That is explained here: http://docs.jboss.com/jbpm/v3/userguide/jpdl.html#processstate.element View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=4166563#4166563 Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&p=4166563