Start Time and Duration Distribution Estimation in Semi-Structured Processes

Semi-structured processes are business workflows, where the execution of the workflow is not completely controlled by a workflow engine, i.e., an implementation of a formal workflow model. Examples are workflows where actors potentially have interaction with customers reporting the result of the interaction in a process aware information system. Building a performance model for resource management in these processes is difficult since the required information is only partially recorded. In this paper we propose a systematic approach for the creation of an event log that is suitable for available process mining tools. This event log is created by an incrementally cleansing of data. The proposed approach is evaluated in an experiment

Feasibility of EPC to BPEL Model Transformations Based on Ontology and Patterns

Model-Driven Engineering holds the promise of transforming\ud business models into code automatically. This requires the concept of\ud model transformation. In this paper, we assess the feasibility of model\ud transformations from Event-driven Process Chain models to Business\ud Process Execution Language specifications. To this purpose, we use a\ud framework based on ontological analysis and workflow patterns in order\ud to predict the possibilities/limitations of such a model transformation.\ud The framework is validated by evaluating the transformation of several\ud models, including a real-life case.\ud The framework indicates several limitations for transformation. Eleven\ud guidelines and an approach to apply them provide methodological support\ud to improve the feasibility of model transformation from EPC to\ud BPEL

Towards a flexible service integration through separation of business rules

Driven by dynamic market demands, enterprises are continuously exploring collaborations with others to add value to their services and seize new market opportunities. Achieving enterprise collaboration is facilitated by Enterprise Application Integration and Business-to-Business approaches that employ architectural paradigms like Service Oriented Architecture and incorporate technological advancements in networking and computing. However, flexibility remains a major challenge related to enterprise collaboration. How can changes in demands and opportunities be reflected in collaboration solutions with minimum time and effort and with maximum reuse of existing applications? This paper proposes an approach towards a more flexible integration of enterprise applications in the context of service mediation. We achieve this by combining goal-based, model-driven and serviceoriented approaches. In particular, we pay special attention to the separation of business rules from the business process of the integration solution. Specifying the requirements as goal models, we separate those parts which are more likely to evolve over time in terms of business rules. These business rules are then made executable by exposing them as Web services and incorporating them into the design of the business process.\ud Thus, should the business rules change, the business process remains unaffected. Finally, this paper also provides an evaluation of the flexibility of our solution in relation to the current work in business process flexibility research

Tailoring the Business Modelling Method for R&D

While the benefits of innovation seem to be clear intuitively, Research and Development (R&D) organisations are struggling to show the value they add. Especially in times of crisis, the result is that they get the first budget cuts to reduce costs in the short term. This causes companies, industries, or even whole economies, to lose competitive advantage in the long run. The field of business modelling deals with the creation and capturing of value. However, it has not yet provided a method tailored to R&D previously. Building upon earlier work on business modelling, we adapt the Business Modelling Method (BMM) to the field of R&D

A Health-care Application of Goal-driven Software Design

In this paper we focus on goal engineering by addressing issues such as goal elicitation, specification, structuring and operationalisation. Specification of business goals is regarded as a means to raise the level of abstraction (and automation) at which business logic is incorporated in model driven software design in the context of service oriented architectures. More specifically, the proposed goal modelling approach consists of an abstract syntax (metamodel) and a concrete syntax (graphical notation) for the specification of business goals. We also proposed a framework for the goal-driven design of service-oriented software applications. In particular, we illustrate our approach by means of a case study carried out in the healthcare sector and we explain the role business goals (operationalised in the form of business rules) can play in software design. This research also outlines a number of areas that have significant research potential