L9 - Process-Oriented System Integration Flashcards
What are the two main goals of process-oriented system integration?
Explain major concepts related to process-oriented SI.
Introduce a design framework and languages for modeling and execution of process integration.
What is a key characteristic of service-oriented integration?
It enables isolated, one-to-one interactions among integrated applications/systems/services.
Why is service-oriented integration not ideal for complex system integration?
Because it is stateless and does not support predefined, ordered interactions in a stateful environment.
What type of integration is needed for complex, ordered interactions between systems?
Process-oriented integration.
When is process-oriented integration required?
When complex interactions between systems require a predefined order and cross-functional collaboration.
What could happen if organizations do not support process-oriented integration efficiently?
They could lose their competitive advantage.
How does Davenport (1993) define a business process?
“A specific ordering of work activities across time and place, with a beginning and an end, and clearly defined inputs and outputs; a structure of action.”
What is process-oriented system integration?
It defines a process-based integration model that enables automatic ordering of information movement between systems.
How do Rummler & Brache (1995) define a business process?
A series of steps designed to produce a product or service. Most processes are cross-functional, spanning the white spaces between the boxes on the organization chart.”
What is another definition of a business process?
A set of interrelated or interacting activities that use inputs to deliver an intended result, such as a product, service, or value-added outcome, to an internal or external customer.
What are two advantages of process-oriented system integration?
Aligns IT and business naturally by following business processes.
Offers flexible and reusable integration solutions by placing control logic above applications.
What are two disadvantages of process-oriented system integration?
It is time and resource consuming to set up.
Process logic needs to be defined, and existing systems may require reengineering
What are the four main phases of process-oriented system integration?
Modeling
Integration
Execution and Monitoring
Optimization
What is the goal of the Modeling phase?
To design a process model that enables flow-oriented integration of existing systems.
How does graphical notation help in modeling?
It provides an efficient way for communication, consensus building, and a business-oriented view of integration.
What happens during the Integration phase?
Interfaces between process model activities and existing systems are defined at both conceptual and technical levels.
What is the purpose of the Execution and Monitoring phase?
The e-process model is executed in a process engine, and its status can be monitored in real time.
What is Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)?
The real-time monitoring of an executing e-process, including activities and variable content.
What happens in the Optimization phase?
The process is analyzed, redefined, and improved based on monitoring results.
What is another name for the Optimization phase?
Business (Process) Analytics.
What are the three types of process models?
Descriptive (D): Describes how a process is working.
Normative (N): Describes how a process should work.
Executable (E): Describes how a process should work and can be executed by a system.
What is required to create an executable process model?
A modeling language with formalized syntax and semantics.
What are the five key aspects (perspectives) of process model design?
Functional (F-task): Defines activities in a process.
Behavioral (B-control-flow): Defines the order of activities.
Information (I-data): Defines input/output data of activities.
Organizational (O-resource): Defines actors (people/systems).
Transactional (T): Defines error-handling mechanisms.
Which aspects are mandatory for all process model types?
Functional (F)
Behavioral (B).
Which aspects are mandatory only for executable process models?
Informational (I)
Organizational (O)
Transactional (T).
What are the three types of BPMN processes?
Private (Internal) Processes
Abstract (Public) Processes
Collaborative Processes (not explicitly mentioned in the notes but implied).
What is a Private (Internal) Process?
A process internal to an organization, also called workflow or orchestration of services.
What is an Abstract (Public) Process?
A process that represents interactions between a private business process and another participant.
What is included in a Public Process?
Only the activities meant for external communication, not the internal activities of the private process.
How can Public Processes be depicted?
Independently or within a Collaboration to show message exchanges.
