Imagine if you could easily follow every step of a process - from start to finish, without losing any details. You often come across workflows that are difficult to keep track of and in which important steps are lost. This is exactly where the activity diagram method comes in.
This article provides a clear overview of the basics of activity diagrams. It explains how individual actions and branches can be represented graphically and which elements help to make the entire process comprehensible. It also shows how Collaboard as an online whiteboard facilitates collaboration and enables secure, flexible visualization.
How does an activity diagram work?
An activity diagram shows you how tasks in a process run step by step. It is part of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and helps you to depict processes in a clear and structured way. With this diagram, you can see which actions are carried out in sequence and where decisions need to be made.
Basic idea and benefits
An activity diagram begins with a starting point and ends with an end point.
- Starting point: This is where the process begins.
- Actions: Each task or activity is represented by a simple rectangle.
- Decisions: Diamonds are used at points where the process branches out.
- Connections: Arrows show how the process leads from one action to the next.
These diagrams are very helpful in everyday project work as they give you a quick overview of complex processes. They allow you to quickly recognize where delays may occur or where tasks are being carried out more than once.
Differentiation from general UML flowcharts
A general UML flowchart often only shows the sequence of activities. An activity diagram, on the other hand, places particular emphasis on showing the logic behind the decisions. This makes it clear under which conditions certain steps are carried out and how the actions are conditionally continued.
Collaboard helps you to create activity diagrams directly online. With the practical functions of the online whiteboard, you can collaborate in real time and adapt your diagram flexibly. Start using Collaboard now for free and visualize your project flow clearly!
UML activity diagram: Important symbols
A UML activity diagram illustrates how a process works. Various elements are used so that you can follow each step. Below you can see the most important building blocks and how they are used:
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Start/start node: A small, often black circle that marks the start of the process.
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Activity/action status: A rectangle that represents the overall status or individual process sections.
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Action: Rounded rectangles that symbolize concrete, executable steps.
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Control flow/edge: Arrows that show the transition from one action to the next and control the process.
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Object flow/control edge: Lines that represent the path of data or objects between the actions.
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Activity end node: A special symbol that indicates the end of all control flows within an activity.
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Flow End Node: Marks the end of a single flow path.
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Decision node: A diamond that shows several possible paths at one point - this is where you decide which path to follow.
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Merge nodes: Used to unite several parallel flows into a common flow.
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Fork: Splits a flow into several simultaneous strands so that several actions can start in parallel.
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Merge: Merges parallel flows without waiting for complete synchronization.
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Sending signals: Indicates that a signal is being sent to activate another part of the process.
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Signal receipt: Indicates the receipt of a signal that initiates the continuation of a process.
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Note/comment: Supplementary information that provides additional explanations or hints.
Each of these elements helps you to visualize complex processes clearly. Would you like to visualize your processes clearly and reliably? Then start now for free with Collaboard!
Swimlanes
Swimlanes divide an activity diagram into different areas to make it clear who is responsible for which tasks. They assign actions to specific players or departments and help you keep track of things - even in complex processes. With Swimlanes, you can see at a glance which steps are carried out by which people. This increases transparency and makes the diagram easier to understand.
Create activity diagram: Step by step with Collaboard
To create an activity diagram with Collaboard, it helps you to break down the entire process into individual, comprehensible steps. The following guide shows you how to clearly structure and visualize your process.
1. prepare the online whiteboard
Before you start working on the content, set up your whiteboard optimally. Collaboard allows you to create a new whiteboard from scratch or use an existing template. You can also import diagrams that you have created in other tools as images or PDFs.
- Create a new whiteboard or select a suitable template.
- Make sure that predefined structures, such as swimlanes, are locked in the background if necessary to prevent unwanted shifts.
2. Define actions and processes
In the next step, you determine the individual steps of your process. Here you identify all relevant actions and arrange them in the correct order. A clear structure helps you to present alternative processes and decision points in an understandable way.
- Determine all the actions that occur in the sequence.
- Arrange the actions in a logical sequence.
- Insert decision symbols to illustrate alternative paths.
3. Insert shapes, icons and connecting lines
Once the content has been defined, the technical part begins: adding shapes, icons and connecting lines. Collaboard offers you a large selection of symbols with which you can visualize the individual steps.
- Select the appropriate elements for your diagram from the available shapes and icons.
- Place the elements in the defined area on the whiteboard.
- Connect the elements with lines that can be magnetically aligned to the objects and can be individually adjusted in style, color and thickness.
4. Customize diagram and edit in a team
Once you have the basic structure, you can refine the diagram further. The simple operation of Collaboard allows you and your team to work together on the diagram immediately and make adjustments.
- Optimize the layout and adjust details when processes change.
- Use the collaboration functions to receive direct feedback from your team members.
- Save and export your finished diagram for further use.
Application scenarios and examples for UML activity diagrams
An activity diagram offers you the opportunity to clearly visualize the entire process flow. This allows you to quickly recognize where decisions need to be made or alternative processes are possible. Examples from practice are
- When a user logs in, all the necessary steps, including any error messages, are clearly displayed.
- In the ordering process, transitions between the individual actions are clearly visualized so that everyone involved can follow the process.
Our recommendations for creating activity diagrams
When creating an activity diagram, it is important that you define clear structures right from the start. We recommend that you use standardized symbols and keep the labels short. This will help you maintain an overview and avoid misunderstandings.
A key tip is to clearly assign each activity to a responsible person. This helps you and your team to quickly recognize who is responsible for which step. A clear assignment also makes subsequent adjustments and coordination easier.
Make sure you take advantage of an online whiteboard like Collaboard. With Collaboard, you can work on your diagram as a team in real time - without long training periods. The flexible interface allows you to easily move and edit elements and add color highlights. This makes your diagram not only clear, but also appealing.
Start your activity diagram with Collaboard now
Activity diagrams are an effective method for visualizing complex process flows. The process begins with a clearly defined starting point, runs through precisely labeled actions where decisions are made and alternative paths are shown, and finally ends at a clear end point. Uniform symbols and concise labeling help to ensure that the process can be understood at a glance.
Collaboard makes it possible to create diagrams flexibly and securely - whether working individually or in a team. The intuitive operation ensures that you can work productively straight away, even without extensive training. It is also possible to use existing templates or import your own diagrams, which speeds up the creation process considerably.
Collaboard's high scalability and enormous security standard make it an ideal choice for organizations with high data protection requirements. Overall, Collaboard not only offers a clear visualization of processes, but also promotes collaboration and adaptability in day-to-day work.
Activity diagram - Frequently asked questions and answers
What distinguishes an activity diagram from other UML diagrams?
An activity diagram focuses on the flow of your processes and shows the connection between different steps and responsibilities. In comparison, sequence diagrams stand for the temporal exchange of messages between objects, whereas state diagrams illustrate the change of states for a single object.
Which symbols should you definitely know in the activity diagram?
You need start and end nodes to mark the start and end of the process. Decision nodes are also important for branches, and action fields describe the individual steps of your process.
How can loops be represented in an activity diagram?
To map recurring processes, you route the control flows back to the desired location after an action via a branch. This creates a closed loop that you can run through as often as necessary until the defined conditions are met.
Does it make sense to create an activity diagram online?
Yes, this is particularly worthwhile if several people are to work on the diagram at the same time. With a virtual whiteboard like Collaboard, you can share changes in real time and give your entire team direct access.
Can an activity diagram also be used for non-technical processes?
Definitely, because you can use it to design processes in personnel administration, support or other organizational areas very clearly. It helps you to clearly define responsibilities and identify bottlenecks more quickly.
How detailed should an activity diagram be?
Make sure to present your steps as clearly as necessary, but as concisely as possible. Too many actions make the diagram confusing, while too few steps can obscure important information.
How can Collaboard help with the joint creation of an activity diagram?
Collaboard allows you to work on a board with others in real time and to track every step transparently. This allows you to share ideas directly, distribute tasks smoothly and keep an eye on the progress of everyone involved.
