In business process modeling notation (BPMN) - a gateway is a point that can adjust the path of a process. There are three things this can mean for the process: It branches out into two or more mutually exclusive flows - OR - It branches out into two or more sub-processes that happen concurrently. - OR - It can’t proceed until certain conditions are met. Whatever the gateway represents - it’s a turning point in the process that “directs the traffic” or helps you understand dependencies.