3. ESSENTIAL PROCESS MODELING

Question 1

3 properties of the model

Answer 1

1. mapping (of a real world phenomenon)
2. abstraction (relevant aspects discussed, irrelevant ones ignored)
3. purpose (determined by aspects of reality being omitted)

Question 2

Components of a modeling language

Answer 2

-vocabulary (set of modeling elements)
-syntax (how elements can be combined)
-semantics (bind elements to a precise meaning)
-notation (set of graphical symbols for the visualization of events)

Question 3

Business process model and notation BPMN and purposes

Answer 3

-process modeling language
-used for 2 purposes:
1. organizational design - conceptual
2. application system design -executable

Question 4

4 core elements od BPMN

Answer 4

1. activities (imperative verb+noun)
2. events (noun+past participle verb)
3. sequence glows
4. gateways

Question 5

gateways

Answer 5

-XOR gateways:
*capture exclusive decision points (XOR-split)
*indicate where alternative flows are merged
(XOR-join)

-AND gateways:
* provide a mechanisms to create (AND-split)
* synchronize (AND-join) parallel flows

-OR gateways:
* provide a mechanisms to create (OR-split)
* synchronize (OR-join) n out of m parallel flows

Question 6

business objects

Answer 6

• Data objects: information or material flowing in (or out) of activities

-Data associations: directed (input/output) vs. undirected
(handover)

• Data stores: contain data objects that need to be persisted

Question 7

Resources

Answer 7

• Active resources –> that can autonomously perform an activity
• Resource class –> group of resources that are interchangeable

BPMN elements: pool, lane

Question 8

BPMN elements-resources

Answer 8

-pool: captures a resource class
-lane: captures a subclass within a resource class

Question 9

Process decomposition

Answer 9

-subprocess: self-contained, composite activity that can be divided into smaller units of work

-task: atomic activity capturing a unit of work that cannot be further broken
down

-rule of thumb: decompose a process model into multiple ones if the model has more
than 30 flow objects

Question 10

hierarchical process model

Answer 10

level 1: core business activities

level 2: decision points and/or fine-grained activities

level 3: exceptions and details (process automation)

Question 11

global process model

Answer 11

Model not embedded with any process model –> as such can be invoked by other models within the same collection
(collapsed sub-process activity with a thicker border)