Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)

Standardized Notation for describing business processes (workflows) What is it? Standardized Notation for describing business processes (workflows) Understandable by all Process Analysts Easy to use Understandable by Developers Compatible with process implementation applications

The Business Analyst will document Workflows for several reasons When is it used? The Business Analyst will document Workflows for several reasons Understanding current processes Identification of productivity gains Describe the proposed process or changes Support creation of the business domain model

Workflows can be detailed from different prospectives Variations Workflows can be detailed from different prospectives Workflow using current automation Workflow as if no automation existed (a true business workflow) Choose the prospective appropriate for reason in creating it

Workflow Diagrams are made up of standard symbol “Elements”: Basics Workflow Diagrams are made up of standard symbol “Elements”: Flow Objects Connecting Objects Swimlanes Artifacts

There are three kinds of Flow Objects Events Activities Gateways

Flow Objects Events Activities Gateways

Simple Workflow Do Activity Done? Yes No

Events are things that “happen” They can trigger an activity to occur Flow Objects - Events Events are things that “happen” They can trigger an activity to occur Ex: “Start Class Registration” They can be the result of an activity Ex: “Registration Completed”

Flow Objects – Activities Activities are the “work” to be performed Examples: Enter Student Name Review Curriculum Choose Classes Attend Classes Take Tests

Flow Objects – Gateways Gateways “control” the divergence and convergence in sequence of activities Examples: Is Student Registered? Is Class Available? Has Student completed pre-requisites? Has Student paid?

There are three kinds of Connecting Objects Sequence Flow Message Flow Association

Connecting Objects Sequence Flow Message Flow Association

There are two kinds of Swimlanes Swimlane Objects There are two kinds of Swimlanes Pools Lanes

Swim Lanes Pool Lanes No Do Activity Done? Yes No Do Activity Done?

There are three kinds of Artifacts Data Object Group Annotation

Artifacts Data Object Group Annotation

Workflow Diagrams Elements can be combined to create workflow diagrams These elements have been used for Business Process Modeling over 30 years

Introducing BPMN 1.0 Several years back, initiatives were started to improve the notation There were several goals: Standardize the newer elements that have become popular Decrease complexity for mapping from diagram elements to code Standardize XML code that backs up the elements These new standardized symbols will be showing up in tools soon

New Elements Activities can now have hierarchy Activities can now have multiple instances Events types now have descriptive elements Gateway types now have descriptive elements Connector types now have descriptive elements A Connector type has been added that includes an integral gateway

Activity Hierarchy In the past we would create separate diagrams for each major process and reference processes to each other Following flow was not always easy A new element has been introduced to allow workflows to have hierarchy Levels are infinite Double clicking on the “+” will open the lower level workflow

Multiple Instances New Activity Element to indicate multiple instances New Activity Element to indicate looping

Event Types The circumference of the event element can now describe “when”

Event Types The center of the event element can now describe “what” Adding a label is no longer needed Notice use of the circumference to indicate start, intermediate, and end

Event Types The new “Intermediate” Event is used to depict a “break” that is outside of the process control

Gateway Types The interior of the Gateway element can now describe “what” Adding an explanation note is no longer needed

Connector Types The line of the Connector element can now describe “what” Adding an explanation note is no longer needed Flow can be Conditional without using a Gateway Element Normal Flow Uncontrolled Flow Conditional Flow Default Flow Message Flow Association

Connector Types New Conditional Flow Element saves space

Connector Types Exception flows can be depicted Compensation flows can be depicted

Example Simple Flow with a Hierarchy

Mapping to Code BPMN Elements can be mapped into an applications code Properties with each element can be edited to map into the database Mapping implements to workflow into the application Workflow can now control and automate the application

Summary BPMN 1.0 adds more powerful elements for use in workflow diagrams Elements are standardized And easier to use Elements can be mapped into an applications code

Thank you