Two-level architecture for rule-based business process management

One of the main challenges in Business Process Management (BPM) systems is the need to adapt business rules in real time. A serious obstacle is the lack of adaptable formal models for managing dynamic business rules. This is, due to the inadequacy of the models ability to describe the rule components, meta-rules, relationships and logical dependencies. To overcome this drawback, this paper presents a two-level rule-based approach to control BPM systems. The model accounts for logical representation of rules components and their relationships in Process-based Systems, as well as a method for incremental indexing of the business rules. The incremental indexing mechanism is described as an approach to control process execution and adaptation of business rules in real time based on rules propagation. Therefore this model provides a basis for an efficient and adaptable solution for managing business rules changes

Adaptive business rules framework for workflow management

Changing scattered and dynamic business rules in Business Workflow Systems has become a growing problem that hinders the use and configuration of workflow-based applications. There is a gap in the existing research studies which currently focus on solutions that are application specific, without accounting for the universal logical dependencies between the business rules and, as a result, do not support adaptation of the business rules in real time. Design/methodology/approach – To tackle the above problems, this paper adopts a bottom-up approach, which puts forward a component model of the business process workflows and business rules based on purely logical specification which allows incremental development of the workflows and indexing of the rules which govern them during the initial acquisition and real-time execution. Results – The paper introduces a component-based event-driven model for development of business workflows which is purely logic based and can be easily implemented using an object-oriented technology together with a formal model for accounting the business rules dependencies together with a new method for incremental indexing of the business rules controlling the workflows. It proposes a two-level inference mechanism as a vehicle for controlling the business process execution and adaptation of the business rules at real time based on propagating the dependencies between the rules. Originality/value –The major achievement of this research is the universal, strictly logic-based event-driven framework for business process modelling and control which allows automatic adaptation of the business rules governing the business workflows based on accounting for their structural dependencies. An additional advantage of the framework is its support for object-oriented technology which can be implemented with enterprise-level quality and efficiency. Although developed primarily for application in construction industry the framework is entirely domain-independent and can be used in other industries, too

A Classification of Modification Categories for Business Rules

Business rules play a critical role in an organization’s daily activities. With the increased use of business rules (solutions) the interest in modelling guidelines that address the manageability of business rules has increased as well. However, current research on modelling guidelines is mainly based on a theoretical view of modifications that can occur to a business rule set. Research on actual modifications that occur in practice is limited. The goal of this study is to identify modifications that can occur to a business rule set and underlying business rules. To accomplish this goal we conducted a grounded theory study on 229 rules set, as applied from March 2006 till June 2014, by the National Health Service. In total 3495 modifications have been analysed from which we defined eleven modification categories that can occur to a business rule set. The classification provides a framework for the analysis and design of business rules management architectures

Run-Time Auditing for Business Processes Data Using Constraints

Business processes involve data that can be modified or up dated by various activities. These data must satisfy the business rules associated to the process. These data are normally stored in a rela tional database, and hence the database has to be analyzed to determine whether the business rules can be satisfied. This paper presents a framework including a run-time auditing layer where the correctness of a database can be analyzed at different check points of a business process according to the data flow. It provides an early detection of incorrect action on stored data. Furthermore, in or der to manage the current business rules, the use of the constraint pro gramming paradigm is proposed and the enlargement of the Constraint Database Management Systems to support business rulesJunta de Andalucía P08-TIC-04095Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIN2009-1371

Business Model for Business Rules

Business rule models are widely applied, standalone and embedded in smart objects. They have become segregated from information technology and they are now a valuable asset in their own right. As more business rule models are becoming assets, business models to monetize these assets are designed. The goal of this work is to present a step towards business model classification for organizations for which its value position is characterized by business rule models. Based on a survey we propose a business model categorization that is aligned to different types of assets and business model archetypes. The results show five main categories of business models: The value adding business rule model, the ‘create me a business rule model’ business model, the KAAS business model, the bait and hook business model and the market place business model

Identifying Challenges in BRM Implementations Regarding the Verification and Validation Capabilities at Governmental Institutions

Since an increasing amount of business rules management solutions are utilized, organizations search for guidance to design such solutions. As the amount of BRMS-implementations increase, the amount of implementation challenges experienced in practice increase as well. Therefore, it is of importance to gain insights into these implementation challenges which can help guide future implementations of BRMS. Smit, Zoet and Versendaal (2017) described the challenges regarding elicitation, design and specification of business decisions and business logic; in this study, we identify the main challenges regarding 1) the verification and 2) validation of business decisions and business logic in the Dutch governmental context. Building on the collection and the analysis of two three-round focus groups and two three-round Delphi studies we report on the 17 challenges experienced by the participants. The presented results provide a grounded basis from which empirical and practical research on best practices can be further explored

Business rules based legacy system evolution towards service-oriented architecture.

Enterprises can be empowered to live up to the potential of becoming dynamic, agile and real-time. Service orientation is emerging from the amalgamation of a number of key business, technology and cultural developments. Three essential trends in particular are coming together to create a new revolutionary breed of enterprise, the service-oriented enterprise (SOE): (1) the continuous performance management of the enterprise; (2) the emergence of business process management; and (3) advances in the standards-based service-oriented infrastructures. This thesis focuses on this emerging three-layered architecture that builds on a service-oriented architecture framework, with a process layer that brings technology and business together, and a corporate performance layer that continually monitors and improves the performance indicators of global enterprises provides a novel framework for the business context in which to apply the important technical idea of service orientation and moves it from being an interesting tool for engineers to a vehicle for business managers to fundamentally improve their businesses

Applying the Decision Model and Notation in Practice: A Method to Design and Specify Business Decisions and Business Logic

Proper decision-making is one of the most important capabilities of an organization. Therefore, it is important to make explicit all decisions that are relevant to manage for an organization. In 2015 the Object Management Group published the Decision Model and Notation (DMN) standard that focuses on modelling business decisions and underlying business logic. DMN is being adopted at an increas-ing rate, however, theory does not adequately cover activities or methods to guide practitioners mod-elling with DMN. To tackle this problem this paper presents a method to guide the modelling process of business decisions with DMN. The method has been validated and improved with an experiment using thirty participants. Based on this method, future research could focus on further validation and improvement by using more participants from different industries

Identifying Challenges in Business Rules Management Implementations Regarding the Governance Capability at Governmental Institutions

As the number of BRMS-implementations increases, more and more organizations search for guidance to design such solutions. Given these premises, more implementation challenges experienced from practice become evident. In this study, we identify the main challenges regarding the governance capability as part of BRM, in the Dutch governmental context. To be able to do so, we utilized a four-round focus group and a three-round Delphi study set-up to collect our data. The analysis resulted in eight implementation challenges experienced by the participants. The presented results provide a grounded basis from which empirical and practical research on best practices can be further explored