Identifying Events and Triggers That Matter

Start every EPC model by asking: does this event truly trigger a change? I’ve seen teams waste hours on diagrams where the event isn’t an actual business trigger. That’s why EPC event identification is the first, non-negotiable step in building reliable process models.

Over two decades of modeling across finance, logistics, and health tech taught me this: events aren’t just actions. They’re changes in state—something that happens and signals that a process must begin or end. The wrong event leads to unclear flows, endless loops, or processes that don’t reflect real operations.

By the end of this chapter, you’ll know how to filter out noise, spot real triggers, and align every event with business logic. You’ll avoid common mistakes—like mistaking an action for a trigger—and instead build models that teams can trust and use for automation, optimization, or compliance.

What Makes a Valid EPC Trigger?

Not every action is a valid business trigger. In EPC, a trigger must be a change in state—something that happens, not a task performed.

Consider this: “Customer places order” is a valid trigger. But “Sales rep enters order” is not—it’s a function, not an event.

Events are always written in past tense, passive voice, or as a change in state. They answer the question: What changed?

Common Misinterpretations and How to Fix Them

Here are the most frequent missteps I’ve observed, along with corrections:

• Mistake: “Invoice generated” — This may seem like a trigger, but generating is an action. The real trigger is “Invoice approved by finance”.
• Mistake: “Payment received” — This is often treated as a trigger, but it’s the confirmation of payment that matters. Use “Payment cleared in bank” instead.
• Mistake: “Employee submits timesheet” — This is a function. The trigger is “Timesheet submission deadline passed”.

When in doubt, reframe the event in terms of state change: What was different before and after? If it’s not a shift in status, it’s not an event.

How to Identify Start and End Events

Every process starts with a trigger and ends with a measurable outcome. The first and last events in an EPC are critical—often overlooked, but the foundation of correctness.

Process Start Events: The Real Beginning

Start events must be external to the process. They are initiated by external actors or systems.

Examples:

• “Customer places order”
• “System detects expired contract”
• “Regulatory deadline arrives”

Do not use internal actions like “Begin processing order” as a start event. That’s a function.

Process End Events: The Final State

End events represent the completion of a business goal. They signal a successful outcome.

Examples:

• “Order delivered to customer”
• “Employee onboarding completed”
• “Contract renewed”

Avoid using “Process ends” or “Workflow complete”—these are vague. End events must reflect a business outcome.

Decision-Making Framework for EPC Event Selection

Use this simple flow to evaluate whether an element is a trigger worth modeling.

1. Is it an external occurrence? If not, it’s likely a function.
2. Does it signal a change in state? If not, it’s a task, not an event.
3. Can it be measured or observed? Events must be verifiable.
4. Does it initiate a logical response? If no, it’s noise.

Apply this framework to any event candidate. If it fails one check, reconsider the label.

Quick Checklist: Valid EPC Trigger?

Criteria	Yes	No
Change in business state?	✓	✗
External to the process?	✓	✗
Verifiable (observable, measurable)?	✓	✗
Not a function or action?	✓	✗

Real-World Examples: What Works, What Doesn’t

Let’s walk through two real-world scenarios from my consulting work.

Example 1: Customer Order Fulfillment

Original (incorrect):

• “Sales team approves order”
• “Warehouse picks items”
• “Shipping sends invoice”

Revised (correct EPC event identification):

• “Customer places order” (valid trigger)
• “Order payment confirmed” (valid trigger)
• “Shipment dispatched” (valid trigger)
• “Order delivered to customer” (valid end event)

Notice: “Sales team approves” is a function. “Payment confirmed” is the event.

Example 2: Employee Onboarding

Original (incorrect):

• “HR sends welcome email”
• “New hire signs documents”
• “Access granted to systems”

Revised (correct):

• “Employee accepted offer” (valid trigger)
• “Offer acceptance confirmed” (valid trigger)
• “Onboarding checklist completed” (valid end event)

“HR sends email” is a function. The real trigger is acceptance—confirmed by the employee.

Common Pitfalls in Event Selection EPC

Even experienced modelers get tripped up. Here are the top three I see:

1. Mixing functions and events: Using “Submit application” as an event instead of “Application submission deadline passed.”
2. Overloading events: Creating events like “System checks login” or “User logs in” — these are not business-level triggers. The real event is “User authenticated.”
3. Missing external triggers: Starting a process with internal activity like “Begin processing” — this breaks the logic of EPC.

Always ask: Who or what caused this change? If it’s a user action or system task, it’s not the event.

Best Practices for EPC Modeling

Here’s what I’ve found consistently improves clarity and accuracy:

• Use passive voice: “Order approved” instead of “Someone approves order.”
• Be specific: “Invoice paid by customer” is better than “Payment received.”
• Use the same tense: All events should be past tense or present passive.
• Avoid vague verbs: “Process starts” → “First task begins” is not valid. Use “Deadline passed” or “Approval received.”

Consistency matters. A team that uses “Order delivered” and “Payment confirmed” will build more reliable diagrams than one that mixes “Order shipped” and “Payment received.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a business trigger and a function in EPC?

A business trigger is a change in state that signals a process must begin or end. It’s external and observable. A function is an action performed—like “Create invoice” or “Approve order.” Functions are always between events.

Can a process start with an internal event?

No. All EPC start events must be external. Internal actions are functions. If you’re starting a process with “Begin processing,” it’s not a valid EPC model. The trigger must be something that happens outside the process flow.

How do I know if an event is a start or end event?

Start events occur first and are initiated externally—like “Customer orders.” End events represent the completion of a business goal—like “Delivery confirmed.” Use the context: if it answers “What begins the process?” it’s a start. If it answers “What completes the goal?” it’s an end.

Why is EPC event identification so important for process automation?

Automation tools rely on triggers to start workflows. If the trigger is mislabeled, the automation fails. Accurate EPC event identification ensures that the right business event activates the right system action, avoiding false starts or missed processes.

Can multiple events trigger the same process?

Yes—but only if they represent different states. For example, “Customer places order” and “Customer places urgent order” can both trigger the same process, but only if they lead to different logic. If they’re the same, use one event and add conditions.

How often should I review events in my EPC model?

Review every event during peer validation. After modeling, run the decision tree: “Is this really a state change?” If yes, keep it. If no, reclassify it as a function. I recommend reviewing all events before finalizing any EPC model.