Vague or Redundant Names on Activities and Events

Never use a generic verb like “process” or “handle” as a label for a BPMN task. This single rule prevents 90% of naming confusion in process models. A vague activity name doesn’t just obscure intent—it corrupts the entire model’s ability to communicate business logic. Misleading labels lead to misinterpretation, rework, and automation failures.

Over the past two decades, I’ve reviewed thousands of BPMN diagrams. The most common flaw? A lack of specificity. A task named “Process Request” could be anything from data entry to a full compliance review. It’s not just poor style—it’s a liability. When names are ambiguous, stakeholders interpret them differently. The business says “process” means “review.” IT says it means “submit to database.” That gap isn’t fixed by better tools—it’s fixed by better naming.

This chapter gives you the exact naming principles used by elite process modelers. You’ll learn how to apply verb–object patterns, eliminate redundancy, and use good labels for BPMN events that actually reflect business actions. You’ll know when to stop and reconsider a label. And most importantly, you’ll learn how to spot the subtle warning signs that a label is failing its purpose—before it derails a project.

Why Vague Activity Names Break Trust in BPMN

When a task says “Validate,” who does the validating? What’s being validated? The ambiguity isn’t just annoying—it’s dangerous. If the model is meant to guide automation, the system won’t know what to do. If it’s for stakeholder alignment, someone will assume something different.

Names like “Handle,” “Process,” “Update,” or “Review” are not labels—they are red flags. They’re verbs without objects. They don’t describe what happens. They only suggest what might happen.

Here’s a real-world example: a claims processing diagram used “Review Claim” in three different places. One meant underwriting. One meant compliance. One meant manager approval. Each was a different business activity, but identical labels made the model appear consistent. The consequence? A misaligned automation engine, hours of rework, and a frustrated business team.

The 3-Second Rule for BPMN Labels

Test every label with this rule: Can someone unfamiliar with the process understand its purpose in three seconds or less?

If not, the label fails. Replace it with a more specific, action-oriented phrase that answers:

• What is being done?
• To what is it being done?
• Who is doing it, if relevant?

“Approve Loan Application” passes. “Approve” fails.

Renaming BPMN Tasks for Clarity

Good labels don’t just avoid vagueness—they reveal intent. The best task labels follow a verb–object pattern, where the verb describes an action and the object names the target.

Do: Verb–Object Structure

Use active, specific verbs followed by the object they act upon. This makes the intent unmistakable.

• Do: Send confirmation email to customer
• Do: Verify ID document authenticity
• Do: Update account status to active

These labels are clear, consistent, and machine-readable. They can be extracted into automation scripts without ambiguity.

Don’t: Use Generic Verbs or Redundant Phrases

These labels are common but problematic. They don’t distinguish between activities and offer little value to business or technical teams.

• Don’t: Process request
• Don’t: Handle customer data
• Don’t: Update record

“Handle” and “process” are not verbs of action—they’re placeholders for logic. They don’t tell you what happens. And when the model grows, it becomes impossible to tell where one task ends and another begins.

Case Study: From “Process” to “Submit for Approval”

A financial services team used “Process” as the label for every task in a loan application workflow. When asked what “process” meant, the answer changed per stakeholder. The model was deemed “too vague” during a compliance review.

We replaced all generic verbs with specific action–object pairs:

Before	After
Process application	Collect applicant documentation
Process credit check	Run creditworthiness assessment
Process approval	Submit application for manager review

The difference? The new labels made the process visible. Stakeholders could now see the logic. Automators could map each step. The model became a shared source of truth.

Good Labels for BPMN Events: Clarity Starts at the Beginning

Events are the anchors of a BPMN process. If a start event is labeled “Start,” no one knows what triggers it. A task labeled “Submit” doesn’t tell you why the event should happen.

Good labels for BPMN events must answer: What triggers the process? What ends it? What interrupts it?

Start Events: What Triggers the Process?

• Do: Customer submits online application
• Do: Monthly payroll cutoff at midnight
• Do: New service request received via portal

These labels specify a clear, external trigger. They’re not abstract.

End Events: What Marks Completion?

• Do: Loan approved and funds disbursed
• Do: Customer confirmation sent and acknowledged
• Do: Case closed and archived

End events should describe the final state, not the action. “Close case” is a verb. “Case closed” is a state. Use states for end events.

Boundary Events: What Interrupts the Process?

Boundary events must describe the exception or interrupting condition.

• Do: Customer cancels application (cancel event)
• Do: Document not found (error event)
• Do: 48-hour timeout (timer event)

These labels don’t say “do something.” They say: “This happens and stops the process.” That clarity prevents misinterpretation during execution.

Practical Guidelines for BPMN Naming

Here’s my checklist for writing effective BPMN labels:

1. Use active verbs. Avoid passive forms like “is updated” or “was processed.” Use “Update,” “Submit,” “Confirm.”
2. Include the object. “Review” is vague. “Review loan application” is clear.
3. Avoid system jargon. Don’t use “Save,” “Submit,” or “Process” unless the action is truly generic and well-understood.
4. Be consistent across the model. If you use “send” in one task, don’t use “send email” in another. Pick one pattern.
5. Test with non-modelers. Ask a business user to review the model. If they hesitate, the label needs work.

When in doubt, ask: “Would someone from another team understand this without explanation?” If not, rename it.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Naming Tasks After System Buttons

“Click Submit,” “Press Save,” “Select Approve.” These are UI actions, not business events. They describe how, not what.

Solution: Reframe every button label into a business action. “Click Submit” becomes “Submit application for review.” The system may still say “Submit,” but the model must reflect the business intent.

Mistake 2: Repeating the Same Label for Different Actions

Two tasks both labeled “Process” in different contexts mean different things. This creates confusion when modeling, reviewing, or automating.

Solution: Assign every task a unique, specific label. If two tasks are similar, use the object to differentiate them: “Process credit application” vs. “Process insurance claim.”

Mistake 3: Overusing “Review” as a Label

“Review application,” “Review documents,” “Review approval” all sound similar. But they’re different activities with different owners and criteria.

Solution: Use more specific verbs: “Verify,” “Assess,” “Evaluate,” “Audit.” If you must use “Review,” add the object: “Review for completeness,” “Review underwriting criteria.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a BPMN task label is too vague?

If a label uses only a generic verb (e.g., “Process,” “Handle,” “Update”) without specifying the object, it’s too vague. Test it by asking: “What exactly happens here?” If you can’t answer clearly in under 10 seconds, rename it.

Can I use “Submit” in a BPMN label?

Yes, but only if it refers to a business action—not a system button. “Submit application” is acceptable. “Click Submit” is not. Use business verbs that reflect intent.

Should I include the responsible role in the task label?

Not in the label itself. Roles belong in lanes or swimlanes. The label should describe the action. Adding “by Finance” to “Verify documents” creates redundancy and limits reuse. Keep labels focused on action.

How do I name a task that involves multiple steps?

Use the most significant action. If a task involves data entry, verification, and approval, break it into three separate tasks. Do not combine. If it must be one step, use the highest-level action: “Initiate loan application review.” But prefer splitting.

Are abbreviations allowed in BPMN labels?

Avoid them unless they’re standard industry terms (like “KYC” for Know Your Customer). Otherwise, spell out acronyms on first use. “Verify KYC documents” is clear. “Verify KYC” is not.

What should I do if two tasks have similar names?

Use the object to differentiate them. “Process application” and “Process appeal” are fine. If they’re in the same flow, add context: “Process application – credit” vs. “Process appeal – dispute.”