Extending the Multiple Domain Matrix by Using Business Process Model and Notation for Business Process Analysis

Abstract

Effective business process management can reduce development cost, improve work efficiency, and reduce system errors. This paper defines multiple-domain matrix (MDM) extensions called the business process model and notation-MDM (BPMN-MDM) to analyze structures of and relations among processes modeled in the BPMN. The extensions were verified using workflow patterns, which are basic process elements to model processes and describe behaviors of business process executions. Most business processes can be transformed and described in the MDM by using activity and organization design structure matrices, which verify the effectiveness of the BPMN-MDM. A standard business process example was used and analyzed using the BPMN-MDM for illustration and validation purposes. By applying an organizational-activity MDM partitioning algorithm, coupled activities of each organizational member and coupled relations among members provide process structure information in a matrix perspective, which can serve as a basis to devise new methods and algorithms for process analysis and optimization.