Workflow Modeling and Process Management

Workflow systems seek to provide an implementation vehicle for complex, re- curring business processes. Notwithstanding this common objective, there are a variety of distinct features offered by commercial workflow management systems. These differences result in significant variations in the ability of distinct tools to represent and implement the plethora of requirements that may arise in contem- porary business processes.

This document describes how the Bonita workflow implements the 20 workflow patterns defined by X.Van der Halst. Each pattern is described with an example showing how to implement the pattern using Bonita workflow.

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a BPMN-based process modeling tool to encourage business/IT collaboration via clutter free, drag-and-drop process flowchart design

In this document we will explain how to diagram the modeling patterns proposed by Professor Van Der Aalst using the Bizagi Process Modeler. These patterns are very useful to model different situations in real business processes.

Differences in features supported by the various contemporary commercial workflow management systems point to different insights of suitability and different levels of expressive power. The challenge, which we undertake in this paper, is to systematically address workflow requirements, from basic to complex. Many of the more complex requirements identified, recur quite frequently in the analysis phases of workflow projects, however their implementation is uncertain in current products. Requirements for workflow languages are indicated through workflow patterns.

The research work of Wil van der Aalst, Arthur ter Hofstede, Bartek Kiepuszewski, and Alistair Barros has resulted in the identification of 21 patterns that describe the behavior of business processes. This paper reviews how two graphical process modeling notations, the BPMN Business Process Diagram from the Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI), and the UML 2.0 Activity Diagram from the Object Management Group (OMG), can represent the workflow patterns. The solutions of the two notations are compared for technical ability to represent the patterns as well as their readability.

Business Process Analysis (BPA) tool supporting business process management allowing process modeling, analysis, simulation, evaluation, publishing and automation. Freeware Community Edition available.