shape is the starting shape (and usually the last shape) in every EPC diagram and describes exactly what its name claims - an event.

The information Material shape stands for information, materials, or resource object from the real world that can be input data serving as the basis for a function, or output data produces by a function.

The AND Operator corresponds to activating all paths in the control flow concurrently.

The XOR operator has 2 stages and we can call them opening and closing stage. When the XOR operator is opening (i.e. processes or events follow after it) it tells the viewer that only one of the outgoing paths can be executed. When the XOR operator is closing (i.e. one of more paths within the diagram lead to it) the viewer should know that:

• If all paths are false the operator cannot activate the following process;
• If all paths are true the operator cannot activate the following process;
• If one is true and the other one false then the following process is activated.

Either way, the XOR operator cannot be a final (nor a starting) point of a diagram and it must be followed (or preceded) by either a process or an event.