Call Activity
A Call Activity invokes a reusable process defined externally. It references a global process definition, enabling process reuse across multiple calling processes.
What is a Call Activity?
A Call Activity invokes an external, reusable process definition. Unlike embedded sub-processes, the called process is defined globally and can be invoked from multiple calling processes.
Visual Representation
A Call Activity displays as a rounded rectangle with a thick/bold border. The bold border distinguishes it from regular tasks and indicates that it calls an external element.
Key Characteristics
- External reference: Points to a separately defined process
- Reusability: Same process can be called from multiple places
- Data mapping: Input/output variables are mapped between caller and callee
- Scope isolation: Called process runs in its own scope
Common mistake
Duplicating the same sub-process in multiple diagrams instead of using a Call Activity. If the same steps appear in more than one process, extract them into a global process and call it.
How it connects
Common Use Cases
Standard Approval Process
Call a standard approval process from multiple workflows that need approval functionality.
Shared Notification Flow
Invoke a reusable notification process that handles email, SMS, and in-app notifications.
Compliance Check
Call a standardized compliance verification process from any workflow requiring compliance checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related BPMN Elements
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