How to Make a UML Sequence Diagram

In this step-by-step tutorial, we'll show you how to make a UML sequence diagram using Lucidchart. Sequence diagrams are a type of Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagram that shows interactions over time. They can map out complex architecture, but they can also be surprisingly easy to create.
We'll be diagramming the interaction that happens when you go to withdraw cash at an ATM. There are five main elements that make up a sequence diagram: actors, objects, lifelines, messages, and activation boxes. We'll explain each of these items as we build our diagram example.
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[@thecrow9026]

1.5 hour lecture in 8 minutes in my cosy cosy bed next to my lovely pillow. Thank you madam!!!!!!!

[@lawanrajapaksha]

so true bro

[@pranavmankar1964]

Same here

[@fierceharpy4636]

wtf; r u talkin about me??

[@andreasantillan]

hahaha XD yes, the same

[@majdm6154]

when you have hash as a teacher, you will experience the reality of suffring

[@FrederikHoeimark]

Tutorials like these makes me wonder why I am even attending to lectures...

[@Rihana3x]

Frederik Høimark can you help me in drawing sequence diagram 😩😢?

[@mosu95]

same feeling bro... same feeling....

[@ravaicakacaka7295]

What about online classes?

[@mosu95]

@@ravaicakacaka7295 exactly that

[@mamdouhwaleed9514]

@@ravaicakacaka7295 I had an online class that ended lik 20 minutes ago, the lecturer breezed through 200 slides in less than 3 hours, he didn't even explain things properly, instead he just breezed through them. He literally gave content that needs to be studied in months.

[@chrisvasqm]

Wonderful tutorial! I found it really hard to understand during a class but now everything is clear. Thanks for making these videos!

[@lucid_software]

No problem! Thanks so much for watching!

[@bullymaguire2335]

bro i cant believe u go to school. u look like a senior dev

[@ilikecats45648]

These Lucidchart explanations for the different Diagramms are the best. We had this stuff several days during my retraining and i hardly understood anything and just did what everyone else did. These videos are so easy to understand and do a great job on explaining what all these different elements are and when u use them.

[@Unbrokenism]

These guides are simply amazing, everything is so clear and straight forward that you make it seem very easy

[@faheem92mt]

Seriously, if this isn't better than attending some lousy classes at the college then I don't know what is.

[@FatmaYousuf]

ayeeee look who i just found lmao

[@alucardhellsing4366]

هلا بالعرب هههههه

[@pedromartinsmoreiraneto4789]

agreed

[@KageHaven]

I was just in a two-hour class on Friday and did not get shit but watching this 8 mins video from my bed and it is like my eyes are open.

[@youtubeaccount9626]

So true

[@VictorChrispinSamson]

Thank you very much, so concise. You just save me 120 slides worth a lecture in just 10 min. Thank you.

[@lucid_software]

No problem Victor! Thanks for watching!

[@trendsetter6787]

Same Vic I had to go through 120 slides as well prepared by my instructor, grasped nothing at all. This video was a life saver because I was able to make a proper diagram in my exam today.

[@VilmanteKirvelaite]

Best advertising content ever. Would say that nothing drives quality standards as sales/profit but then I realise just how much universities are charging and go back to the corner to cry myself to sleep. 10/10

[@tobilliontv7276]

This saved my ass, I have an exam tomorrow so this really helped me

[@Chaotic-po8oj]

Bro this video literally made this concept so easy to understand. This video was a lifesaver

[@ParaPam-e5y]

Thank you! Only 9 minutes and now I can create a sequence diagram!

[@solidname9085]

if i have teachers like this, i can become scientist .

[@L4cH4nC3]

Not if you type like that.

[@cheaterbeater0477]

@@L4cH4nC3 it's called spelling not typing...

[@L4cH4nC3]

@@cheaterbeater0477 It's both. What a pointless comment.

[@cheaterbeater0477]

@@L4cH4nC3 TBH this whole conversation is pointless, I was just bored

[@koriander.k7377]

@@L4cH4nC3 you're a pointless existence.

[@AjayPrashar]

A very clear and concise tutorial using the same tool (Lucid) that I use. I actually watch this tutorial before I make UML Sequence Diagrams so that I spend less time making them, ensure I am using the objects correctly, and in efforts to avoid technical embarrassment.

[@samaradryburgh]

This was so helpful! I passed my assignment thanks to the clear explanation in this video!!

[@sia_ibk]

This is probably the best tutorial video I have ever watched. So logical from start to end. Didn't have to scrub back that much. 🙌✔

[@allencymba6207]

im not going to read this again because you directly put information in my mind and i wont forget it. thank you very much, you make it simple and easy for me.

[@WasifAnton]

Got an exam tomorrow, thank you for the explanation

[@lucid_software]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!!

[@ren9143]

After a year, now I am the one who has exam tomorrow lol

[@WasifAnton]

@@ren9143 Good luck

[@ren9143]

@@WasifAnton haha, just finished the exam 20 minutes ago

[@bedrrebd4700]

lmao am having an exam tomorrow

[@Conetelandia]

I don't speak English very well, but this is one of the few videos that I understand perfectly without getting tired and at the same time, I have learned more about Sequence Diagrams in this video than in an hour of boring class, nothing more to say than: Excelent Video!!

[@1tan_freed0m]

Everything is so clear and straight forward that I got a whole lab session of work done in 10 min 😀

[@thatbloomer5642]

took weeks for my professor to explain this.. it took less than 10 mins to make it clear for me, thanks to this video. keep up the good work, you're doing this community a great favor.

[@shadrachonaemo]

Awesome. I love it when real life examples are used to explain concepts like this. Thank you.

[@lucid_software]

You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching!

[@MH-jf9mq]

Literally saving my semester with these tutorials ❤️

[@beki4522]

i love you, what a legend you are a 8 min video explaining what my lecture did in 2 lessons of 4 hour

[@Divine_QVerses]

I bet no one can explain better than this , stunning video

[@susie6311]

Sequence diagrams looked so complicated when I first saw them but they finally make sense! Thankyou so much!!

[@tanmayvij7191]

I have an exam that starts in 56 minutes, and I am so lucky to have found your video! Extremely helpful! Thank you :)

[@yosyp5905]

did you pass it? :)

[@tanmayvij7191]

@@yosyp5905 yes I did :)

[@rvaisakh10]

@@tanmayvij7191 vij subject was it heheheheee

[@brynmrsh]

You should probably start studying a little earlier...

[@tanmayvij7191]

@@rvaisakh10 Software Architecture and Design

[@juneleven]

I bet this is the best video to teach in 8 minutes all about the sequence diagram crisp.

[@hitakshipatel7547]

You have made it so simple.... The video was excellent I just understood it in 8 min Keep it up..great job

[@lucid_software]

So glad you liked the tutorial!!

[@ojastelwane1790]

Thank You maam, you have explain all the major concepts of Sequence diagram in 8 mins. Concise and To the Point best video on Sequence diagram so far. 🙌

[@oxi1492]

No ones gonna talk about how good and clean the diagram is?😩

[@pookiepats]

Why do people do this? Just state your thoughts, why are you expressing yourself through lamenting that your thought is unique? Ghh it just irks me, y’all are so passive! The world needs you to speak up with confidence

[@oxi1492]

@@pookiepats im just gonna ignore your comment 🙂

[@HAMZABOUGUENDOU-q3p]

Question of the year ​@@pookiepats

[@Vlame]

Why didn't I come up earlier so search for UML diagrams on youtube???? You saved me hours reading lecture presentations. Thanks!

[@krishnaswamychimakurthi7371]

Simple, short, sweet and meaningful. Thanks.

[@patrickbyamasu1353]

Wonderful tutorial, I could not stop myself from commenting. This could have been 2hours lecture where the lecturer could start speaking without stopping just to demonstrate the concept that you have just demonstrated in 8min. I can't leave this video without giving it a thumb up

[@deepavirkar6656]

Best explanation ever. Wish I had these kind of teachers in the college

[@hubbeislam9263]

Thank you so much, I was searching all over for this, even watched a few videos, but wasn't satisfied... And after watching yours...everything is clear.

[@javedsmith4015]

This was amaaaaazing! Very nicely covered! I could not grasp this concept in class but within the first 5mins I got exactly what was going on.

[@abrhamdaniel9876]

Wow!!! now this might be one of the best if not the best tutorial i have seen on the web and this constitutes all the three videos they did. its just done well because trust me when i say this i was confused about sequence diagram but this vid cleared everything up every minute of the vid was clear with me barely having any confusion and when i did i quickly understand it. i want all of lucidchart team to be my lecturers. Good job guys!!!👏👏👏 and one more thing i just found out how horrible my lecturers are maybe i will show them this vid so they don't ruin the next generation😒😒

[@paulinegitonga6808]

this just taught me everything i needed to do this semester, very informative and good explaining. LOVE IT

[@AndrewKwabula]

The only lesson I got from this video is 'if the funds are not sufficient whaa whaa' haha. Lucid Chart! Wow, the guides you guys provide on different types of UML Diagrams have been a life saver to me. Thanks for these videos

[@suppotdekimjong-un5615]

Thanks. It's clear now. Now, I need to deal with more advanced sequence diagram's concepts, but this video is a really, really good foundation!!

[@ItsMrEzzy]

Truth to be told, I'm planning on preparing my finals and I really needed a quick and easy video to remember the sequence diagram, thanks a lot! ❤

[@Neranjan.Dissanayke]

This video is so helpful to understand basic knowledge about sequence diagrams. Thank you

[@leylarzazade]

I am so grateful to you. I did my university project task with the help of this video. So clear explanation!

[@mriyas]

Awesome and real quick! Developed a basic understanding of the subject just from this video! Thanks so much to you and the team!

[@oxota7919]

I am extremely greatfull for this. I was so confused for hours wading through the text book and going through the course materials trying to figure out how to write one of these diagrams. Now I know exactly what to do, thank you so much.

[@matteochayrigues8092]

1 semester in 8 minutes, wowwwwww isn't it beautiful ????

[@oaman1]

It is bro .. it is :D

[@marcellemartins4214]

This tutorial is just perfect. In many classes and (and videos), I couldn’t understand what you explained here. Thank you so much for this!

[@norakami]

I enjoyed the explanation on why men and women are hoomans in your video, inspirational 10/10

[@AdityaKumar-cy2cr]

You made this so easy to understand , like what's 1+1. Thanks

[@sn1p3r.]

My lectures could NEVER! GREAT explanation, I finally understand sequence diagrams!

[@juda9954]

This video was amazing! It freshed my memory back up on how UML Squence Diagrams work. It was easy to follow, edited well, and overall just pleasent to watch. On top of that seeing the lucidchart account still giving replies on comments was even more suprising to me! Loved the video, keep making more!

[@rvaisakh10]

juda more like jaa maa chuda

[@udanthasamarasinghe5513]

My lecture tried for 2 hours. but you taught me in 8 mins. thank you so much. You saved my entire semester.

[@rvaisakh10]

you didnt listen thats why bro focus on class always stay on that grind

[@rohanporwal7062]

Make more diagram videos ,this one really helped me

[@lucid_software]

Thanks for watching! We are busy making more! 🙂

[@muhammadaneesyasin8754]

I just watch it 1.5 hours before the exam and I am ready now. thanks for such an easy explanation.

[@TheSa7777]

Lectures tell you what you need to know. 8 minute KZbin tutorials actually teach it to you.

[@mirziyodmirjalolov448]

Thank you for understanding in 8 minutes. My teacher tried to learn me it 3 seminars but i wasn’t able to understand it. This video is so helpful!

[@apmgaming6854]

This and the rest of the diagram tutorials really helped me with my project ......❤ Unfortunately my college wants the diagram to be constructed in StarUML..... anyways these are awesome video's...creating an account on lucidchart✌

[@lucid_software]

So glad these tutorials helped you, and really glad you got a Lucidchart account! Thanks so much for the comment :)

[@unknownperson1123e]

Spent 2 hours in a lecture just to stay confused... Then this video comes along and explains it in 8 minutes like it's no big deal! My professor should take notes. 😂🙌

[@eddiegriffinjones5541]

Why do university lecturers make things so damn hard?!

[@chuckdude514]

They want to sound smart by making you feel it's difficult

[@mamdouhwaleed9514]

Because they want to, I had very few lecturers before who explained things well and easy but most lecturers just screw students for no clear reason to be honest.

[@Mr.Silent404]

no they do not makes thing hard but they explain everything related to it but here you just see the half of the picture so that is why you think they make it hard.

[@sudosai]

@@Mr.Silent404 depends on individual experiences. Most uni profs really suck at teaching

[@L4cH4nC3]

@@sudosai He's right though, this is very very simplified and doesn't really go into detail. This is an abstract sequence diagram, you can have a very specific sequence diagram modeled on already existing code, it looks very different from this.

[@salemalem6745]

Brilliant tutorial! Wish all youtubers speak clearly like this. Thanks a lot!

[@JoaoVictor-rg9ck]

Wow, this was a really good tutorial. Very impressive how clearly you conveyed everything, awesome job!

[@Sadboy80629]

Thanks my professor tried teaching this and it was very slow and generally incomphresible (which is why it's unlisted ) . but professors need to do to keep whatever keeps them unemployed. i understand, it's the world. but this content, helped me tremendously

[@krystalo9915]

Please make an entire collection on UML, it’s a really good explanation for each diagram.

[@lucid_software]

We have a few UML if you haven't seen these yet! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3qZnaR-hLt7n8U

[@User-m8c1z]

Ma'am i am from india...Thank you for this video...this video helps me in semster exam..you clear my all doubts in a few minutes. Handsdown🙌 for such great teaching manner

[@arashaadd]

Super impressive! It's unbelievable how easy I understood this! You're very attractive as well!

[@edwardwong654]

It's been a while since I've done sequence diagrams, so this is a perfect refresher or starter video on sequence diagrams.

[@yasahanzengin3329]

Perfectly explained, thanks!

[@anthonyjaimescardenas6435]

Tutorials like these makes me wonder why I am still attending classes. It's the perfect way to learn

[@HighInFlavour]

Ready to take my Software Engineering final exam tomorrow

[@addicted_traveler]

Fucking same! hahaha

[@huse-ytc2581]

Thanks! Very straight to the point. By following along, it helped me to make my first Sequence Diagram in PlantUML.

[@jekidollar]

you allow to enter the pin after the invalid card was ejected? Not bad...

[@hiranyadeka5505]

This channel is one of my precious finds in KZbin

[@damientohin4888]

Awesome, extremely clear !!!!!!

[@Akshay-dr9dt]

Unbelievable and a wonderful tutorial. I can't understand why don't teachers teach this way.

[@ramanchawla6893]

thank you for making this video. Quite helpful. I have two questions here by the way - 1. While you were drawing the connector lines, sow did the cursor turn to plus sign and you were able to draw the return arrows without dragging line from the shapes? It doesn't seem to be happening for me 2. How did the arrows shift to the lifeline boundary automatically? Doesn't seem to be happening for me again. Did you adjust them manually one by one (something not covered in the video)?

[@matthewmckenzie7687]

Mine did not automate either, and insist on joining the stick figure crotch rather than the border of the shape.

[@RenukaJayawardhana]

bless you, may this be helpful to many others

[@territells_gaming]

When one video taught you more than 2 semesters on modelling. We need a world where someone's credibility doesn't depend on the degrees he has.

[@liulmekonnen8913]

I don't have words to express you !!!! this is very interesting and helpful presentation !! I hope I will see you again for other tutorials , I love you 100% ! live long!!!!!

[@ashishdaniel169]

Thanks for making this video. Greaaat explanation!

[@lucid_software]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ashishdaniel169]

No problem :)

[@marwanmohamedtaherhassanna9745]

Thank you so much this the best tutorial I've ever seen in my 4 years in university

[@BassamT.Faqera]

Thank you so much! you're really amazing!

[@przemyslaw568]

This is actually one of the most useful UML diagrams that exist

[@Valeria-Kr]

Very helpful I would like to see a video about collaboration diagram

[@BIR6764]

D/Angie, I enforced to comment, You people, as well as your way of teaching is Fantabulous. I just loved it!

[@JSFrederic]

When you drag the activation box, the arrow connected to it automatically adjusts to link to the box. Mine stay link to the lifeline and have to manually adjust them. How did you do that?

[@user-po7cm3nr7p54]

did you figure it out?

[@notsoaverageraj7917]

@@user-po7cm3nr7p54 did you figure it out? I am in a pinch and could really use any tip

[@user-po7cm3nr7p54]

@@notsoaverageraj7917 no, i had to manually adjust it

[@notsoaverageraj7917]

@@user-po7cm3nr7p54 hey!! So I found a fix, right click on the activation box and select arrange and then select ‘move to back’

[@user-po7cm3nr7p54]

@@notsoaverageraj7917 I see, thanks for the info. 👍👍

[@SrikantVoruganti]

Excellent explanation on how to create a sequence diagram in only 8 minutes - thanks!

[@ismailaitbahammou4954]

I have a question, is it possible to have many actors ? Video was so helpful, thank you :)

[@davecave7224]

yeah , if you consider a real world system you will find a lot of actors that interacts with another factors .

[@wijdanrana302]

Saving the semester in just 8 minutes. Awesome!!!!!!

[@meimisaki6861]

Thanks a lot such a great and simple explanation .. you are so good .. would make tutorials in everything you have a Knowledge and experience in .. pleaaase T_T

[@lucid_software]

Always working on it! 🙂

[@SiriUkraine]

Hi, Mei! What type of diagrams do you apply to?

[@ghalibzaidi9501]

I found it really hard to understand but now everything is clear. Thanks for making these videos!

[@rojitrojit6576]

Girl so pretty i forgot that i was here for sequence diagrams

[@alixaprodev]

Yah sometimes it happens 😹

[@selcukozdemir8941]

Complicated subjects become clear in here. Really thanks for these tutorials.

[@lefteriskoutsourakis7696]

Nice video guys! Do you have for UML Requirements Diagram (tutorial)??

[@lucid_software]

So glad you like the tutorial! And we don't have a video specifically for UML Requirements Diagrams. But we do have Use Case and Class Diagram tutorials. Maybe those will have some info you need! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3qZnaR-hLt7n8U kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJrHXoCMpJyAY6c

[@lefteriskoutsourakis7696]

I already saw these two you just mentioned...Thanks anyway and keep up the good work! :-)

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

What is a UML Requirements Diagram? Never heard of this, maybe another name on the list? Maybe Use Case Diagram? BEHAVIOURAL UML Diagram Activity Diagram Use Case Diagram Interaction Overview Diagram Timing Diagram State Machine Diagram Communication Diagram Sequence Diagram STRUCTURAL UML Diagram Class Diagram Object Diagram Component Diagram Composite Structure Diagram Deployment Diagram Package Diagram Profile Diagram

[@Dani3872]

@@thearchibaldtuttle I think he talkes about the requirement Matrix and the class diagram made out of them

[@Jerka8000]

I've had over 4 classin in UML! This video that 8min have helped me more than the 16hours i've had in school! Thanks so much, Lucidchart!

[@dhiahassen9414]

Actually, you obviously have done a mistake, after checking if the card s valid, the rest of the diagram should be put in the card valid box , because it will happen only if the card is valid, same goes for pin valid ... it is a nested diagram when using multiple if statements that may cause the session to abort

[@josepatricioochoagarza1271]

I don´t think so sir cause that single process is done when the execution of the validation is over. So when the ATM sends the message to the actor, that´s the end of the box and a new process may continue.

[@JoBure10]

I honestly don't even know why I read from my text books with content this good

[@nguyenlead3967]

7:11 Womp Womp

[@TtnKolonyasi]

I never understand this diagram until I watched this video. Thank you!!

[@aimen__]

ki ndir push(), yji khet met9eta3 wela 9bala ???????

[@lokmanezitouni1390]

ya kho normalement yji mt9ta3 psq qbala wa3ra chwya

[@aimen__]

@@lokmanezitouni1390 ana ta3i jani dayer ya kho

[@amirmerdas4408]

@@aimen__ ana rbtou m3a life line lokhra tsles

[@adesolaadewole1587]

Great! This is the best video I have watched on UML Sequence Diagram. Thank you so very much.

[@gianlucazuccarelli5635]

Logged in user: Butch Cassidy. I see what you did there

[@ivanpetersson4957]

what did she do there?

[@gianlucazuccarelli5635]

@@ivanpetersson4957 Butch Cassidy was a famous bank robber. The UML diagram is about drawing money from an ATM