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

A Decision

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.