1. An Evaluation Framework for Workflow Modeling Techniques M.Sc. Thesis
Presented by:
Ahmed Mohamed Gamal-Edeen El-Mohamdy
M.Sc. Student
Faculty of Computers and Information,
Cairo University
Under the Supervision of:
Galal Hassan Galal-Edeen, PhD
Head, Department of Information Systems
Cairo, Egypt
February, 2009
Cairo University
Faculty of Computers and Information
Cairo – Egypt
5 Dr. Ahmed Zewail Street, Postal Code: 12613, Orman, Giza, Egypt

2. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References
M.Sc. Thesis Information:
Title: An Evaluation Framework for Workflow Modeling Techniques
Author: Tealeb, A.
Supervisor: Galal-Edeen, G.
Department: Information Systems Department
Year: 2009
City: Cairo, Egypt
Venue: Faculty of Computers and Information, Cairo University
Thesis Type: Master Thesis
Abstract:
Nowadays, the automation of business processes help organizations to achieve their goals easily and efficiently. Workflow Management System (WfMS) is one of the most important IT applications used for managing and automation of business processes. WfMSs help organizations to automate a range of business tasks, and electronically route the right information to the right people at the right time. One of the most important parts of any WfMS is the process modeling which are used to analyze, model and describe business processes. The success of WfMS stands on the quality of the WfMS and the quality of workflow models that can be modeled by using these systems. There are a lot of Workflow Modeling Techniques (WfMTs) such as Petri Net (PNs), Event-driven Process Chains (EPCs), and Unified Modeling Language Activity Diagrams (UML ADs); etc. The aim in this thesis is developing a framework for evaluating and selecting the suitable WfMT. The evaluation framework will help practitioners in the field of workflow modeling to decide and select the most suitable WfMT that suites their case or business process.
Purpose:
This Presentation seeks to provide practitioners and academics in the field of workflow with reviewing the most important issues. Also, we present our suggested framework for evaluating workflow modeling techniques
Keywords:
Workflow Management Systems (WfMSs), Business Process Management Systems (BPMSs), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), XML Process Definition Language (XPDL), Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC)

3. Overview
The continuous need of organizations to manage and automate their business processes has been the motivation for founding the Workflow Management Systems (WfMSs).
WfMSs applied over a number of industries such as:
Banking, Insurance, Health Care, Telecommunication, Manufacturing, etc.
WfMSs provide many benefits for enterprises such as:
Automation of Business & Reduction of paper work.
Process transparency (i.e. monitoring instances in run-time).
Modularity of application systems (i.e. flexible for changes in BPs).
Integration with other application.

4. Definitions
Workflow
“The automation of a business process, in whole or part, during which documents, information or tasks are passed from one participant to another for action, according to a set of procedural rules” (WfMC, 1999).
Workflow Management System (WfMS)
“A system that defines, creates and manages the execution of workflows through the use of software, running on one or more workflow engines, which is able to interpret the process definition, interact with workflow participants and, where required, invoke the use of IT tools and applications” (WfMC, 1999).
“A workflow is a specific representation of a process, which is designed in such a way that the formal coordination mechanisms between activities, applications, and process participants can be controlled by an information system, the so-called workflow management system” (zur Muehlen, 2004).

5. Sample for Workflow Model
Supplier: Receive External Order
Supplier: Credit Check
Supplier: Advanced Shipment Order Process
And
Supplier: Get Order Details
Supplier: Send Supplier Invoice
End
Supplier: Send Order Acknowledgement
Supplier: Receive Internal Order
Supplier: Stock Check
Figure (1) Wf Model using ORACLE Workflow Builder (ORACLE, 2002)

6. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

7. Statement of the Research Problem
The success of a WfMSs stands on the quality of the WfMSs and the quality of Wf models that can be constructed by using these systems (zur Muehlen, 1999).
The process modeling is an important activity of any WfMSs.
There are different WfMTs or formalisms used to model BPs such as:
Petri Nets (PNs)
Event-driven Processes Chains (EPCs)
Unified Modeling Language Activity Diagrams (UML ADs)
Business Process Modeling Notations (BPMNs), etc…
How can we decide selecting one of the above WfMTs?

8. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

9. Overall Aim of the Research
The aim of the thesis is to develop an evaluation framework that helps practitioners in ranking and selecting the most suitable WfMT that suites the case in hand.
Adjust Evaluation Framework
Survey WfMTs
Apply using Case Studies
Construct Evaluation Framework
Figure (2) Research Methodology

10. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

11. Road Map for the Research Figure (3) Road Map for the Research
Start
Research plan
Surveying Workflow Management Systems
Surveying Workflow Modeling Techniques (WFMTs)
WfMC Reference Model
WF Model Characteristics
Case Studies or BPS
Build Evaluation Framework for WFMTs
WFMTs Selection Template
Applying WfMTs Selection Template for BPS
Conclusions & Future work
End
Figure (3) Road Map for the Research

12. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

13. Workflow Literature Workflow History Workflow Terminology
[Office Automation, Image Applications, BPR, Commercial & Scientific WfMSs]
Workflow Terminology
[Wf, WfMS, Activity, Business Process, Process Definition, BPR, BPMS, etc..]
Categories of WfMSs
[Functionality, Deployment, and Process Structure]
WfMS vs. Other Applications
[ERP Applications, Groupware Systems, and BPMSs]
Workflow Standards
[WfMC Reference Model Standard]

14. Workflow Standards Cont.
The WfMC Reference Model focuses on the five interfaces between the workflow enactment service and the tools.
WfMC Reference Model is an architectural representation of a WfMS, identifying the most important system interfaces, developed by the Workflow Management Coalition.
The WfMC Reference Model provides the general architectural framework for the work of the WfMC. It identifies “interfaces” covering, broadly, five areas of functionality between a WfMS and its environment.
· Interface 1 - The import and export of process definitions
· Interface 2 - Interaction with client applications and worklist handler software
· Interface 3 - The invocation of software tools or applications
· Interface 4 - Interoperability between different workflow management systems
· Interface 5 - Administration and monitoring functions
Figure (4) The Workflow Reference Model (adapted from Hollingsworth, 1995)

15. Workflow Modeling Techniques
Workflow Model Concepts
[Case, Task, Work Item, Work List, Activity, Process, Routing, Allocation, and Enactment]
Workflow Modeling Techniques
[PNs, EPCs, UML ADs, and BPMNs]

16. Workflow Modeling Techniques Cont.
Event-driven Process Chains (EPCs)
Petri Nets (PNs)
UML Activity Diagrams (ADs)
Business Process Modeling Notations (BPMNs)
Petri Nets (PNs) describe processes graphically and the semantics is defined formally.
Event-driven Process Chains (EPCs) are considered as a semi-formal and graphical business process modeling language. EPCs use easy understood symbols.
Unified Modeling Language Activity Diagrams (UML ADs) are used for enterprise modeling, workflow modeling, and business process reengineering.
Business Process Modeling Notations (BPMNs) is a standardized graphical notation for drawing BPs in a workflow. BPMN can be easily mapped to Business Process Execution Language (BPEL)
Figure (5) Workflow Modeling Techniques (WfMTs)

17. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

18. Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Philosophy of Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
[Literature Criteria, Case Study Criteria, and WfMTs]
Suggested Evaluation Framework
[Literature Survey Criteria, Case Study Criteria, Measurement of Values, etc…]
Measurements of Values
[Measurement Theory, and Scale Types]
WfMTs Selection Template
[Criterion, Range of Values, Weight, Rate, and Score]
How WfMTs Selection Template works?

19. WF Modeling Techniques
Philosophy of Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Gathering BP Characteristics using WfMTs Selection Template
Ranking & Selecting the most Suitable WfMT
Evaluation Framework
Evaluation Criteria
WF Modeling Techniques
PNs
EPCs
UML ADs
Literature Criteria
Case Study Criteria
BPMNs
Figure (6) Philosophy of Evaluation Framework for WfMTs

20. Suggested Evaluation Framework
Literature Criteria
Orientation
Notations
WF Patterns
WF Perspectives
Analysis Techniques
Graphical
Event
Sequential
Functional
Reachability
Mathematical
Function
Parallel
Informational
Simulation
Others
Choice
Behavioral
Iteration
Organizational
Analysis Types
Validation
Verification
Performance Analysis
Case Study Criteria
Process Structure
User Factors
Case Requirements
Structured
Clarity of Notations
Process Size Support
Semi-Structured
Analytical Wf Model
Wf Model Verification
Ad-hoc/ Dynamic
Wf Documentation
Need Training
Table (1) Suggested Evaluation Framework for WfMTs

21. Measurement of Values Criteria Domain Values Scale Type
Orientation
FS: Full Support HS: High Support
S: Support LS: Low Support
NS: No Support
Ordinal
WF Perspectives
WF Patterns
AN: Available Notation NAN: No Available Notation
Nominal
PP: Possible to Present NPP: Not Possible to Present
Analysis Techniques and Types
Process Structure
User Factors
HU: Hard to Understand NU: Normal to Understand EU: Easy to Understand
Case Requirements
S: Small M: Medium L: Large
Table (2) Criteria Domain Values and Scale Types

22. Sample for Evaluation Framework
PNs
EPCs
UML ADs
BPMNs
Orientation
Literature Criteria
Graphical FS
Mathematical S NS HS
Process Structure
Case Study Criteria
Structured
Semi-Structured LS
Ad-hoc MT EC
Table (3) Sample for Evaluation Framework

23. Mapping EF Measurements into Rate DomainMT
Evaluation Framework Scale
Rate Domain Scale
Numeric Value
FS: Full Support
Excellent Fit 4
HS: High Support
Good Fit 3
S: Support
Fit 2
LS: Low Support
Low Fit 1
NS: No Support
No Fit
Table (4) Sample for Mapping between Evaluation Scale and Rate Domain

24. WfMTs Selection Template
ALTERNATIVES
Decision Model
PNs
EPCs
UML ADs
BPMN
Criterion
Weight
Values
Rating
Score
Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Total 2 4 8 2 4 3 6 1 1 4 4 3 3 1 1 4 4 8 12 5 7 1 1 7 10
Criterion
Criteria = Questions
Criterion 1
Does the Case require WfMT to be mathematically-based?
Criterion 2
What is the Nature of Process?
Values of C1
Description
Yes 1 No
How to Weight a Criterion?
Weight
Description 1
Normal 2
Average 3
Important
Weight = The Importance of Criteria
Score = Weight * Rate
Values of C2
Description
Structured 1
Semi-Structured 2
Ad-hoc
Figure (7) How WfMTs Selection Template works?

25. WfMTs Selection Template Cont.
Figure (8) WfMTs Selection Template – Decision Matrix

26. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

27. Case Study Work Case Study Activities Case Study Results
[Identifying BPs, Analyzing BP using WfMTs Selection Template, Determine Tools that support each WfMT, and Remarks on Applying WfMTs for BPs]
Case Study Results
WfMTs Selection Template – Business Rules

28. Case Study Activities
The BPS are Configuration Management Process, Opportunity Management Process, and Request Management Process.
There are a unified number of steps for each BP to reach Wf model:
History of BP (Organization; Field; other issues).
Analyze the BP and recognizing its activities, resources, documents, process nature, etc.
Applying the WfMTs Selection Template to facilitate the choice of WfMT that suites each case.
Determine the tools needed to model BPs. Tools are Workflow Petri Net Designer (WoPeD), EPC Tools, Enterprise Architect, and BizAgi Process Modeler supports PNs, EPCs, UML ADs, and BPMNs respectively.
Applying all WfMTs for each BP as an empirical application.
Get the results of applying the Evaluation Framework for WfMTs for BPs.

29. Case Study Results Applied WfMTs Selection Template for BPs.
The WfMTs Selection Template – Decision Matrix Business Rules was developed.
The importance of Criterion (i.e. Weight) inside the Evaluation Framework differs from one case to another based on situation.
The idea presented in WfMTs Selection Template – Decision Matrix is formulated through an easy tool.

30. WfMT Selection – Business Rules
Figure (9) WfMTs Selection Template – Decision Matrix Business Rules

31. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

32. Research Limitations
All applied cases for the evaluation framework were in IT.
Workflow modeling tools may affect the result of the evaluation framework. The framework is used for evaluating the workflow modeling techniques only.
Most of the criteria that the evaluation framework is based on, are limited to the design of workflow model only.

33. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

34. Conclusions & Future Work
- Verification of Wf model is very important at design-time.
The importance of each Criterion inside the Evaluation Framework differs from one case to another based on situation.
Easy mechanism for user in order to Rank and Select the suitable WfMT that fit BP or Case in hand.
For Future Work; Generalizing the framework depends on:
Applying it on different BPs with different domains such as Education, Manufacturing, etc.
Investigate more properties for the WfMTs and adding other criteria for the Evaluation Framework. These may come from Wf automation.

35. Publications based on Thesis
Tealeb, A., and Galal-Edeen, G. H. (2007). “Surveying Workflow Modeling Techniques”, In the 14th Scientific Conference on Information Systems and Computer Technologies: Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) On CDROM, February 2007, Cairo.
Tealeb, A., and Galal-Edeen, G. H. (2007). “Towards An Evaluation Framework For Workflow Modeling Techniques”, In Proceedings of the 37th International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering (ICC&IE) On CDROM, In M. H. Elwany & A. B. Eltawil (Eds.), October 20-23, Alexandria, Egypt, pp

36. Outline Overview Statement of the Research Problem
Overall Aim of the Research
Road Map for the Research
Workflow Literature
Evaluation Framework for WfMTs
Case Study Work
Research Limitations
Conclusions & Future Work
References

37. Selected References
Aalst, W.M.P. van der. (1998). "The Application of Petri Nets to Workflow Management", The Journal of Circuits, Systems and Computers, Vol (8), No (1), pp Aalst, W.M.P. van der, and Hee, K.M. van. (2002). "Workflow Management: Models, Methods, and Systems"; pp , MIT Press Cambridge, Massachusetts London, England. Hollingsworth, D. (1995), "Workflow Management Coalition: The Workflow Reference Model"; Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC), TC , Winchester, UK. [Available at ORACLE. (2002). “Fundamentals of Workflow", In Course of eBusiness Overview Course Materials. Reijers, H.A. (2002). "Design and Control of Workflow Processes: Business Process Management for the Service Industry", Ph.D. thesis, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands. WfMC. (1999). "Workflow Management Coalition Terminology & Glossary"; WfMC-TC-1011, Issue (3.0) Draft, Winchester, UK. [Available at zur Muehlen, M. (1999). "Evaluation of Workflow Management Systems Using Meta Models", In the Proceedings of the 32nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), Wailea, HI. EndNote for Thesis

38. Your questions and comments are welcome?

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