Process Author -  Can you show me a example about Parallel Gateway ?

Question

Hi!!

I need help!

I tried to create process definition  with parallel gateway,I couldn't understand how to use the Parallel Gateway option , and what time to use it. I searched the Administration Guide but don't have much explanation.
I'm confuse about feature, show me a example?

Thank you.
Veronica.

Veronica Gomes · Accepted Answer

Hello Veronica,

Great question! Use a parallel gateway in a complex process that has multiple things happening all at once (or "parallel" to each other). Unlike the other gateways, there is no evaluation inside this gateway. it simply tells the process that 2 things are about to happen at the same time.

For example, when a high-value opportunity is created, a process could kick off where the sales manager must approve the total while the accounting department runs a credit check on the account. If you used an exclusive gateway, it would enforce only one of these options (sales approval OR credit check). But with a parallel gateway, the process can branch off in BOTH directions at the same time, and then optionally meet up again later. If the parallel flows reconvene, just use another parallel gateway to merge them.

In the following screenshot, we have a case approval process where, if the case approval is ignored for x amount of time, the approval gets reassigned to someone else. The parallel gateway is leveraged to kick off two separate functions. The top flow starts the approval and specifies behavior for approve/reject response. The bottom flow starts a timer that sends a reminder message 3 times before hitting a change-user event.

When using parallel gateways it is very important to use the correct End-event type in your process. In the example above, all three end events are set to "Terminate". This means that, if a flow hits any one of the three terminate events, then the entire process will stop running.

Do Nothing: Ends the current branch; prevents parallel process branches from stopping prematurely
Terminate Process: Stops the entire process; will terminate all parallel branches even if there are steps remaining

I hope this helps!

Best regards,
Jill

SugarCRM
Knowledge Team