Business Process Model and Notation

About: Business Process Model and Notation is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 9038 publications have been published within this topic receiving 190712 citations. The topic is also known as: Business Process Modeling Notation & BPMN.

The ontological deficiencies of process modeling in practice

Abstract: Business process modeling is widely regarded as one of the most popular forms of conceptual modeling. However, little is known about the capabilities and deficiencies of process modeling grammars and how existing deficiencies impact actual process modeling practice. This paper is a first contribution towards a theory-driven, exploratory empirical investigation of the ontological deficiencies of process modeling with the industry standard Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN). We perform an analysis of BPMN using a theory of ontological expressiveness. Through a series of semi-structured interviews with BPMN adopters we explore empirically the actual use of this grammar. Nine ontological deficiencies related to the practice of modeling with BPMN are identified, for example, the capture of business rules and the specification of process decompositions. We also uncover five contextual factors that impact on the use of process modeling grammars, such as tool support and modeling conventions. We discuss implications for research and practice, highlighting the need for consideration of representational issues and contextual factors in decisions relating to BPMN adoption in organizations.

Transformation of BPMN Models for Behaviour Analysis

Abstract: In industry, many business processes are modelled and stored in Enterprise Information Systems (EIS). Tools supporting the verification and validation of business processes can help to improve the quality of these business processes. However, existing tools can not directly be applied to models used in industry. In this paper, we present our approach for model verification and validation: translating industrial models to Petri nets and mCRL2, and subsequently applying existing tools on the models derived from the initial industrial models. The following translations are described: BPMN models to Petri nets and Petri nets to mCRL2. It is shown what the analysis on the derived models can reveal about the original models.

New methods for clinical pathways—Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Tangible Business Process Modeling (t.BPM)

Abstract: Clinical pathways (CP) are nowadays used in numerous institutions, but their real impact is still a matter of debate. The optimal design of a clinical pathway remains unclear and is mainly determined by the expectations of the individual institution. The purpose of the here described pilot project was the development of two CP (colon and rectum carcinoma) according to Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Tangible Business Process Modeling (t.BPM). BPMN is an established standard for business process modelling in industry and economy. It is, in the broadest sense, a computer programme which enables the description and a relatively easy graphical imaging of complex processes. t.BPM is a modular construction system of the BPMN symbols which enables the creation of an outline or raw model, e.g. by placing the symbols on a spread-out paper sheet. The thus created outline can then be transferred to the computer and further modified as required. CP for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer have been developed with support of an external IT coach. The pathway was developed in an interdisciplinary and interprofessional manner (55 man-days over 15 working days). During this time, necessary interviews with medical, nursing and administrative staffs were conducted as well. Both pathways were developed parallel. Subsequent analysis was focussed on feasibility, expenditure, clarity and suitability for daily clinical practice. The familiarization with BPMN was relatively quick and intuitive. The use of t.BPM enabled the pragmatic, effective and results-directed creation of outlines for the CP. The development of both CP was finished from the diagnostic evaluation to the adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy and rehabilitation phase. The integration of checklists, guidelines and important medical or other documents is easily accomplished. A direct integration into the hospital computer system is currently not possible for technical reasons. BPMN and t.BPM are sufficiently suitable for the planned modelling and imaging of CP. The application in medicine is new, and transfer from the industrial process management is in principle possible. BPMN-CP may be used for teaching and training, patient information and quality management. The graphical image is clearly structured and appealing. Even though the efficiency in the creation of BPMN-CP increases markedly after the training phase, high amounts of manpower and time are required. The most sensible and consequent application of a BPMN-CP would be the direct integration into the hospital computer system. The integration of a modelling language, such as BPMN, into the hospital computer systems could be a very sensible approach for the development of new hospital information systems in the future.

Security requirement analysis of business processes

Abstract: Economic globalization leads to complex decentralized company structures calling for the extensive use of distributed IT-systems. The business processes of a company have to reflect these changes of infrastructure. In particular, due to new electronic applications and the inclusion of a higher number of--potentially unknown--persons, the business processes are more vulnerable against malicious attacks than traditional processes. Thus, a business should undergo a security analysis. Here, the vulnerabilities of the business process are recognized, the risks resulting from the vulnerabilities are calculated, and suitable safeguards reducing the vulnerabilities are selected. Unfortunately, a security analysis tends to be complex and affords expensive security expert support. In order to reduce the expense and to enable domain experts with in-depth insight in business processes but with limited knowledge about security to develop secure business processes, we developed the framework MoSSBP facilitating the handling of business process security requirements from their specification to their realization. In particular, MoSS BP provides graphical concepts to specify security requirements, repositories of various mechanisms enforcing the security requirements, and a collection of reference models and case studies enabling the modification of the business processes. In this paper, the MoSS BP -framework is presented. Additionally, we introduce a tool supporting the MoSSBP-related security analysis of business processes and the incorporation of safeguards. This tool is based on object-oriented process models and acts with graph rewrite systems. Finally, we clarify the application of the MoSSBP-framework by means of a business process for tender-handling which is provided by anonymity-preserving safeguards.

Process extension wizard for coherent multi-dimensional business process models

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods, systems, and software for processing a coherent multi-dimensional business process model. The software includes computer-readable instructions embodied on media to identify a coherent multi-dimensional business process model based on at least a portion of a first model for a business process and at least a portion of a second model for the business process. The software then parses the multi-dimensional business process model to identify at least one extension point, each extension point operable to interface a disparate business tool with the business process. The software is further operable to present an extension wizard to a client for a particular one of the identified extension points. It can create entities and extensions in various modeling environments and development environments.