jBPM Workflow Tutorial: ➕ Parallel Gateway (AND)

 🚀 Introduction

The ➕ Parallel Gateway (AND) in jBPM is used to split a process into multiple branches that run at the same time, and to synchronize branches back together.
Unlike ❌ Exclusive (XOR) or 🟢 Inclusive (OR), the Parallel Gateway does not evaluate conditions — it always executes all outgoing paths in parallel.

This is useful for workflows where multiple tasks must happen together, such as sending notifications, logging events, and running approvals simultaneously.

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🛠️ Prerequisites

• 💻 jBPM/Business Central & KIE Server installed

• ☕ JDK 11+ (JDK 17 also works)

• 👨‍💼 Roles with access to tasks (e.g., manager, analyst)

• 🌐 Access: http://localhost:8080/business-central

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📝 Step 1: Create a New Process

1. 🔑 Log in to Business Central

2. 📂 Create a project: parallel-gateway-demo

3. ➕ Add Business Process: ParallelProcess

   • Id: com.example.parallel

   • Package: com.example

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🎨 Step 2: Design the Workflow

1. 🔵 Add a Start node

2. ➕ Add a Parallel Gateway (Split)

3. 📧 Add an Email Task (Send Notification)

4. 📊 Add a Report Task (Generate Report)

5. 👤 Add a Human Task (Manager Approval)

6. ➕ Add a Parallel Gateway (Join)

7. ✅ Add an End node

🔗 Connect them:
Start → ➕ Split → (📧 Email, 📊 Report, 👤 Human Task) → ➕ Join → ✅ End

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⚙️ Step 3: Behavior of Parallel Gateway

• At the Split Gateway, all outgoing paths fire together

• At the Join Gateway, process waits until all incoming paths are complete before moving forward

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🔨 Step 4: Build and Deploy

1. 💾 Save the process

2. 🛠️ Build & Install

3. 📦 Deploy to KIE Server

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▶️ Step 5: Run the Process

1. Go to Manage → Process Definitions

2. ▶️ Start a new instance of ParallelProcess

3. All three tasks (📧 Email, 📊 Report, 👤 Human Task) will be active at the same time

4. Once all tasks complete → flow continues to the End node

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📌 Step 6: Example Use Cases

• 📧 Notify customers while 📊 generating reports

• 👤 Approvals while sending system alerts

• Multi-team collaboration where tasks run in parallel

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👉 Watch jBPM Workflow Tutorial: ➕ Parallel Gateway (AND) in Action better:

Here's a quick video to help you understand jBPM Workflow Tutorial: ➕ Parallel Gateway (AND)  in Action better: 

jBPM Gateways Tutorial in Hindi | Exclusive, Inclusive & Parallel Explained

👉 Source code: https://github.com/LearnITWithShikha/GatewayExamples

🛠️ Troubleshooting

• ❌ Process stuck at Join? → Ensure all parallel paths complete

• ⚠️ One branch skipped? → Check connections; Parallel Gateways do not use conditions

• 🔄 Overlapping roles? → Assign proper actors to Human Tasks

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🎯 Conclusion

The ➕ Parallel Gateway (AND) is essential for workflows requiring parallel execution and synchronization.

It ensures that:

• ➕ All branches run together at split

• ⏸️ The process waits until all are done at join

By mastering Parallel Gateways, you can build real-world business processes that handle simultaneous actions — such as approvals, notifications, and system tasks — in an efficient and synchronized way.

💼 Professional Support Available

If you are facing issues in real projects related to enterprise backend development or workflow automation, I provide paid consulting, production debugging, project support, and focused trainings.

Technologies covered include Java, Spring Boot, PL/SQL, Azure, and workflow automation (jBPM, Camunda BPM, RHPAM).

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