Process modeling

About: Process modeling is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 11639 publications have been published within this topic receiving 223996 citations. The topic is also known as: process simulation.

PRIME—toward process-integrated modeling environments: 1

Abstract: Research in process-centered environments (PCEs) has focused on project management support and has neglected method guidance for the engineers performing the (software) engineering process. It has been dominated by the search for suitable process-modeling languages and enactment mechanisms. The consequences of process orientation on the computer-based engineering environments, i.e., the interactive tools used during process performance, have been studied much less. In this article, we present the PRIME (Process Integrated Modeling Environments) framework which empowers method guidance through process-integrated tools. In contrast to the tools of PCEs, the process-integrated tools of PRIME adjust their behavior according to the current process situation and the method definitions. Process integration of PRIME tools is achieved through (1) the definition of tool models; (2) the integration of the tool models and the method definitions; (3) the interpretation of the integrated environment model by the tools, the process-aware control integration mechanism, and the enactment mechanism; and (4) the synchronization of the tools and the enactment mechanism based on a comprehensive interaction protocol. We sketch the implementation of PRIME as a reusable implementation framework which facilitates the realization of process-integrated tools as well as the process integration of external tools. We define a six-step procedure for building a PRIME-based process-integrated environment (PIE) and illustrate how PRIME facilitates change integration on an easy-to-adapt modeling level.

Service Process Innovation: A Case Study of BPMN in Practice

Abstract: We describe the application of the Business Process Modeling Notation to the redesign of a service management process in a truck dealership in the N.E. US. After the deployment of a new service management system did not lead to the expected efficiency gains the authors were asked to analyze the as-is service process, make suggestions for improvement, and simulate the financial impact of the proposed changes. The as-is and to-be process were documented in BPMN, and a BPMN-based simulation tool was used to quantify the effects of process improvement. As an outcome of this project we developed an initial subset of BPMN constructs that were a useful starting point for modeling in a process-unaware domain with members of the surveyed organization. We found that the deliberate modification of BPMN constructs allows for the highlighting of common process weaknesses, and we show how an analytical process model changes when it is modified to serve as a simulation models.

Ontological evaluation of enterprise systems interoperability using ebXML

Abstract: Enterprise systems interoperability (ESI) is an important topic for business currently. This situation is evidenced, at least in part, by the number and extent of potential candidate protocols for such process interoperation, viz., ebXML, BPML, BPEL, and WSCI. Wide-ranging support for each of these candidate standards already exists. However, despite broad acceptance, a sound theoretical evaluation of these approaches has not yet been provided. We use the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) models, in particular, the representation model, to provide the basis for such a theoretical evaluation. We, and other researchers, have shown the usefulness of the representation model for analyzing, evaluating, and engineering techniques in the areas of traditional and structured systems analysis, object-oriented modeling, and process modeling. In this work, we address the question, what are the potential semantic weaknesses of using ebXML alone for process interoperation between enterprise systems? We find that users lack important implementation information because of representational deficiencies; due to ontological redundancy, the complexity of the specification is unnecessarily increased; and, users of the specification have to bring in extra-model knowledge to understand constructs in the specification due to instances of ontological excess.

Understanding Declare models: strategies, pitfalls, empirical results

Abstract: Declarative approaches to business process modeling are regarded as well suited for highly volatile environments, as they enable a high degree of flexibility. However, problems in understanding and maintaining declarative process models often impede their adoption. Likewise, little research has been conducted into the understanding of declarative process models. This paper takes a first step toward addressing this fundamental question and reports on an empirical investigation consisting of an exploratory study and a follow-up study focusing on the system analysts' sense-making of declarative process models that are specified in Declare. For this purpose, we distributed real-world Declare models to the participating subjects and asked them to describe the illustrated process and to perform a series of sense-making tasks. The results of our studies indicate that two main strategies for reading Declare models exist: either considering the execution order of the activities in the process model, or orienting by the layout of the process model. In addition, the results indicate that single constraints can be handled well by most subjects, while combinations of constraints pose significant challenges. Moreover, the study revealed that aspects that are similar in both imperative and declarative process modeling languages at a graphical level, while having different semantics, cause considerable troubles. This research not only helps guiding the future development of tools for supporting system analysts, but also gives advice on the design of declarative process modeling notations and points out typical pitfalls to teachers and educators of future systems analysts.

Business process simulation

Abstract: Although simulation is typically considered as relevant and highly applicable, the use of simulation is limited in reality Many organizations have tried to use simulation to analyze their business processes at some stage However, few are using simulation in a structured and effective manner This may be caused by a lack of training and limitations of existing tools, but in this chapter, we argue that there are also several additional and more fundamental problems First of all, the focus is mainly on design while managers would also like to use simulation for operational decision making (solving the concrete problem at hand rather than some abstract future problem) Second, there is limited support for using existing artifacts such as historical data and workflow schemas Third, the behavior of resources is modeled in a rather naive manner This chapter focuses on the last problem It proposes a new way of characterizing resource availability The ideas are described and analyzed using CPN Tools Experiments show that it is indeed possible to capture human behavior in business processes in a much better way By incorporating better resource characterizations in contemporary tools, business process simulation can finally deliver on its outstanding promise