Event-Driven Process Chain Event-Driven Process Chain
Definition
The event-driven process chain (EPC) describes the chronological and logical relationship of business functions, processes and events. It links data, tasks and organizations and is the central element in business process design.
Use
You can display the process models at the business scenario and process hierarchy levels in detail using the event-driven process chain.
The event-driven process chain contains different model elements depending on the hierarchy level:
Hierarchy level |
Model element |
Business scenarios |
Processes |
Processes |
Functions |
Structure
The basic elements of the event-driven process chain are:
Element |
Description |
Question |
Example |
Event |
A status that has business relevance, that can trigger one or more functions at the point where it occurs, and that can result from a function |
When is something to be done? When has something been done? |
Order is received or Order is released. |
Function |
The smallest discrete function in the R/3 System and is therefore part of complete business task. |
What is to be done? |
Check order |
Information object |
The representation of a real world object in the R/3 System. |
What information is needed in order for a function to be carried out? |
Sales order |
System organization |
The representation of an enterprise’s organizational units and structures in the R/3 System. |
Who or what is responsible for doing something? |
Sales organization |
In addition to these basic elements, the event-driven process chain contains other elements:
Element |
Description |
Linking operator |
The logical link (AND, OR and exclusive OR) between events and functions. |
Control flow |
The chronological and logical relationships of events and functions. |
Information flow |
Describes whether an information object is an input or output object for a function. |
Assignment to system organizational units |
Describes which units or resources process a function. |
Event-Driven Process Chain
Integration
The relationship between event-driven process chains can be identified through shared events and path symbols.
In the following graphic the relationship between two event-driven process chains using path symbols is portrayed.
Path Symbols in Event-Driven Process Chains
From an event-driven process chain you can navigate to the visualization group diagram and vice versa.