UML Activity Diagram. Design Elements
UML Activity Diagram is a type of Behavior Diagrams that graphically describes decomposition of the some activity on the components.
Activity Diagrams are used in modeling of business processes, technological processes, sequential and parallel computations.
UML Activity Diagram allows to show the sequence, branching and synchronization of processes.
To design UML Activity Diagrams use the following shape types:
- rounded rectangles to describe the actions;
- diamonds to describe decisions;
- bars to represent the start or end of the activities that occur at the same time;
- black circle to indicate the start of the workflow;
- encircled black circle to indicate the end of the workflow;
- arrows to represent the order in which activities happen.
Activity Diagrams were a specialized form of the State Diagrams in UML 1.x. In UML 2.x, the Activity Diagrams were reformed and now are based on Petri net-like semantics that allows to model a lot more situations.
The Rapid UML Solution for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM contains 13 vector stencils libraries with 393 interactive shapes that you can use to design your UML diagrams.
To design an Activity Diagram use the UML Activity Diagram library.
UML Activity Diagram library contains 37 shapes:
- Object
- Data store
- Central buffer
- Expansion region
- Control flow (direct)
- Control flow (smart)
- Object flow (direct)
- Object flow (smart)
- Divider
- Decision/Merge
- Time event action
- Send signal node
- Receive signal node
- Expansion node
- Pin
- Vertical fork/join
- Horizontal fork/join
- Vertical swimlane
- Horizontal swimlane
- Connector
- Initial node
- Final node
- Flow final
- Control flow
- Condition
- Symbol { }
- Symbol << >>
- Subactivity state
- Call behavior
- Frame, fragment
- Note
- Action
- Swimlanes (vertical)
- Swimlanes (horizontal)
- UML connector (direct)
- UML connector
- Note connector

Pic.1. UML Activity Diagram Library

Pic.2. UML Activity Diagram Library Elements
ConceptDraw Rapid UML solution provides UML Activity Diagram library of vector stencils for activity diagram design elements like rounded rectangles of activities, diamonds of decisions, bars of the start (split) or end (join) of concurrent activities, black circle of the start (initial state) of the workflow, encircled black circle of the end (final state), etc.
Use UML Activity Diagram library to draw your own activity diagrams that show the business and operational stepwise workflows of components in your system.
All libraries for creating UML diagrams are available inside the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM Templates and samples are located in the Rapid UML section of ConceptDraw STORE.
TEN RELATED HOW TO's:
Integration Definition →
Creation of various types of Integration DEFinition (IDEF) diagrams - IDEF0, IDEF1X, IDEF2, IDEF3 and many other is a sufficiently complex process that requires powerful automated tools. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software offers you such tool - IDEF Business Process Diagrams solution from the Business Processes area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
UML Class Diagram Generalization ExampleUML Diagrams →
This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the UML Class Diagram library of the Rapid UML Solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This sample describes the use of the classes, the generalization associations between them, the multiplicity of associations and constraints. Provided UML diagram is one of the examples set that are part of Rapid UML solution.
UML Class Diagram Example - Medical Shop →
State Diagram UML of Online Store. This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the UML Class Diagram library of the Rapid UML Solution from the Software Development area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This sample shows the work of the medical shop and is used at the creation of the medical shop or pharmacy project, for understanding the process of shopping in the medical shop, for keeping purchases, for medical supplies.
How to Draw Workflow Diagram →
To draw workflow diagram you should find a perfect software first. We recommend using ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software contains all features you may need to draw diagrams faster. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software extended with the Workflow Diagrams solution gives you everything you need to draw workflow diagram.
ConceptDraw DIAGRAM : Able to Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound →
ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is the world’s premier cross-platform business-diagramming tool. Many, who are looking for an alternative to Visio, are pleasantly surprised with how well they can integrate ConceptDraw DIAGRAM into their existing processes. With tens of thousands of template objects, and an easy method for importing vital custom objects from existing Visio documents, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a powerful tool for making extremely detailed diagrams, quickly and easily.
Industrial transport - Design elements →
The vector stencils library Industrial transport contains clipart of industrial vehicles for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software. Use it to draw illustrations of industrial vehicles, transportation, lifting and moving materials using machines.
Types of Flowchart - Overview →
A flowchart is a powerful tool for examining processes. It helps improving processes a lot, as it becomes much easier to communicate between involved people, to identify potential problems and to optimize workflow. There are flowcharts of different shapes, sizes and types of flowchart vary from quite basic process flowcharts to complex program flowcharts. Nevertheless, all these diagrams use the same set of special symbols like arrows to connect blocks, parallelogram to show data receiving or rectangles for showing process steps. Basic flowcharts are used to represent a simple process algorithm. A basic flowchart notation consists of rectangles (business processes), arrows (the flow of information, documents, etc.). The same notation is used in items such as the "decision", which allow you to do the branching. To indicate the start of the entire business process and its termination can be used the "Terminator" element. The advantages of Basic Flowchart are simplicity and clarity. With it you can quickly describe the business process steps. Creating of Basic Flowchart does not require any special knowledge, as easily understand by employees with different levels of education and IQ.
Misunderstanding Product Purpose →
This action mindmap helps respond to critical messages from a customer's misunderstanding of a product or service purpose. The example contains ready to use response phrases organized into mindmap for quick composing and tweeting/posting of the response messages.