Towards user oriented enterprise modelling – comparison of modelling language constructs

Enterprise Engineering and Integration, especially in the new environments of extended and virtual enterprises can be very efficiently supported by business process modelling (BPM). BPM can enable simulation of what-if scenarios, provide enhanced decision support based on real time operation monitoring, and can be employed for the control of enterprise assets. It may serve to prepare user requirements and to design of integrated information systems, like ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) . However, with many dissimilar modelling methodologies available, the selection of the most suited one becomes a very difficult task. Most modelling methodologies follow the life-cycle concept, but usually cover only the early phases, namely requirements definition and design specification. In addition, diverging terminology and different modelling language constructs used for the representation of the model are further obstacles to selecting most appropriate model based solution. Starting from the CIMOSA architecture, the paper investigates and compares modelling constructs of selected, BPM methodologies, using the draft standard “Constructs for Enterprise Modelling” ( EN ISO 19440, 2002 ) as a reference. Further, examples of user oriented construct types and an overview of icon types for graphical representation are presented. User requirements for improved BPM methodologies, construct types and tool interfaces are derived and discussed which will help to improve common understanding, acceptance and deployment of the technologies. The paper will serve to harmonise future user requirements and ease the design of interfaces between modelling tools, as outlined in the UEML project. Finally, the impact and benefits of standards in this context are briefly discussed. Only with increased efforts in harmonisation and standardisation, will the envisaged potential improvements of business process modelling be realised.