Decision / Merge
The Decision / Merge element in an Activity Diagram serves a dual purpose. As a Decision node, it represents a point where the flow can take alternative paths based on a condition. As a Merge node, it brings together multiple alternative paths without synchronization.
With Decision / Merge nodes in Modeldraw's Activity Diagram, you can:
Model points of conditional branching in your process
Represent the convergence of alternative paths
Create complex workflows with multiple possible routes
Show how different conditions affect the flow of your activity
Simplify diagrams by using the same symbol for both branching and merging
Understanding Decision / Merge
A Decision / Merge node in Modeldraw's Activity Diagram tool is represented by a diamond shape. Key points to understand about Decision / Merge nodes include:
The same symbol is used for both decision points and merging points.
When used as a Decision, it has one incoming flow and multiple outgoing flows.
When used as a Merge, it has multiple incoming flows and one outgoing flow.
In its Decision role, each outgoing flow represents a possible path based on a condition.
In its Merge role, it represents where alternative paths come back together.
Unlike Join nodes, Merge nodes don't synchronize concurrent flows.
The role (Decision or Merge) is determined by how it's used in the diagram.
Remember that the context and connections determine whether the node functions as a Decision or a Merge.
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