Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
LessMore
Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
When should I pick Sequence diagram patterns?
When the story is: API flows, support escalations, lab protocols, checkout steps.
When should I avoid Sequence diagram patterns?
Skip it in cases like: a simple unordered checklist would tell the same story.
Who invented or popularised it?
UML sequence diagrams; text tools like PlantUML and Mermaid
What does it encode?
lifelines and ordered messages across actors
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
Sequence diagram patterns encodes values as lifelines and ordered messages across actors. UML sequence diagrams; text tools like PlantUML and Mermaid.
In reports, ads and assignments it fits API flows, support escalations, lab protocols, checkout steps. Skip it when a simple unordered checklist would tell the same story.
Software
- PlantUML — Mature text-to-UML including sequence - check GPL duties if you distribute. · GPL-3.0 · github.com/plantuml/plantuml
- Mermaid sequence — Lightweight sequence syntax for docs and GitHub. · MIT · github.com/mermaid-js/mermaid
- nomnoml — UML-ish diagrams from text with a friendly syntax. · MIT · github.com/skanaar/nomnoml
- D2 — Modern declarative diagrams with strong layout. · MPL-2.0 · github.com/terrastruct/d2
- Timeline demo — Ordered-event teaching SVG on this site. · CC0 examples · github.com/Tool-Lifes/viz-atlas
Exports
- Exports 1 — SVG
- Exports 2 — PDF
- Exports 3 — EMF/SVG into slides (no screenshots)
- Exports 4 — SVG for web, PDF for print
Accessibility
- Accessibility 1 — Never hue alone. Stack pattern, label and position.
- Accessibility 2 — 4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for large marks.
- Accessibility 3 — Short alt text on the chart; numbers also as an HTML table.
- Accessibility 4 — Motion only as emphasis. Honour prefers-reduced-motion.
Sequence diagram patterns: honour lifelines and ordered messages across actors, and switch when a simple unordered checklist would tell the same story.