Towards a pivotal-based approach for business process alignment.

This article focuses on business process engineering, especially on alignment between business analysis and implementation. Through a business process management approach, different transformations interfere with process models in order to make them executable. To keep the consistency of process model from business model to IT model, we propose a pivotal metamodel-centric methodology. It aims at keeping or giving all requisite structural and semantic data needed to perform such transformations without loss of information. Through this we can ensure the alignment between business and IT. This article describes the concept of pivotal metamodel and proposes a methodology using such an approach. In addition, we present an example and the resulting benefits

How Much Language Is Enough? Theoretical and Practical Use of the Business Process Modeling Notation

Graphical models of business processes are used for analysis, design, and implementation of these processes and their supporting information systems. The Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is an increasingly important industry standard for the graphical representation of processes. BPMN offers a wide range of modeling constructs, significantly more than other popular languages. However, it would appear that not all of these constructs are equally important in practice. Business analysts frequently use arbitrary subsets of BPMN. In this paper we investigate what these subsets are, and how they differ between academic, consulting, and general use of the language. We analyzed 120 BPMN diagrams using mathematical and statistical techniques. Our findings indicate that BPMN is used in groups of several, well-defined con-struct clusters, but less than 20% of its vocabulary is regularly used and some constructs did not occur in any of the models we analyzed. While the average model contains just 9 different BPMN constructs, models of this complexity have typically just 4-5 constructs in common, which means that only a small agreed subset of BPMN has emerged. Our findings have implications for the entire ecosystems of analysts and modelers in that they provide guidance on how to reduce language complexity, which should increase the ease and speed of process modeling

The origin and evolution of syntax errors in simple sequence flow models in BPMN

How do syntax errors emerge? What is the earliest moment that potential syntax errors can be detected? Which evolution do syntax errors go through during modeling? A provisional answer to these questions is formulated in this paper based on an investigation of a dataset containing the operational details of 126 modeling sessions. First, a list is composed of the different potential syntax errors. Second, a classification framework is built to categorize the errors according to their certainty and severity during modeling (i.e., in partial or complete models). Third, the origin and evolution of all syntax errors in the dataset are identified. This data is then used to collect a number of observations, which form a basis for future research

A process-based framework for digital building logbooks

Digital building logbooks (DBLs), as repositories of building lifecycle data, can contribute to improving the performance of and decisions about buildings. However, for DBL concept, its required data and the roles of various stakeholders. These are all aspects that need to be investigated. We thus propose a process-based DBL framework integrating data and stakeholder roles. This fulfils key DBL requirements and supports digitalisation of building objects. The research uses a literature review, process mapping, and a focus group to develop and validate the framework. This proposal contributes to the priority actions 1 and 2 of the European Commission’s DBL report

Evolutionary optimization of production materials workflow processes

AbstractWe present an evolutionary optimisation technique for stochastic production processes, which is able to find improved production materials workflow processes with respect to arbitrary combinations of numerical quantities associated with the production process. Working from a core fragment of the BPMN language, we employ an evolutionary algorithm where stochastic model checking is used as a fitness function to determine the degree of improvement of candidate processes derived from the original process through mutation and cross-over operations. We illustrate this technique using a case study where a baked goods company seeks to improve production time while simultaneously minimising the cost and use of resources

Synergizing the logistics processes and process management – framework of BPM course based on business cases, BPM standards and tools

Better processes produce lower costs, higher revenues, motivated employees, and happier customers. Logistics companies operating on very competitive market are continuously seeking opportunities to ensure the process reliability while improving their productivity. Due to increasing process complexity it is necessary to apply a systematic approach to designing, implementation, monitoring and improvement of processes in the organization. Such approach may be realized through Business Process Management (BPM) techniques and tools. An investment in BPM software, coupled with new approaches to project implementation, enables companies to introduce a sustainable business process improvement program. However,  the  implementation  of BPM is  not  easy because of process complexity and multiplication of interaction specific for each organization.    In this paper we propose some teaching frameworks, that can be used during the education process to enhance the practical skills in BPMN and in the application of process management in the field of logistics. Our solution is based on practical cases and BPM worldwide standards. It provides students with the opportunity to use the BPM suites software in complex environment and practice the techniques of modelling and analyzing processes. The presented framework may address many of requirements of learning environments for business process analysts. In the second part of the article we present also the analysis of students’ (attendants’ of BPM classes) opinions about gaining knowledge and skills on BPM. Performed research indicate that young people were keen on business process modeling classes organized in a form of problem-based laboratories and they would like to use learned BPM methods and tools in their future education or work