Hi,
To be clear, an exclusive gateway means only one path is followed.
So, the divergent gateway (or split point) can have several outgoing paths but the conditions associated with them MUST guarantee that ONE path CAN be followed.
The convergent gateway (the join point) MUST unite all the divergent paths again.
If you CANNOT guarantee that only one path is chosen, you MUST use an inclusive gateway (or other).
In BPMN there is no such thing as an “XOR” gateway: it is either exclusive (empty diamond shape or with an “X” inside), inclusive (diamond with an “O” inside) or parallel (an “+” inside).
The standard defines four more gateway types, which are a little harder to explain and not implemented in many platforms.
Some links to delve further:
- BPMN Gateways - How to Use Them? - Edraw
- The Usage of BPMN Gateways - Visual Paradigm Know-how
- Types of Gateway in BPMN
- Gateways | docs.camunda.org
Best regards,