The fragment comes with two sections, which let you show the alternative interaction. Use the Alternative fragment shape for an if-then or if-then-else process or interaction. Use the Optional fragment for steps that are only performed if a certain condition is met.

Use the Loop fragment for a basic repeating interaction. If one or more interactions form a loop, or require a condition to be met to end the interaction, enclose those interactions in a fragment shape: To change the shape of a connector message:Īt the bottom of the pop-up menu, select from the three options ( Right-Angle, Straight, Curved).Ĭlick and drag the connector to change its shape. Use the Asynchronous Message shape to show when an action might not happen immediately. Use a Self Message to represent a recursive call of an operation, or one method calling another method belonging to the same object. Use a Return Message shape (a dashed line) to represent a response to a prior message. Use a Message shape (a solid line) to represent a request or the transmitting of information. The connections points disappear when you are done dragging.Īttach the beginning endpoint to the lifeline sending the message, then drag the head endpoint to the lifeline receiving the message.ĭouble-click the message shape to create a text box, and type a name for the message. A green circle appears at the endpoint when it glues to a connection point. Visio helps you glue the message endpoints to each lifeline. Use an Actor lifeline shape for each participant, and an Object lifeline shape for each system component in your process. To rename text labels, double-click the labels. Now, drag shapes you want to include in your diagram from the Shapes window to the page. This option makes connection points appear when you start connecting shapes. On the View tab, make sure the check box next to Connection Points is selected. If you still don’t see it, click the Expand the Shapes window button on the left. If you don’t see it, go to View > Task Panes and make sure that Shapes is selected. You should see the Shapes window next to the diagram. (A description of each one is shown on the right when you select it.) Then select either Metric Units or US Units. In the dialog box, select the blank template or one of the three starter diagrams.

Or if you have a file open already, click File > New. Drag shapes from the stencil onto the drawing canvas to build the diagram. Lifelines may begin with a labeled rectangle shape or an actor symbol.To build a sequence diagram, use a UML Sequence template or starter diagram, which includes the UML Sequence stencil. A dashed line, known as a lifeline, represents events in an SSD. Within a SSD, this shape models the system as a black box (a system with inner workings that are not immediately visible).Īctors - shown by stick figures, actors are entities that interact with the system, and yet are external to it.Įvents - the system events that the actors generate in the sequence. Objects - this box shape with an underlined title represents a class, or object, in UML. Most elements we cover in use case diagrams remain in use throughout a system sequence diagram, including: Use case diagrams are simply another diagram type which represents a user's interaction with the system. Standard sequence diagrams show the progression of events over a certain amount of time, while system sequence diagrams go a step further and present sequences for specific use cases. This language provides a toolkit for diagram creators to make and read diagrams that are comprehensible regardless of location or industry. System sequence diagrams, also known as SSD, are actually a sub-type of sequence diagrams, whose style and notation is dictated by the Unified Modeling Language.

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