Step Flows Between Nodes
Add step-by-step process flows to your architecture map edges. Use process and decision nodes to describe the logic that moves data between systems.
Architecture map edges can carry step flows that describe the processing logic between two nodes. A step flow is a small embedded flowchart that sits on an edge, showing the sequence of operations, transformations, or decisions that occur as data moves from one system to another.
When to Use Step Flows
Step flows are useful when a simple edge label is not enough to convey what happens between two nodes. Common scenarios include:
ETL Pipelines
Show the extract, transform, and load steps between a source system and a data store
Validation Chains
Describe the sequence of checks data passes through before being accepted
Conditional Routing
Use decision nodes to show where data is sent based on conditions
Multi-Step Transformations
Document each transformation stage in a data processing pipeline
Adding a Step Flow
Node Types in Step Flows
| Node Type | Shape | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Rectangle | A single operation, transformation, or action |
| Decision | Diamond | A branching point based on a condition |
Edge Configuration
Edges within a step flow support the following properties: