CHapter 2: Process modeling Part 2 Flashcards

1
Q

what is process modeling?

A

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
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2
Q

Can IS handle ambiguity?

A

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

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3
Q

Why do we develop process models?

A

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.

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4
Q

In what stages during development is process modeling applied?

A

In the analysis stage, we describe the environment. Also used in the design stage to represent the processing of information within the system itself.

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5
Q

what is process?

A
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

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6
Q

Initial state

A

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?)

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7
Q

Reachable statevs. unreachable state

A

a reachable state is a state that can be reached starting from the initial state after a number of transitions

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8
Q

Final state

A

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

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9
Q

Process path

A

A sequence of states that can be reached starting from the initial state after zero or more transitions

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10
Q

System behavior

A

the set of all possible process paths is called the behavior of the system

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11
Q

. Difference between a process and a project?

A

Project -> one time

Process -> many time execution

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12
Q

difference between a process and a procedure

A

Procedure-> how these activities are being executed exactly

Process -> what happens?

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13
Q

link between process and system

A

Process is what happens within a system: the system activities
Common objective of cooperating elements: end result of process = end-state of system

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14
Q

link between process and model

A

A model may represent or simulate the system activities

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15
Q

what are different levels of processes?

A

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

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16
Q

Static system vs dynamic system?

A

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

17
Q

A process is defined as discrete. What does that mean?

A

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

18
Q

Process modeling concepts

A
  • 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
19
Q

What are the special states?

A

Initial state, reachable state vs unreachable state, final state

20
Q

deterministic vs non-deterministic system

A

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

21
Q

standardized vs non-standardized process

A

Standardized -> exactly determined how a process is or has to be executed
- there are different degrees of standardization

22
Q

. why would you standardize processes?

A
  • guarantee certain level of quality
    Guarantee a fluent execution, reduce waiting time
    Improve efficiency and effectiveness of processes
23
Q

. Is deterministic the same as standardized?

A

NO, deterministic is the sequence of state is the same, but not necessarily standardized.

24
Q

What does it mean to be described as a transition system?

A

A model of a business process needs to describe the state space and transition relation of the business process

25
Q

Difference between data model and process model

A

Data model: - Mechanism of creating a data model for an information system

  • describes in a compact way the state space of a business process
    o Entity-relationship diagram (UML)
    o Process state = entities, relationships, attributes

Process model: - Mechanism of classifying the similar processes together into a model
- Describes in a compact way the transition relation of a business process

26
Q

Process aware vs database systems

A

Database system:

  • Store data
  • Allow to update data by means of a user interface or a database application
  • Allow to retrieve data or information by means of a user interface or a database application

Process aware information system:
- IS which are aware of the process they support
- Their operation is supported by the process model
- Process engine
- Ex: workflow management systems
o IS that manages and defines a series of tasks within an organization to produce a final outcome
o Allows to define different workflows for different types of jobs or processes

27
Q

What is process modeling a tool for?

A
  • To build IS
  • Communication tool
  • Documentation too
  • Tool for business process management
    o Systematic tool to analyze business processes from management perspective
     Improving, streamlining, optimizing, redesigning, re-engineering, controlling
  • Why is this important?
    o In business its all about becoming effective and efficient and these process models help in that
28
Q

Traditionally, how are organizations structured?

A

There are different layers of management
- SILO structure
o Strategical -> making long-term decisions (what products to sell? To which customers? IN which markets?
o Tactical -> middle management -> translating what the top level management is asking us to do into operational decision making
o Operational -> day-to-day decision making (telling people what to do on a daily basis)
- Organizations are structured following types of activity and responsibility
o Sales
o Finance
o Product design
o R&D
o Production

29
Q

What is business process management?

A

approach where business processes are defined and documented, implemented and measured such that they can be continuously improved in a structured way
- improving the efficiency and effectiveness of how people cooperate and collaborate in an organization

30
Q

What is Lean

A
  • Used to be a popular business process management model or philosophy
  • Developed by Toyota to further improve how it was producing
  • Basic principles:
    o Identify value -> all about creating value and profit
     What is value? It is everything a customer is willing to pay for
    o Identify value stream
     Process
     Similar to value chain model but more detailed
    o Process improvement: remove waste
    o Support customer pull
     Versus supplier push
     If someone needs something, they will pull it
     Just in time: avoid stock
     Only produce what is asked by customer
    o Strive for perfection: Kaizen principle
31
Q

What is the Kaizen principle?

A
  • Kai- change or the action to correct
  • Zen- good
  • Kaizen- continuous improve process, activity focusing on
    o Productivity improvement
    o Humanize the workplace
    o Eliminate overly hard work (physical and mental)
    o Recognizing and eliminating waste in a business process
     How can I improve productivity?
     How can I other improve my productivity?
32
Q

What is six sigma?

A
  • A way to manage a business
    o Putting customers first (deliver as promised with constant quality)
    o Using facts and data
    o Producing major returns on investments
    o Focusing on: improving customer satisfaction, reducing cycle time, reducing defects
33
Q

. What is process mining?

A
  • Constructing process models

- From event logs

34
Q

What are event logs?

A
  • Traces from activities produced by information systems (ERPs)
  • Log files
  • Audit trails