Learning objective
Represent process events, activities, decisions and handoffs with a shared notation.
Why it matters
A process description hides who waits for whom and what happens after an exception.
Core concept
Use a bounded BPMN diagram with events, tasks, gateways, sequence flows and pools or lanes. Model only the detail needed for the decision; validate semantics with process participants.
Scenario
A hospital laboratory loses urgent samples between collection and analysis. The written procedure lists steps but no acknowledgment at the courier handoff.
Worked decision
Map collection, labeling, courier acceptance and lab receipt with an explicit missing-receipt exception and escalation owner.
Decision rule
Walk real cases through the diagram and revise.
Ethical boundary
Mistaking a neat diagram for observed practice, or modelling every detail before the boundary is agreed.
AI lens
Use AI to organize evidence, then verify its source and keep decision authority with people.
Quick check
What would invalidate the first proposed action? Mistaking a neat diagram for observed practice, or modelling every detail before the boundary is agreed.
Next step
Complete the Business Process Model and Notation case.