---
title: "PM Blocks Best Practices"
slug: "pm-blocks-best-practices"
updated: 2026-06-03T17:58:00Z
published: 2026-06-03T17:58:00Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/pm-blocks-best-practices"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PM Blocks Best Practices

Follow these guidelines and best practices when building PM Blocks.

## Guidelines to Build PM Blocks

Follow these guidelines when building [PM Blocks](/v1/docs/pm-blocks).

### Specify the PM Block's Label as a Process Model Object

When [building the configuration settings for a PM Block](/v1/docs/configure-a-pm-block#build-the-configuration-settings-for-a-pm-block), in the **Name** setting, specify the label for that PM Block when it is placed into a Process model. This label is different than the name of the PM Block as it displays on the **PM Blocks** page.

### Every PM Block Must Have One Start-Type Event

Every PM Block must have one of the following Start-type events in its Process model:

- [Start Event](/v1/docs/start-event)
- [Start Timer Event](/v1/docs/start-timer-event)
- [Signal Start Event](/v1/docs/signal-start-event)
- [Message Start Event](/v1/docs/message-start-event)
- [Conditional Start Event](/v1/docs/conditional-start-event)

When [building the configuration settings for a PM Block](/v1/docs/configure-a-pm-block#build-the-configuration-settings-for-a-pm-block), in the **Start Event Drop Down** setting, select the Start-type event that triggers that PM Block. Without this setting configured, the PM Block never triggers regardless of the conditions in that Request. Therefore, this is a required configuration.

> Only one Start-type event may be used in the Process model for a PM Block.

### Avoid Using Web Entry as a Start Event in PM Blocks

Do not use a Web Entry as the start event in a PM Block. PM Blocks are implemented as BPMN Call Activities, and by BPMN specification, Call Activities cannot be initiated with a Web Entry event. Attempting to configure a PM Block this way will result in errors or unexpected behavior during execution.

Instead, use a supported start event (simple Start, Timer, or Message) to ensure compatibility when the PM Block is invoked within a parent process.

### Add an Icon to Make the PM Block Easily Recognizable

As a PM Block author, add an icon when [specifying general configuration settings for your PM Block](/v1/docs/configure-a-pm-block#specify-general-configuration-settings-for-a-pm-block) for the following reasons:

- Make your PM Block easily recognizable for designers to use.
- Make your PM Block distinctive from other PM Blocks in the **PM Blocks** tab of the Explorer panel.