How to apply gateways?

Use gateways as decision points in your flows. If you add a gateway, in most cases, you must also add a second gateway of the same type. According to BPM standards, usually, both an opening gateway and a closing gateway are required. As a result, usually, a flow has an even number of gateways. See the previous and next flow pictures for examples of the use of gateways.
Inclusive and parallel gateways
If you use an inclusive or parallel gateway and you have four or more choices/connectors, consider to align the related elements horizontally instead of vertically. This can, for example, apply to parameter and other setup related flows. In the next pictures you see an example of a parallel gateway with sub-processes and activities.

Gateway and Connector texts
Each ‘exclusive’ opening gateway must have a text, usually a question. Usually, ‘inclusive’ and ‘parallel’ gateways don’t need text. It can however be required to have some information/question for these gateways, but only do so if it really adds information.
Each connector that starts at an ‘exclusive’ opening gateway must have a text, usually an answer to the question on the gateway. Connectors that start at an’inclusive’ or ‘paralellel’ gateway can have a text, but is often not required. Connectors that end a closing gateway don’t need a text.