UML Communication Diagram Template

About the UML Communication Diagram Template

Easily create a big-picture snapshot of a system’s object interactions using Miro’s UML communication diagram template. With pre-made symbols from our extensive UML shape pack, text boxes, and connection lines, the template is fully customizable — which means all you have to do is edit it and make it your own.

You’ll also have access to our powerful visual workspace, allowing you to easily expand on the template using our automated diagramming tools, seamlessly collaborate online, and choose from multiple ways to share or present your work.

We’ll walk you through how to make the most of our UML communication diagram template.

How to use the UML communication diagram template

To get started, click the blue “Use template” button to open the UML communication diagram template in Miro. Then, invite anyone you’d like to collaborate with to edit your board. Once you’re ready, follow the steps below to start filling out the communication diagram template:

1. Decide on functions

Creating a communication diagram is about getting a holistic snapshot of a feature or a whole product. Start by deciding what you want to model and your goals for filling out the communication diagram template.

2. Visualize objects

The communication diagram template comes with pre-made shapes you can use to represent the objects in the function you’ve chosen. Double-click on any of them to edit the text and label your objects.

Need more shapes? Instantly duplicate them using our automated diagramming tools. Click on any of the pre-made shapes to reveal blue dots on each side, then click on any dot to generate a new connection line from that point with a matching shape on the other end — saving you time from having to create new shapes and connect them yourself.

3. Connect related objects

Speaking of connections, let’s link the objects up. Use the template’s pre-made connection lines to link objects that communicate with one another. To rearrange a connection line’s direction, click on it to reveal white dots on each end, which you can click and drag. Use the blue dot in the middle of the line to adjust its curve.

4. Label the arrows

Remember, UML communication diagrams are all about providing a big-picture snapshot of a software’s interactions. And with multi-sequence processes, we’ll need to label the order these communications happen in by customizing the text boxes along the arrows.

You don’t have to get as detailed as you would in a sequence diagram, but you should add any information necessary to grasp the overall function.

5. Customize the template

Customize the communication diagram template by changing shape colors and sizes or editing font types. You can even customize connection lines by clicking on them to reveal the pop-up menu and then adjusting their line end or line type.

Share important context by grabbing sticky notes or cards from the toolbar, add stickers to enhance your Miro board, or drag and drop your own files and images for a personal touch.

Want to try building your communication diagram from scratch? Discover what our intuitive UML diagram tool can do for your team.

Example of an effective communication diagram

Let’s run through an example of how you could fill out the communication diagram template. Imagine you’re building an app where users can purchase plane tickets.

First, define all your objects. The list might include:

• Landing page

• Login window

• User profile

• Search interface

• Search results page

• Purchasing window

• Purchase confirmation

• Email confirmation

Select shapes for each object and lay them out in the communication diagram template. Next, connect the objects that work directly with each other: the login window and profile, the search feature and results, the purchase flow, and so on.

When one object communicates with another, add an arrow. For example, the search interface and search results work in a loop, so each should have an arrow pointing at the other.

Finally, look for multi-step sequences and add numbers to define how they work. The purchasing and payment flow is a common multi-step process.