I'm using BPMN2.0 meta-model to represent process models. I cannot find any attributes to keep execution historic. I'm wondering if actually BPMN 2.0 does not support that, or if something escapes me?
In other words, my question is: is it possible to represent execution historic with BPMN 2.0 meta-model? if yes, how?
Thank you for your help.
BPMN supports the Elements Auditing and Monitoring. They are meant to be hooks for auditing and monitoring related properties. For the definition of such properties the extensibility mechanism is to be used. Actual definitions are out of the scope of the specification. So, the answer is, that BPMN supports this, but leaves the details to the user or the tool vendors.
Related
What's the difference between Camunda and BPEL (Business Process Expression Language) and Where do we use Camunda and where do we use BPEL and which one is better?
I found this question, but BPMN != Camunda. So where is the difference between Camunda and BPEL?
Please see Jan's comment. The thread you already found is already good. You need to compare the two modelling standards, not an engine product and a standard.
BPEL was popular in SOA times, for service orchestration in full automated processes. BPEL can be excuted by a BPEL engine. There are different products offering this capability.
Early plans to be able to map BPMN 1.0 (Notation only, no model) mostly failed. This was one motivation for BPMN 2.0, which also standardases the model, not only the notation. Due to its block orientation and lack of support for human tasks BPEL did not cover all BPM/Workflow requirements. I would say BPEL is dying if not already dead. I would not spend time on it today. Of course that is a personal, biased opinion.
BPMN 2.0 on the other hand is a mature OMG standard, stable since 2014, works for a variety of process management and automation needs and has a wide and growing adoption.
Camunda offers process engine products, which interpret and execute process models based on the BPMN 2.0 standard. There are other product, which also use this modelling standard. engine specific attributes for process automation beyond the standard may differ between vendors. It depends on how closely the vendors are implementing the standard. See for instance https://www.omgwiki.org/bpmn-miwg/doku.php
Does anyone know if there is a free online tool available to create BPMN files except bpmn.io?
I have been using BPMN io for a while, and it does not allow me to change the task/event's ID from the GUI. Because of this, I have to do this manually. But it's not practical when there is a large number of events/tasks. Can someone tell me if there is a free online alternative for bpmn.io that can change the event's ID or if there is a way to change the id in bpmn.io? Did a background check on this and couldn't find one.
There is also the offering from Camunda - Camunda Web Modeler (CaWeMo). I don't think it does what you are asking though. I didn't think event IDs were part of the BPMN specification, since they are likely more about implementation than modeling, but I've not actually looked into the BPMN specification that deeply.
If the one you are using exports in a format that you find useful, you could update the event nodes as a post processing step.
You can try using https://kiegroup.github.io/kogito-online/#/editor/bpmn for bpmn authoring.
Can somebody please guide me whether there is an overview (diagram?) showing which language elements map onto each other (or a construct in the other language) and which are unique in either BPMN or YAWL?
Can somebody please tell me which YAWL elements are not mapped onto BPMN elements and vice versa?
References: Aside from the two respective defining foundations, all I find is in-depth info is a research paper on Transformation of BPMN to YAWL (which is one-way).
Migrating YAWL files (*.ywl) to BPMN 2.0 schema files
Daniela Cristina Cascini Peixoto et. al.: A Comparison of BPMN and UML 2.0 Activity Diagrams
Workflow languages?
Map bpmn to wsdl
Which of these technology to use for BPM / Workflow engine? Any comparison of features?
Map bpmn to wsdl
Disclaimer: I am fluent in BPM (in particular BPMN), as well as graph theory in general, but I am new to YAWL.
M.F. found the a manuscript by
J.-H. Ye & S. Ye: Bidirectional mapping between YAWL and BPMN. We both do not have access to the manuscript (yet), but the abstract looks promising.
The modeling language mapping between BPMN and YAWL was researched. The transformation benefited the choice of different modeling languages and reduced duplication of development costs. As a proof of concept, the algorithm was implemented, and two open-sources plug-in called BPMN2YAWL and YAWL2BPMN are available in ProM6.0.
Source: Researchgate.net: Bidirectional mapping between YAWL and BPMN
There is a YAWL XML format definition which can be compared with the BPMN XML format definition.
[The YAWL Usergroup] would also like to point you to Apromore and a related discussion in the YAWL User Group Forum:
There is an XSD file that specifies the YAWL XML format
There is a tool called apromore which converts BPMN or other formats into the YAWL XML format.
Intro
The company I work in (it is an intern-like position though, until I am done with university) recently implemented an automated warehouse solution, where goods are transported by means of autonomous shuttles. The basic functions of the shuttles are controlled by onboard electronics (microcontroller), routing through the warehouse racking is done by software solution which in turn communicates with our ERP solution. Effectively the ERP solution handles the whole warehousing.
Task
There are well documented processes for every of the four layers (operator who loads the the shuttles, shuttle itself, routing, ERP) individually. But since we kind of puzzled all four of them together to one solution (which was kind of new to all of the participating companies), there are only vague, on-the-flyish process descriptions involving all four layers available.
Now I have been tasked to come up with a solution to illustrate the processes at work.
Example
ERP signals goods in demand at assembly station A1
Warehouse operator looks at screen and starts loading boxes to be picked up by
shuttle
Warehouse operator puts in details into ERP, such as count/weight, box number,
...
Warehouse operator clears boxes for pick-up (by confirming inputs in ERP)
ERP generates transport order
ERP sends transport order to routing software
Routing software sends telegram to shuttle control
Shuttle control turns wheels and asks for directions to pick up boxes
...
Question
As mentioned, I have to graphically represent the kind of processes similar to the one shown in the (easy and not complete) example above. I need to incorporate the operator's actions as well as basic communication between shuttle, routing software and ERP.
Since I attended a course on BPMN at university it came to mind immediately. But now, after immersing myself into information about BPMN for several hours I still can't conclusively tell if BPMN helps my efforts or just further complicates the whole thing.
Is BPMN the right tool for my purpose?
Disclaimer
I am not a Business Analyst. I have looked at alternatives to BPMN (simple flowcharts, activity diagrams, ...) but they don't seem to fit.
Just putting together the existing processes for every respective layer yields no result, owing to the different and sometimes too detailed process descriptions.
Edit
The ERP is SAP ERP 6.0 EHP7 with integrated WMS component.
TL;DR: use the notation you would be implement process in, i.e. choose BPMS, not BPMN.
The notation itself means nothing unless it has proper tool for modelling and further process implementation aka BPMS. You can find dozens of comparisons (e.g. BPMN vs EPC or BPMN vs BPEL), however they won't help you unless you have clear understanding where and how you will be implement you modeled process.
Generally speaking, EPC is used for more high-level view of the process, whereas BPMN is utilized for more fine-grained view, where all technical details of communications between peers can be described. However, it depends.
I also recommend you to review this table
and answer the question to yourself whether your process changes (in)frequently or not, and whether you need separate BPM tool.
How I see it from your description: you have four participants (four layers), which are four lanes in BPMN terms, and they are collaborating/communicating with each other during the process. Generally speaking, this fits to BPMN application area, but personally I feel that you should stick your ERP tooling. I don't know which ERP you use, but every serious ERP solution includes tool for process customization. For example, SAP has Workflow,
which can widely enhance and extend existing processes within SAP. Probably, your ERP have it too.
Again, it's not clear which warehouse management system you use and if it is integrated to your ERP. It seems to be not, and it seems to be some old legacy system, because of which you start re-modelling the stuff. In this particular case it might me wiser to acquire special advanced warehouse management package (take a look at SAP's EWM features as an example) which can cover most of your requirements.
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but here goes.
I'm currently looking into some different techniques to model a business proces. I need to find a suitable option for my company which develops all kind of web applications.
What i have found so far:
UML, specificly the activity diagrams
Flow charts
Windows workflow foundation
Business process modeling
I had a dive into the world of workflows but it's mainly about automating a process of a company and thats not what I'm looking for. My focus is on software and the process within.
If anyone else knows some other technique or can tell me the advantages or disadvanteges of the techniques I allready found that would be much appreciated because I'm a little stuck right now.
Right now BPMN (Business Process Modeling Notation) and UML activity diagrams are the two most popular options for that.
I think of BPMN as the right choice when you are modeling the business aspects of the organization and move to Activity Diagrams as soon as you drill down to the technical design of the software system (as a core component of the UML language, activity diagrams are a better fit when having to combine workflow information with other views of the system, expressed also as UML diagrams like class diagrams or sequence diagrams).
Note that now a UML profile for BPMN is being created which means that you will be able to mix BPMN and UML diagrams in the same project
I suggest you consider ISO/IEC 24744. It will give you a very different perspective, since it does not use the ubiquitous "organisation as machine" metaphor, going for a more opportunistic, people-oriented viewpoint.
In other words, ISO/IEC 24744 does not represent a business process as a workflow where the process to follow is the driver. Instead, a business process is represented through the work products that are involved and the people that act upon them. The process performed plays an important but secondary role.
If you are interested in why this is so, or what the advantages are, let me know and I'll be happy to elaborate.
I think you are asking about transforming your business requirements/rules into technical requirements and then into a design? After that you will implement this design into code.
Am not sure if this is what you are asking about..