What is a Signal Intermediate Catch Event in BPMN?

A Signal Intermediate Catch Event pauses a running process until a broadcast signal is received. Unlike messages, signals reach all listening processes without correlation, enabling cross-process coordination.

When should I use a Signal Intermediate Catch Event?

Use Signal Intermediate Catch Events when multiple process instances need to synchronize on a shared event-batch releases, go-live approvals, market openings. They enable one-to-many coordination.

How is the Signal Intermediate Catch Event different from related elements?

Signal Intermediate Catch Events respond to broadcasts reaching all listeners, while Message Intermediate Catch Events receive targeted communications. Signals synchronize many processes; messages coordinate specific pairs.

eventssignal trigger

Signal Intermediate Catch Event

A Signal Intermediate Catch Event pauses process execution until a broadcast signal is received. Multiple process instances can wait for and respond to the same signal simultaneously.

What is a Signal Intermediate Catch Event?

A Signal Intermediate Catch Event suspends a running process until a matching signal is broadcast. Since signals reach all listeners, multiple process instances can be waiting for and activated by the same signal.

Visual Representation

The event displays as a double-line circle containing an unfilled triangle pointing upward. The triangle represents the broadcast signal nature.

Key Characteristics

Broadcast reception: All waiting instances receive the signal
No correlation needed: Signals reach all listeners by name, not correlation
Cross-process coordination: Synchronizes multiple independent processes
One-to-many activation: Single signal can resume many waiting instances

How it connects

Signal ThrowThrow events broadcast signals; Catch events wait for them — all listening instances receive the same signal Message CatchMessage catch events wait for targeted messages; Signal catch events wait for broadcasts Signal StartSignal Start Events create new instances; Signal Intermediate Catch Events pause existing ones Event GatewaySignal catch events can follow event-based gateways to race against other event types

Common Use Cases

Batch Release

Multiple order processes wait at shipping until the "BatchReady" signal indicates the shipping batch is complete.

Go-Live Coordination

Several deployment processes pause until the "DeploymentApproved" signal broadcasts system-wide clearance.

Market Event Response

Trading processes wait for the "MarketOpen" signal before executing time-sensitive transactions.

Signal Intermediate Catch Event

What is a Signal Intermediate Catch Event?

Visual Representation

Key Characteristics

How it connects

Common Use Cases

Batch Release

Go-Live Coordination

Market Event Response

Frequently Asked Questions

Related BPMN Elements

Signal Start

Signal Throw

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