How to connect different processes to each other

Off-page connectors; line connectors; cross-map connectors; process link; flowline linking

Ksawery Lisinski avatar
Written by Ksawery Lisinski
Updated over a week ago

You can create a direct link between various processes, both within the same map and between different maps. The only limitation is that those maps must exist in the same Space.

Note: If you just want to follow the steps...scroll down to the 90 second video below. To understand the whole context, please read this background...

Article outline

  • Prerequisites

  • Overview

  • Why connect process diagrams?

  • How to connect processes using connectors?

  • Hints and common issues

  • You might be also interested in

Prerequisites

  • Registered and verified Elements account

  • Edit rights to a process map

Overview

You can create a direct link between various processes, both within the same map and between different maps. The only limitation is that those maps must exist in the same Space. That way you can create a natural flow between processes that allows users to follow the value chain between various teams and departments. 

This article covers the most precise linking; that from a flow line (output from an activity) connector on one diagram - to a flow-line (input to an activity) connector on another diagram.

TIP You can also link from any given Activity to a specific diagram that already exists within the hierarchy. Simply right-click on the activity, select "Add Documentation", then URL. You can paste in the Diagram URL. Best practice is to use the "Copy Diagram URL" feature in the right panel of the destination diagram. This is simplest with two browser tabs open.

Note: to open the right tab, click the blue "down" arrow to expand the view top right of diagram, and the blue "left pointer" on RHS of screen. This opens the panel where you can click on "Copy diagram URL"

Why connect process diagrams?

When you are creating hierarchical process maps with Elements, those multiple levels of detail can be combined with other process maps, e.g. from different departments. Such maps may capture how your entire department operates or even the entire company. In either case, it is much easier to follow the value chain of your business if you can link how outputs from team A end up being used by team B, and then by other teams onwards. Connectors allow you to document that value chain handovers across many processes. 

How to connect processes using connectors?

You need to be in edit mode on a diagram to be able to add/remove connectors and connector links. You can only create a connector on a flowline that is connected to a process activity. Right-click on a flowline attached to a process activity and select "Add connector" from the context menu. 

A connector is a small circular icon that appears at the end of a flowline. By default, it is blue, but you can customize its colour in themes.

A connector is simultaneously a source and a target of a connector link. It means that you can copy a connector link (the source) and then paste it as a target link on another connector.

TIP When you create a new connector, the system automatically copies its source link.

TIP It matters whether a connector is attached to an output flowline (arrow out) or an input flowline (arrow in). You can only connect from a connector on an output line to a connector on an input line (or vice versa) - not input > input or output > output.

Hints and common issues 

  • It is easiest to connect 2 processes if you have the target and the source open in 2 separate browser tabs

  • You need to ensure your flowlines are actually connected to activity boxes to be able to create connectors

  • We can store 2 connector links simultaneously: one for the connector on the input flowline, and one for the connector on the output flowline. 

  • If you copied a connector link from the input flowline, and then you copy another connector link also from an input flowline, then you will lose the previous link and store the new one. The same applies for output connectors. 

  • You cannot create connector links within the same process diagram (only between process diagrams).

  • You cannot create connector links between processes in 2 different Spaces (but you can connect processes in 2 different maps in the same Space).

  • Drawing an arrow into an activity box ensures it is an input line, and drawing out from an activity box ensures it is an output. Reversing lines may result in issues with the system identifying input/output lines - if in doubt, redraw.

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