Business process modeling techniques are an important step in business process management. Enables business process mapping of workflow so you can visually understand the process, analyse weak spots and make positive changes to that workflow or process. Using diagrams to help visualise all your business processes and workflow helps make better decisions and results.
Business Process Modeling
Business process modeling can be expressed in many ways like flowcharts, programs, hypertext, or even scripts. Here are some of the most common business process modeling techniques available:
- Business process modeling notation (BPMN)
- Universal Process Notation (UPN)
- UML diagrams
- Flowcharts
- Gantt charts
- Petri-nets – Colored Petri Nets ( CPN )
- Data flow diagrams (DFD)
- Role activity diagrams (RAD)
- Role interaction diagrams
- Integrated definition for function modeling (IDEF0)
- Object oriented methods (OOM)
- Workflow technique
- Simulation model
Business Process Modeling Overview
A brief overview of how each Business Process Model varies:
BPMN: Business Process Modeling Notation
BPMN Business process modeling notation is a standardised global way to map your processes using simple lines, arrows, and geometric shapes that communicate the workflow or process.
Universal Process Notation (UPN)
Easy-to-understand visualisation of how people, processes, and systems should interact. It’s not about building a huge flowchart, but a hierarchical process map, where every diagram is easier to follow. The notation is a simple box for each task to be completed using an activity box or steps with inputs and output. The box should show what happens, who the task is being assigned to, and in what order it should happen.
UML Diagrams
UML diagrams are a flexible and powerful way to model detailed logic and visualise almost any business process.
Flowcharts
Flowcharts are very popular diagrams because of their simplicity but offer such power with such few standard symbols which are easily understood for all business processes.
Gantt Charts
Gantt charts relate a list of processes to a time scale rather than showing the steps sequentially. The main axes are ‘time taken’ so does a better job of showing the overall time scale a process will take until completion.
Petri-nets
Petri-nets
Coloured Petri nets (CPN) routes in different colours
Data flow Diagrams (DFD)
Visual representation of any process graphically represents the flow of data.
Role Activity Diagrams (RAD)
A role-oriented process model. The roles that people, teams or departments play in a process. List roles, activities & interactions.
Role Interaction Diagrams
Showing the collaborations between objects.
Integrated Definition for Function Modeling (IDEF0)
Function Modeling IDEF0 technique uses a box to represent functions within a process.
Object Oriented Methods (OOM)
Support the software development process.
Workflow Technique
A repeatable pattern of activity enables to analyse and improvement in a process.
Simulation Model
Create and analyse a digital prototype of a physical model to predict its performance.