CHapter 2: Process modeling Part 2 Flashcards
what is process modeling?
It is a tool to develop IS -> a systematic approach to analyzing:
- the environment of where the system takes place
- end-user expectancies
- interface with current system and processes
- transforming or processing input data to end-user information
In order to allow
- identification of requirements (functional vs non-functional)
- identification of information and data processing needs
Can IS handle ambiguity?
No, IS cannot handle ambiguity.
A systems developer needs to be told exactly what the program should do so that the system functions correctly and is aligned with the business needs
Why do we develop process models?
To rigorously analyze the full operational environment of the system that is to be developed
To formally and unambiguously describe into detail the environment, facilitating communication and discussion as well as analysis and decision making.
In what stages during development is process modeling applied?
In the analysis stage, we describe the environment. Also used in the design stage to represent the processing of information within the system itself.
what is process?
Common elements : - chain or sequence of activities - transformation o input to output o according to rules and procedures o use resources - scoped o has clear end objectives (end-to-end) o initiated and terminated by one or more events o often cross-functional - predefined, measurable output: product or service delivered to stakeholders
What are activities?
An activity represents work that a company or organozation performs using business processes
Initial state
the state in which the system starts operating, the state at the beginning of the first activity taking place in the system; such an initial state does not always exist (e.g., what was the first season?)
Reachable statevs. unreachable state
a reachable state is a state that can be reached starting from the initial state after a number of transitions
Final state
a state from which no further transitions are possible (even not to itself); not every system has a final state: there is likely no final season
Process path
A sequence of states that can be reached starting from the initial state after zero or more transitions
System behavior
the set of all possible process paths is called the behavior of the system
. Difference between a process and a project?
Project -> one time
Process -> many time execution
difference between a process and a procedure
Procedure-> how these activities are being executed exactly
Process -> what happens?
link between process and system
Process is what happens within a system: the system activities
Common objective of cooperating elements: end result of process = end-state of system
link between process and model
A model may represent or simulate the system activities
what are different levels of processes?
Perspective!
Ex: Ageas
Lowest level perspective -> operating procedure
Then -> operational process
Then -> value chain
Then -> product/customer segment
At the top level perspective -> company/business line
Static system vs dynamic system?
A process is dynamic -> things happen and activities are taking place
The state of the system changes as a result of activities (possibly external) taking place during the process
Ex: order is made, credit of customer is checked, order is paid
A process is defined as discrete. What does that mean?
The state of a system is defined as a discrete variable, and as such the state of a system changes in discrete steps
Discretization is a simplification , which allows easier modeling, comprehension, communication, handling etc : seasons, credit ratings
- depends on the modelers perspective and objective of building the model
Categorization
Process modeling concepts
- state space of a system -> discrete nature of process
o set of all possible states - state transition of a system: -> dynamic nature or process
o during a transition a system changes from one state to another
o fully determined by the state space and transition relation - transition relation
o set of allowed transitions
What are the special states?
Initial state, reachable state vs unreachable state, final state
deterministic vs non-deterministic system
Deterministic -> a state has at most one outgoing transition relation (ex: summer -> fall -> winter -> spring)
Non-deterministic -> there is at least one state that has two or more outgoing transition relations (order placed -> a. order not accepted b. order accepted
standardized vs non-standardized process
Standardized -> exactly determined how a process is or has to be executed
- there are different degrees of standardization
. why would you standardize processes?
- guarantee certain level of quality
Guarantee a fluent execution, reduce waiting time
Improve efficiency and effectiveness of processes
. Is deterministic the same as standardized?
NO, deterministic is the sequence of state is the same, but not necessarily standardized.
What does it mean to be described as a transition system?
A model of a business process needs to describe the state space and transition relation of the business process
