Showing papers on "Business Process Model and Notation published in 2018"

Towards a Process Analysis Approach to Adopt Robotic Process Automation

Abstract: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is an emerging approach that automates repetitive human tasks using robots. For business processes, RPA refers to configuring software-based robots to do the work previously done by actors in the organizations. RPA offers many benefits including improved business efficiency, increased productivity, data security, reduced cycle time, and improved accuracy while allowing organizations to relieve their employees from repetitive and tedious tasks. However, implementing RPA represents a challenge and organizations must learn to manage RPA adoption to achieve maximum results. This paper aims to help organizations to effectively adopt RPA for automating their business processes. More precisely, it proposes a new method to guide organizations in analyzing their business processes in order to identify the most suitable for RPA. We present the principles underlying our method and the results obtained in the context of key processes from the banking domain.

Augmenting processes with decision intelligence: Principles for integrated modelling

Abstract: Until recently decisions were mostly modelled within the process. Such an approach was shown to impair the maintainability, scalability, and flexibility of both processes and decisions. Lately, literature is moving towards a separation of concerns between the process and decision model. Most notably, the introduction of the Decision Model and Notation (DMN) standard provides a suitable solution for filling the void of decision representation. This raises the question whether decisions and processes can easily be separated and consistently integrated. We introduce an integrated way of modelling the process, while providing a decision model which encompasses the process in its entirety, rather than focusing on local decision points only. Specifically, this paper contributes formal definitions for decision models and for the integration of processes and decisions. Additionally, inconsistencies between process and decision models are identified and we remedy those inconsistencies by establishing FivePrinciples for integrated Process and Decision Modelling (5PDM). The principles are subsequently illustrated and validated on a case of a Belgian accounting company. We address the question of consistent integration of process and decision models.We provide a formalisation on which the integration is based.We list possible inconsistencies between process and decision models.We provide modelling guidelines for consistent integration.Our guidelines are applied and illustrated on a real life case.

Business process flexibility - a systematic literature review with a software systems perspective

Abstract: Business Process flexibility supports organizations in changing their everyday work activities to remain competitive. Since much research has been done on this topic a better awareness on the current state of knowledge is needed. This paper reports the results of a systematic literature review to develop a map on Business Process flexibility with a special focus on software systems related aspects. It covers a spectrum of the state of the art from academic point of view. It includes 164 research works from the main computer science digital libraries. After an introduction into the topic the applied methodology is described. The output of the paper is in the form of schemes and reflections. Starting from the needs for Business Process flexibility, its impact on Business Process life-cycle is introduced. Successively instruments used to express and to support Business Process flexibility are presented together with related validation scenarios. In this paper we also highlight possible future research lines needing further investigations. In particular we identified room for future works in the area of languages for modeling flexibility, on-the-fly verification solutions, adaptation of Business Process running instances, and techniques for evolution recognition.

Frameworks for Business Process Management: A Taxonomy for Business Process Management Cases

Abstract: While the body of knowledge on business process management has matured during the past decades (Dumas et al., Fundamentals of business process management. Berlin: Springer, 2013; vom Brocke and Rosemann, Handbook on business process management. Berlin: Springer, 2015), few real-world cases are available that provide practical experiences from BPM projects. This book presents a diverse set of 31 real-world BPM cases, all reported using a unified schema so the knowledge contained in these cases can be accessed readily.

A BPMN extension to support discrete-event simulation for healthcare applications: an explicit representation of queues, attributes and data-driven decision points

Abstract: Stakeholder engagement in simulation projects is important, especially in healthcare where there is a plurality of stakeholder opinions, objectives and power. One promising approach for increasing engagement is facilitated modelling. Currently, the complexity of producing a simulation model means that the ‘model coding’ stage is performed without the involvement of stakeholders, interrupting the possibility of a fully facilitated project. Early work demonstrated that with currently available software tools we can represent a simple healthcare process using Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and generate a simulation model automatically. However, for more complex processes, BPMN currently has a number of limitations, namely the ability to represent queues and data-driven decision points. To address these limitations, we propose a conceptual design for an extension to BPMN (BPMN4SIM) using model-driven architecture. Application to an elderly emergency care pathway in a UK hospital shows that BPMN4SIM is able to represent a more complex business process.

How do humans inspect BPMN models: an exploratory study

Abstract: Even though considerable progress regarding the technical perspective on modeling and supporting business processes has been achieved, it appears that the human perspective is still often left aside. In particular, we do not have an in-depth understanding of how process models are inspected by humans, what strategies are taken, what challenges arise, and what cognitive processes are involved. This paper contributes toward such an understanding and reports an exploratory study investigating how humans identify and classify quality issues in BPMN process models. Providing preliminary answers to initial research questions, we also indicate other research questions that can be investigated using this approach. Our qualitative analysis shows that humans adapt different strategies on how to identify quality issues. In addition, we observed several challenges appearing when humans inspect process models. Finally, we present different manners in which classification of quality issues was addressed.

Matching events and activities by integrating behavioral aspects and label analysis

Abstract: Nowadays, business processes are increasingly supported by IT services that produce massive amounts of event data during the execution of a process. These event data can be used to analyze the process using process mining techniques to discover the real process, measure conformance to a given process model, or to enhance existing models with performance information. Mapping the produced events to activities of a given process model is essential for conformance checking, annotation and understanding of process mining results. In order to accomplish this mapping with low manual effort, we developed a semi-automatic approach that maps events to activities using insights from behavioral analysis and label analysis. The approach extracts Declare constraints from both the log and the model to build matching constraints to efficiently reduce the number of possible mappings. These mappings are further reduced using techniques from natural language processing, which allow for a matching based on labels and external knowledge sources. The evaluation with synthetic and real-life data demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach and its robustness toward non-conforming execution logs.

What we know and what we do not know about DMN

Abstract: The recent Decision Model and Notation (DMN) establishes business decisions as first-class citizens of executable business processes. This research note has two objectives: first, to describe DMN's technical and theoretical foundations; second, to identify research directions for investigating DMN's potential benefits on a technological, individual and organizational level. To this end, we integrate perspectives from management science, cognitive theory and information systems research.

Integrating IoT Devices into Business Processes

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) has arrived in everyday life, controlling and measuring everything from assembly lines, through shipping containers to household appliances. Thus, IoT devices are often part of larger and more complex business processes, which might change their course based on events from these devices. However, when developing IoT applications the process perspective is often neglected and coordination of devices is realized in an ad-hoc way using custom scripts. In this paper we propose to employ process model to define the process layer of IoT applications and enact them through a process engine. Our approach thus bridges the gap between physical IoT devices and business processes. The presented implementation shows that those two can be combined without in-depth programming expertise or extensive configuration, without restricting or strongly coupling the components.

Modeling and Deploying IoT-Aware Business Process Applications in Sensor Networks.

Abstract: The concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) is an important part of the next generation of information. Wireless sensor networks are composed of independent distributed smart sensor nodes and gateways. These discrete sensors constantly gather external physical information, such as temperature, sound, and vibration. Owing to the diversity of sensor devices and the complexity of the sensor sensing environment, the direct modeling of an IoT-aware business process application is particularly difficult. In addition, how to effectively deploy those designed applications to discrete servers in the heterogeneous sensor networks is also a pressing problem. In this paper, we propose a resource-oriented modeling approach and a dynamic consistent hashing (DCH)-based deploying algorithm to solve the above problems. Initially, we extended the graphic and machine-readable model of Business Process Model Notation (BPMN) 2.0 specification, making it able to support the direct modeling of an IoT-aware business process application. Furthermore, we proposed the DCH-based deploying algorithm to solve the problem of dynamic load balancing and access efficiency in the distributed execution environment. Finally, we designed an actual extended BPMN plugin in Eclipse. The approach presented in this paper has been validated to be effective.

Aligning Event Logs to Task-Time Matrix Clinical Pathways in BPMN for Variance Analysis

Abstract: Clinical pathways (CPs) are popular healthcare management tools to standardize care and ensure quality. Analyzing CP compliance levels and variances is known to be useful for training and CP redesign purposes. Flexible semantics of the business process model and notation (BPMN) language has been shown to be useful for the modeling and analysis of complex protocols. However, in practical cases one may want to exploit that CPs often have the form of task-time matrices. This paper presents a new method parsing complex BPMN models and aligning traces to the models heuristically. A case study on variance analysis is undertaken, where a CP from the practice and two large sets of patients data from an electronic medical record (EMR) database are used. The results demonstrate that automated variance analysis between BPMN task-time models and real-life EMR data are feasible, whereas that was not the case for the existing analysis techniques. We also provide meaningful insights for further improvement.

A Concept for Generating Business Process Models from Natural Language Description

Abstract: Manual extraction of business process models from technical documentation is a time-consuming task. Several approaches to generating such process models have been proposed. We present a proposal of a new method for extracting business process from natural language text through intermediate process model using the spreadsheet-based representation. Such intermediate model is transformed into a valid BPMN process model. Our method is enhanced with semantic analysis of the text, allows for quick check of the transformation result and manual correction during this process. As the obtained BPMN model is structured, it is easier to check its correctness.

Transformation of Business Process Model and Notation models onto Petri nets and their analysis

Abstract: Business Process Model and Notation is known as a widely used standard for business processes modeling. However, its main drawback is that it lacks formal semantics, leading to some undesirable pro...

BMM: A Business Modeling Method For Information Systems Development

Abstract: An important premise of most of the contemporary methods for developing Software and Information Systems is that a good understanding of the application domain is essential for a comprehensive definition of its requirements. However, when these methods are applied to the enterprise context, it is very unclear what an application domain means. To solve this problem, we elaborate the notion of business system and propose a method based on such notion for modeling application domains of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS). This method helps EIS development teams to get comprehensive knowledge about EIS application domains. This knowledge is expressed in terms of the fundamental concepts of a business system: goals, technologies, business rules, business processes, business objects, actors, job structure, and events. The method is described in terms of three methodological components: a product model, a process model, and a team model. This structure facilitates the explanation, understanding and application of the method.

An Approach to Participatory Business Process Modeling: BPMN Model Generation Using Constraint Programming and Graph Composition

Abstract: Designing business process models plays a vital role in business process management. The acquisition of such models may consume up to 60% of the project time. This time can be shortened using methods for the automatic or semi-automatic generation of process models. In this paper, we present a user-friendly method of business process composition. It uses a set of predefined constraints to generate a synthetic log of the process based on a simplified, unordered specification, which describes activities to be performed. Such a log can be used to generate a correct BPMN model. To achieve this, we propose the use of one of the existing process discovery algorithms or executing the activity graph-based composition algorithm, which generates the process model directly from the input log file. The proposed approach allows process participants to take part in process modeling. Moreover, it can be a support for business analysts or process designers in visualizing the workflow without the necessity to design the model explicitly in a graphical editor. The BPMN diagram is generated as an interchangeable XML file, which allows its further modification and adjustment. The included comparative analysis shows that our method is capable of generating process models characterized by high flow complexity and can support BPMN constructs, which are sufficient for about 70% of business cases.

VR-BPMN: Visualizing BPMN Models in Virtual Reality

Abstract: One impact of the digital transformation of industry is an increasing automation of business processes (BPs) and the accompanying need for business process modeling (BPM) and comprehension. The subsequent increased number of processes and process variants to cover all cases, their deeper integration with information services, and additional process structural complexity affects comprehensibility. While virtual reality (VR) has made inroads in other domains and become readily accessible as a graphical interface alternative, its potential for addressing upcoming BPM comprehension challenges has not been sufficiently explored. This paper contributes a solution for visualizing, navigating, interacting with, and annotating business process modeling notation (BPMN) models in VR. An implementation shows its feasibility and an empirical study evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency, and intuitiveness versus alternative model depiction modes.

Transformation of the BPMN Design Model into a Colored Petri Net Using the Partitioning Approach

Abstract: Formal verification is a process to ensure that the business process model and notation (BPMN) design model is free of deadlock, livelock, and other undesirable properties that can cause a system crash. Formal verification is a complicated procedure involving model abstraction and model checking tools used for property checking. There are several existing transformation techniques that yield an abstract model, but the data perspective is not considered. These techniques are also inappropriate for the large-scale BPMN design model. An automated transformation can reduce the flaws, time consumption, and complexity of the large-scale BPMN design model. This paper proposes a transformation technique and provides a framework for transforming the BPMN design models into colored Petri nets (CPNs). Our techniques cover both the control-flow and data-flow perspectives. The partitioning technique of the BPMN design model is applied to reduce the complexity and leads to a CPN model that can support the hierarchical and compositional verification techniques that are suitable for the large-scale BPMN design models. The proposed transformation has been implemented as a transformation framework and is able to consistently transform the BPMN design models into CPN models.

A Comprehensive Investigation of BPMN Models Generation from Textual Requirements—Techniques, Tools and Trends

Abstract: Business Process Modeling Languages (BPML’s) are continuously getting attraction of software development communities due to the fact of specifying complex business requirements with simplicity. However, the development of business process models from textual requirements through existing BPML’s is a time consuming task. In this context, Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques are commonly applied to automatically generate business process models from textual requirements. Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is a well-known BPML. This article comprehensively investigates modern techniques, tools and trends for the generation of BPMN models from textual requirements by utilizing NLP techniques. Particularly, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is performed to select and evaluate 36 research studies published in the span of 2010–2018. As a result, 11 NLP and 8 BPMN tools are identified. Furthermore, 8 commonly generated BPMN constructs are recognized. Finally, a comparative analysis of NLP and BPMN tools is performed with the help of important evaluation parameters. It is concluded that the existing NLP techniques and tools significantly simplify the process of BPMN models generation from textual requirements. However, the existing approaches are inadequate to be applied in the industries, especially for real-time systems.

Guidelines for Business Rule Modeling Decisions

Abstract: Business process models are used heavily in practice as a basis for process improvement, systems development, and understanding business operations. While prior research has identified a clear need...

Systematic analysis and evaluation of visual conceptual modeling language notations

Abstract: In systems analysis and design it is common to refer to some widely used de-facto industry standards like Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). Albeit the wide adoption of such standard modeling languages, only limited research focuses on the techniques in which these standards are specified and the quality they provide. Most research focuses on case studies of applying standards, ways of extending standards to domain-specific requirements, e.g., by means of profiling, or evaluations of single modeling languages, e.g., using questionnaires or semiotic theories. By contrast, this paper critically reflects on the current state of modeling standards with a focus on their graphical representation (notation). The contribution of this paper is threefold: First, a systematic analysis is performed thereby investigating how different modeling standards specify notational aspects. Second, an evaluation is performed by applying Moody's Physics of Notation theory to the identified standards. Third, based on the findings, recommendations are given to improve modeling standard specifications in the future w.r.t. their notational aspects.

Analyzing E-Commerce Business Process Nets via Incidence Matrix and Reduction

Abstract: E-commerce business process nets (EBPNs) are a novel formal model for describing and validating e-commerce systems including interactive parties such as shopper, merchant, and third-party payment platform. Data errors and nondeterminacy of the data states during the trading process can be depicted with the help of EBPNs. However, the problem about how to analyze EBPNs remains largely open. To analyze their data-liveness, data-boundedness, and reachability, this paper presents two analysis methods. For EBPNs, reachability analysis is proposed based on a 3-D incidence matrix method. Additionally, reduction methods are proposed for a special EBPN. Finally, the validity and reliability of the proposed methods are illustrated via the examples of e-commerce systems.

Towards continuous security compliance in agile software development at scale

Abstract: With agile methodologies increasingly being applied in regulated environments, security and compliance emerge as critical issues. Combining both concerns is challenging because security engineering techniques are often based on linear development. We propose a method for achieving continuous and secure development by mapping the requirements of security standards into an agile process model. Additionally, this allows verification of compliance even in the face of dynamic process changes. Applicability of the method is demonstrated by using Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) to model and extend activities and artifacts of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) according to requirements of IEC 62443-4-1, a standard for secure product development in industrial systems.

A Small Company as a Thinging Machine

Abstract: Business process modeling has been applied through a modeling language and notation, such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) or Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN). This paper proposes another diagrammatic language, called Thinging Machine (TM), and demonstrates its applicability as a modeling language with its own merits. The paper focuses on business process modeling in small companies. It presents a single case study of an actual small company that provides advertisement installation services and examines the current capabilities to construct a conceptual model that adopts systems thinking. This includes depicting the components of the company to deliver a holistic picture for the managers as they build new business models and evolve from their current design.

Managing Decision Tasks and Events in Time-Aware Business Process Models

Abstract: Time-aware business process models capture processes where temporal properties and constraints have to be suitably managed to achieve proper completion. Temporal aspects also constrain how decisions are made in processes: while some constraints hold only along certain paths, decision outcomes may be restricted to satisfy temporal constraints. In this paper, we present time-aware BPMN processes and discuss how to: (i) add temporal features to process elements, by considering also the impact of events on temporal constraint management; (ii) characterize decisions based on when they are made and used within a process; (iii) specify and use two novel kinds of decisions based on how their outcomes are managed; (iv) deal with intertwined temporal and decision aspects of time-aware BPMN processes to ensure proper execution.