Business Process Management follows a lifecycle containing the phases: modelling, execution, analysis.

The major objective of the Fachpraktikum "Modeling Business Process" it to focus on modelling of various business processes using different modelling tools and techniques on different levels of abstraction. In addition, students are learning how to analyze processes using the results of simulation or using the Audit Trail of a process execution environment. Based on the results of the analysis the students practice process optimization and re-engineering. Furthermore, the course emphasises on the interoperability of tools and the exchange formats they import and export.

In particular, the students focus on modelling, analysis and process re-engineering, as described below:

• Process Modelling: The students must model processes using UML Activity diagrams, and also using the two process modelling tools provided in the Institute's Integration Lab. The purpose is to learn to model processes on different levels of abstraction and recognize differences imposed by the different techniques and notations, and by vendor-specific tools. Furthermore, to stress on the differences between tools, the students are supposed to export process models from one tool in the BPEL language and import them into another tool. Students must analyse and compare the differences between the tools with respect to BPEL compliance and hence tool interoperability.


• Process Execution: Since the focus of the course is on process modelling, executing processes is only needed to support the exercises related to process analysis. Note that the WBM is not a process execution environment, it only supports process simulation. In contrast, WID is a full-fledged modelling and execution environment, but does not provide support for analysis.


• Process Analysis and Optimization: Usually, processes analysis is based on data gathered during process execution or simulation. The students are taught both approaches.

  When using the WBM students practice process simulation and use the capabilities of the tool to collect and analyse data. The results must be used to optimize one of the processes used in the exercises and suggest a re-engineered process model that exhibits optimized performance.

  When using the WID students should run a multiple instances of a process model and use the data stored into the audit trail of the tool to perform analysis. For this purpose students are supposed to create a Java application that reads the relevant information from the Audit Trail, performs analysis and presents the results in an appropriate manner. Again, they are expected to optimize the business process.

  
  

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