9. Process-Aware Information Systems

Question 1

To which element of the BPM lifecycle does Process-Aware Information Systems belongs?

Answer 1

Process implementation

Question 2

What are the 2 major categories of PAIS?

Answer 2

domain-specific
domain-agnostic

Question 3

What’s an automated business process?

Answer 3

process that is automated in whole or in part by a software system, which passes information from one participant to another for action

Question 4

Name 4 domain-specific PAIS

Answer 4

ERP: Enterprise resource planning
CRM: Customer relationship management
SCM: Supply chain management
PLM: Product lifecycle management

Question 5

Name 3 domain-agnostic PAIS

Answer 5

Issue tracking systems (Jira)
Document Management Systems (DMS)
Business process management systems (BPMS)

Question 6

Name the 4 BPMS types:

Answer 6

Production workflow systems: explicitly defined process descriptions captured in process models

Case management systems: implicit process models are used, which capture a conventional flow and from which users can deviate (unless this is explicitly prohibited).

Ad-hoc workflow systems:
- Allow on-the-fly process definitions that can be created and modified the latter is possible even if there is already a predefined process to deal with a specific case type;
- Two major requirements: system users need to (1) be aware of the processes in which they operate and (2) have access to sophisticated process modeling tools (and be capable of modeling).

Groupware systems:
Two underlying principles are that users are enabled to (1) easily share documents and information and (2) directly communicate with other users

Question 7

What are 4 advantages of using BPMS systems?

Answer 7

• Workload reduction
• Flexible system integration
• Execution transparency
• Rule enforcement

Question 8

What are the 5 components of a BPMS architecture?
Draw the diagram

Answer 8

1. Execution engine: creates executable process instances & monitors progress of different cases
2. Process modeling tool
3. Admin and monitoring tools: administrate all operational matters. are equipped with with process monitoring functionality. Keeps record of execution logs
4. Worklist handler: Also called “Inbox”. process participants are offered work items and commit to these
5. External service

Check notes

Question 9

What are some of the challenges of BPMS?

Answer 9

Technical:
- General design of existing applications
- Lack of process awareness

Organizational:
- Balancing of stakeholder interests
- Dynamic nature of organizations
- Staff concerns and fears

Question 10

What’s the “well known gap”? Why it happens?

Answer 10

Is the gap between the “to-be” process models & executable process models

It happens because:
- domain experts vs it experts
- understandable by humans vs machines
- room for interpretation vs unambiguous

Question 11

Which is the 5 step method for turning process models into executable ones

Answer 11

1. Identify the automation boundaries
2. Review manual tasks
3. Complete the process model
4. Bring the process model to an adequate level of granularity
5. Specify execution properties