- Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is one of OMG (Object Management Group®) product, standardized ISO standard. Nowadays BPMN become de-facto notation and is used to create different types and architecture levels of activity diagrams. The main point of this article is to integrate the BPMN notation into the knowledge-based IS engineering process, thereby reducing the empiricity and enabling semi-automated generation of a more precise operational model. For this reason there is created Algorithm for the representation of the activity meta-model element BPMN and detailed one element "Activity" type selection algorithm. The prototype, by using Microsoft Access 2016 program, MagicDraw 18.1 tool and interactive expert system ES-Builder Web, tests correctly operation of both algorithms.
Keywords— BPMN; Enterprise Model; Enterprise Meta-model; IS engineering process.
Constantly changing and expanding information systems of organizations, is faced with the problem of displaying information flows. To reach goals of business, it might be used different types of interconnection and graphical imaging standard diagrams and notations of business processes, functions, objects and other elements. Each method has its own abilities to interpret and submit information about organization domain knowledge system.
From the point of view of organizations and companies, it is important to systematize stored information as easily and accurately as possible. For each participant of the activity to be equally well acquainted with the future benefits of the information system.
Different business activities require a variety of business models describing business processes. The more research and presentation of business process mapping techniques, the easier it will be for businesses to select the most appropriate option for them.
The work deals with the notation and modeling languages, which help to create business models in the field of knowledge. The main point of this article is to integrate the BPMN notation into the knowledge-based IS engineering process, thereby reducing the empiricity and enabling semi-automated generation of a more precise operational model. For this reason, the following tasks are considered, such as, to study the modeling languages
Business Process Definition Meta-model (BPDM) [4] provides the ability to represent and model business process without reference to notation or methodology combined these different methods into a coherent functional dependence. It is created by using meta-model like perfect connection between terms and concepts based basic processes’ vocabulary [6]. BPDM uses OMG standard – MOF Meta-Object Facility [7,8,9] capturing business process by common method and let XML syntax save and transform business process models using tools and infrastructure.
Date-Time Vocabulary (DTV) [4] modeling the continuous,
discrete time, event relationships and time-space situations,
language aspects, time tables and graphs [
Business Process Maturity Model (BPMM) [4] describes an
evolutionary path of development that focuses on the
organization's movement from immature, inconsistent processes to
mature, disciplined processes. BPMM based Process Maturity
Framework, which is basis widely used Capability Maturity
Model for Integration (CMMI) to help organizations organize
repeated software engineering processes [
The most often there are used well-known modeling languages – UML and SysML or notation – BPMN. All these are OMG’s products. For more detailed information in the next subsections.
A. UML
Unified Modeling Language® (UML) is ISO standard
created by OMG. UML has thirteen types of diagrams grouped in
three categories [
Those diagrams represent static application structure.
Behavior Diagrams includes Use Case Diagram, Activity Diagram and State Machine Diagram – show basic types of behavior.
To show different interactions aspects is needed to use Interaction Diagrams, like Sequence Diagram, Communication Diagram, Timing Diagram and Interaction Overview Diagram.
Another OMG’s modeling language is Systems Modeling
Language™ (OMG SysML™). It is the general purpose
graphical modeling language is intended to specify, analyze, design
and test complex systems that may include hardware, software,
information, personnel, procedures and services [
Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is de-facto
graphical standard notation in modeling of processes. BPMN is
also OMG product and describes the progress of the business
processes to the final process flow. BPMN specially designed to
coordinate process sequences and reports that come from
different process participants. At the same time enables BPMN
diagrams to be transformed into components of the software
development process [
In accordance with reference [
3) Connecting Objects. Used to interconnect flow objects with different types of arrows: c) Data Outputs d) Data Stores. a) Sequence Flows, b) Message Flows, c) Associations, d) Data Associations. a) Pools, b) Lanes.
4) Swimlanes are used to group the initial simulation elements:
information:
These elements are used to create different level BPMN diagrams.
Similarities and differences among UML, SysML and BPMN in the next subsection.
Kenneth D. Evensen and Dr. Kathryn Anne Weiss [
UML and BPMN notations can adequately model most
structures. There are not adequate graphic layout layers
Interleaved Parallel Routing in UML activity diagram. Similar
graphic representation of forms for the same models. BPMN has
less basic objects. To avoid complexity in development process,
there need to invent variants to those objects. Business sequence
models are oriented to control flows between process activities.
Data flow is used between activities in BPMN. Activity diagram
and business process diagram are very close and are represented
by the same meta-model [
According to reference [
There can be provided mappings and transformation algorithm from BPMN Business process model to UML Activity model at the later stage. Condition 1. The starting point is defined by an Initial Node. No method of specifying why the Activity was started is available.
Condition 2. The basic behavior unit in an Activity is the Actionelement. UML provides many different forms of Actions, although the simulation makes use of a small subset of these.
Condition 3. A Control Flow is used to connect the elements on an Activity diagram. A distinguishing feature is that only a single control flow may be followed from any node except for an explicit Fork Node. To restrict flow on a control flow, add a guard.
Condition 4. A Decision node is used to explicitly model a decision being made. A Merge node, which uses the same syntax is used when the potential flows are combined back into one.
Condition 5. A Fork node is used to concurrently execute multiple nodes, while a Join node, using the same syntax is used to wait for all incoming flows to become available and leave with a single flow. Condition 6. There is no allowance for concurrently executing only some outputs from a node for UML Activities. If you needed this you would need to add later control flows with the appropriate guards. Condition 7. A Call Behavior Action is used when behavior needs to be further decomposed by referring to an external activity.
Condition 8. Activity elements are used when behavior needs to be further decomposed without referring to an external activity.
BPMN Business Process Condition 1. The starting point is defined by a Start Event. This implies a specific cause for the Activity to start, although it may be unspecified. Condition 2. The basic behavior unit in an Activity is the Activity element. A number of different Task Types are available. These typically describe different methods of execution (for example Manual) as opposed to what happens.
Condition 3. A Sequence Flow is used to connect the elements on a Business Process diagram. These differ from UML Activity diagrams in that all valid sequence flows are taken by default. To restrict flow on a sequence flow set the Condition Type to expression and the Condition Expression.
Condition 4. A Gateway node set to Exclusive is used when a single path must be selected. It is also used to combine the potential flows again. A direction may be specified as Converging or Diverging to explicitly select between the two modes.
Condition 5. A Gateway node set to Parallel is used to explicitly model concurrent execution of multiple nodes. It is also used to wait for all incoming flows to become available and leave with a single flow. A direction may be specified as Converging or Diverging to explicitly select between the two modes.
Condition 6. A Gateway node set to Inclusive is used to explicitly model the situation where all outgoing flows with a true condition are executed concurrently.
Condition 7. Activity elements are set as CallActivity Sub-Process when behavior needs to be further decomposed by referring to an external activity.
Condition 8. Activity elements are set as an Embedded Sub-Processwhen behavior needs to be further decomposed without referring to an external activity.
After analyzing the main features of the activity meta-model
elements' representation and possibilities in different modeling
languages and notation, moving in detailed analysis of Business
Process Modeling and Notation elements [
BPMN has additional objects that are more detailed than the abstraction level. Some elements are used just like explaining the main ones.
There compose schema from activity meta-model class Cmodel elements, black color, with all BPMN elements, red color, shown in Fig. 2. The main focus is on how the elements used in the BPMN notation complement the activity meta-model. Although a large number of objects overlap in meta-models, such as a pool or lane match to the actor, the process matches the function in the activity meta-model, but elements such as sequence flow types or event types can more accurately convey the informative nature and use of the element itself.
Assumed, that some elements of meta-model and BPMN elements match, like “Events”, “Actor” with “Pool”, “Actor of Process” or “Actor of Function” with “Lane”, “Function” with “Process”, “Material Flow” with “Message Flow”, “Information Flow” with “Sequence Flow” or “Data Object”, “Processing Access Input” with “Data Inputs”, “Processing Access Outputs” with “Data Outputs”, “Information Activity” with “Task”, “Activity Rules” and “Gateways”. Other elements from BPMN can partly change in meta-model or be complementary.
Elements, from the activity meta-model, in the development of the activity model BPMN notation, can be displayed with a certain sequence or according to certain rules. In order to reduce the empiricity of the element and its related elements, a macrolevel algorithm is created, in Fig. 1. Fig. 2. (a), (b), (c) and (d) parts combine BPMN elements addition to activity meta-model. See the next column.
This algorithm can be applied to any element of the activity meta-model, which is required to represent the BPMN notation. The basic principle is that the desired element is represented by an element from the BPMN and it is checked that it may still have other related elements needed to generate the activity model. This allows to create business models no matter what kind of element.
For the second step in the main algorithm, there is created element activity selection algorithm shown in Fig. 3. There are many types of activity in BPMN notation, so this algorithm helps to choose one of them. In each step of the iteration, the (c) (d) check is carried out and, if the condition is satisfied, the desired type of activity is displayed. Otherwise, further steps are taken until the desired element is found. The test sequence is consistent and the type of activity is selected, the operation of this algorithm is stopped, the work is completed.
Experiment is made for both algorithms. For more details in the next subsections.
Fig. 3. (a) part is the beginning of element "Activity" type selection algorithm and (b) part is the end of element "Activity" type selection algorithm.
To test Algorithm for the representation of the activity meta-model element BPMN proper operation, there is created prototype. User interface is executed using Microsoft Access 2016 program. BPMN element is displayed in MagicDraw 18.1 tool.
There is given a real example “Close Auction” Fig 4. At first, it is chosen element, Fig. 5. Whole cycle of the main algorithm is executes – select the element, represent the element in BPMN, select others related elements, control if there are enough related elements and if the link is assigned among elements. The last step of the algorithm is carried out in
Element “Activity” is complex element and has many types, in different hierarchy level. Algorithm shown in Fig, 3 realization is made in internet expert system platform ES-Builder Web. The value returned by the expert system (satisfies the condition that one element is selected) is the selection of the "Activity" type element, the activity meta-model element BPMN notation algorithm is executed at the beginning, that is, when the element of the activity model element is selected and assigned to it the element corresponding to the BPMN. Expert system is in the www.mcgoo.com platform (note, it is in Lithuanian language).
OMG-based modeling languages UML and SysML are graph-oriented, notation languages. UML can be used to define high-level architectures, detailed imaging, modeling of applications and user interactions in an early life cycle. For more detailed architecture, SysML is used.
When comparing the BPMN Activity Diagram with the UML Activity Diagram, it is concluded that these notions provide the same solutions and very similar graphical representations of forms to many models. The BPMN has fewer essential objects and the potential complexity of creating business process diagrams; no significant difference is the terminology.
The elements of the activity meta-model can be displayed both in elements of the UML modeling language and in the main elements of the BPMN notation. However, depending on the level of detail of the field or model in question, the underlying elements may not be sufficient.
After examining all the elements in the BPMN notation, it can be concluded that some of the values of these elements correspond to the elements used in the activity meta-model. In addition, the BPMN elements have types, expanded values, which can more accurately convey the specifics of the business model being developed.
In order to reduce the empiricity of the development of a business model, a basic algorithm has been developed that shows how the sequence can be represented by the activity
Fig. 6. Element Bidder display for excaple “Close Auction”. model element in the BPMN notation. A detailed selection of possible variations of one element "Activities" has also been developed. "Activity" type selection is made from all variants of the BPMN notation.
The experiment used to create the Microsoft Access 2016 user interface program, the MagicDraw 18.1 tool to implement BPMN charts, and an interactive expert development platform for setting the "Activity" type of the ES-Builder Web element.
The experiment was conducted with the example of the chosen subject area. It was verified that the invented tool - the prototype, according to the activity meta-model element RPMN notation algorithm, in a semi-automated way, can generate the activity model BPMN notation.
Interactive:
January 12 d.
Interactive: Documents Associated With Business Process Definition MetaModel (BPDM), Version 1.0. 2008 November 4 d. Interactive: http://www.omg.org/spec/BPDM/1.0/.
MDA architekturos esminis elementas. 2013. Interactive: http://kursiniai.blogspot.lt/2013/09/mda-architekturos-esminiselementas.html.
Veitaite, I., Lopata, A. (2015) Additional Knowledge Based MOF Architecture Layer for UML Models Generation Process. Business Information Systems Workshops, vol. 228, p. 56-63.
Interactive:
Interactive: