Special Report: BPMN and Business Architecture Modeling

Successes and Achievements
Over the past several years, many corporations have successfully completed numerous strategic Business Process Management (BPM) initiatives.  Looking to build and expand upon these successes, many practitioners realized that connecting and integrating the individual models from strategic BPM initiatives could identify additional performance improvement opportunities and synergies between the previously modeled core cross-functional business processes.

Bearing in mind that activities integrate individual tasks, processes integrate activities, strategic BPM initiatives integrate processes, and then continuing with this rationale, one realizes the Business Architecture (BA) integrates all core cross-functional business processes from the strategic BPM initiatives.

BPM and BA
The Business Architecture, while different in intent and purpose, seems a natural extension of BPM.  This newly developed enterprise wide Business Architecture allows one to clearly understand the fit among activities in order to improve performance, increase profitability, delight customers and achieve a competitive advantage.  When the core cross-functional business processes are connected, linked and integrated into a formal Business Architecture, it provides additional insights into the analysis of proposed corporate initiatives for inclusion into the enterprise strategy.  And this synergy between the two methodologies is a good thing.  But how does one communicate between the two domains of process and architecture and what is the mechanism that enables a “transitive link” between the two domains?  Just remember that while the two domains share the same corporate DNA, the business process is a dynamic model illustrating the transformation of inputs into outputs, while the Bushiness Architecture is a static model illustrating the formal relationships, connectivity and linkages between all business processes.  The business processes are the structurally integrated components.  These two domains are NOT merely juxtaposed, but empirically integrated.  One can place containers of water, bags of cement and piles of bricks in very close proximity to one another, but one does not have a wall; you have to properly integrate the components in order to have a structurally sound and useful wall.

Connecting the Dots
A formal means of communication between the domains of process and architecture is not generally accepted.  However since May of 2004, the first release of the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) has provided the means to graphically model and communicate the intricacies of business processes between business and technology professionals, but a similar notation for Business Architecture does not exist.  Oh, many BA practitioners have accepted the BPMN as a “de facto” standard, but until the release of the Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN) 2.0 in January 2011, the earlier releases of BPMN had limited applicability for Business Architecture Modeling.  One of the new features that made this sharing possible was stated in the BPMN 2.0 Handbook, Second Edition:  “Data becomes a first-class part of Process modeling in BPMN 2. Inputs and outputs are visually specified for Processes and Activities”[1].  This “data” – the inputs/outputs – are what formally and visually connect one value stream/process with another to form, collectively, an enterprise structure.  This BPMN 2.0 feature provided the ability to formally integrate business processes into a Business Architecture.  Now, one can illustrate the integration of structural components – the business processes – in a precisely engineered model similar to the existing business process models.

Possibilities
In light of this new feature, this article asks the question: “Is it possible for both the business process and Business Architecture Modeling approaches to share a common modeling language and might BPMN 2.0 satisfy both?”  The author of this treatise has explored and analyzed BPMN 2.0 for use in Business Architecture Modeling and has concluded that BPMN 2.0 meets the most basic requirements for a shared modeling language between the two approaches.  And with this conclusion, there is no reason to purchase additional software to support Business Architecture Modeling beyond what the enterprise already uses for business process modeling.  While this was not a stated intention of BPMN 2.0 development, it is characteristic of the evolving nature of BA and its “transitive link” to the business processes.

Findings
The results are presented in a 19-page article that is richly illustrated with 17 diagrams and figures, providing examples of how to employ BPMN 2.0 for Business Architecture Modeling.  It is hoped that the reader will analyze this article and investigate the possibility of using BPMN 2.0 as the notation for Business Architecture Modeling.  Examine the analysis provided in the full article. 

For a quick look at the results of using BPMN 2.0 for Business Architecture Modeling, just click on the embedded link to see an example for a generic build-to-order manufacturer. Please use Internet Explorer as the navigation and hyperlinks are configured for this browser; other browsers do not support the navigation and hyperlinks.  Just by clicking on any element in the Web site model, the reader may examine the core cross-functional business processes or value streams with their various inputs/outputs along with their sources and destinations.  All elements in the model have a more detailed model available for review and each and every value stream is connected or linked to the other value streams or external entities by the inputs/outputs exchanged.  A little more detail is provided for the Order to Cash Value Stream for illustrating how to connect, link and integrate the Business Architecture Models with the business process models.

References

  1. Robert Shapiro, et al., BPMN 2.0 Handbook Second Edition Digital Edition (Future Strategies Inc., 2012), page 28.  Download at http://www.bpm-guide.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/BPMN-2.0-Handbook-Camunda.pdf .

Produced by: Ralph WhittleEnterprise Business Architect,  Independent Consultant in conjunction with BPMInstitute.org

Ralph Whittle is co-author of a book titled, Enterprise Business Architecture: The Formal Link between Strategy and Results, CRC Press 2004. He is a Strategic Business/IT Consultant and subject matter expert in Enterprise Business Architecture development and implementation. He has built Enterprise Business Architectures in various industries,…
 

Similar Resources

Enhancing Your Team’s BPM Capabilities: The Value of External Expertise

Enhancing Your Team’s BPM Capabilities: The Value of External Expertise

Author(s):

Editor & Founder, BPMInstitute.org, BAInstitute.org and DBIZInstitute.org

Enhancing Your Team's BPM Capabilities: The Value of External Expertise In today’s dynamic business environment, managing and improving business processes is critical for any organization aiming to maintain a competitive edge. Many companies consider handling Business...

Exploring Shared Data Model and Notation (SDMN) and Its Role in BPM+

Exploring Shared Data Model and Notation (SDMN) and Its Role in BPM+

Author(s):

Editor & Founder, BPMInstitute.org, BAInstitute.org and DBIZInstitute.org

Exploring Shared Data Model and Notation (SDMN) and Its Role in BPM+ Introduction In the evolving landscape of Business Process Management (BPM), the introduction of Shared Data Model Notation (SDMN) marks a significant advancement. As businesses increasingly seek to...

Article: Embracing the Future: Low-Code and No-Code Platforms in BPM+

Article: Embracing the Future: Low-Code and No-Code Platforms in BPM+

Author(s):

Editor & Founder, BPMInstitute.org, BAInstitute.org and DBIZInstitute.org

Article: Embracing the Future: Low-Code and No-Code Platforms in BPM+ Introduction In the realm of business process management (BPM), low-code and no-code platforms have emerged as transformative tools, reshaping how organizations develop applications and manage...

Featured Certificate: BPM Specialist

Everyone starts here.

You're looking for a way to improve your process improvement skills, but you're not sure where to start.

Earning your Business Process Management Specialist (BPMS) Certificate will give you the competitive advantage you need in today's world. Our courses help you deliver faster and makes projects easier.

Your skills will include building hierarchical process models, using tools to analyze and assess process performance, defining critical process metrics, using best practice principles to redesign processes, developing process improvement project plans, building a center of excellence, and establishing process governance.

The BPMS Certificate is the perfect way to show employers that you are serious about business process management. With in-depth knowledge of process improvement and management, you'll be able to take your business career to the next level.

Learn more about the BPM Specialist Certificate

Courses

  •  

 

Certificates

  • Business Process Management Specialist
  • Earning your Business Process Management Specialist (BPMS) Certificate will provide you with a distinct competitive advantage in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. With in-depth knowledge of process improvement and management, you’ll be able to take your business career to the next level.
  • BPM Professional Certificate
    Business Process Management Professional
  • Earning your Business Process Management Professional (BPMP) Certificate will elevate your expertise and professional standing in the field of business process management. Our BPMP Certificate is a tangible symbol of your achievement, demonstrating your in-depth knowledge of process improvement and management.

Certification

BPM Certification

  • Make the most of your hard-earned skills. Earn the respect of your peers and superiors with Business Process Management Certification from the industry's top BPM educational organization.

Courses

 

Certificates

  • Operational Excellence Specialist
  • Earning your Operational Excellence Specialist Certificate will provide you with a distinct advantage in driving organizational excellence and achieving sustainable improvements in performance.
 

 

OpEx Professional Certificate

  • Operational Excellence Professional
  • Earn your Operational Excellence Professional Certificate and gain a competitive edge in driving organizational excellence and achieving sustainable improvements in performance.

Courses

Certificate
  •  

  • Agile BPM Specialist
  • Earn your Agile BPM Specialist Certificate and gain a competitive edge in driving business process management (BPM) with agile methodologies. You’ll gain a strong understanding of how to apply agile principles and concepts to business process management initiatives.  
 

Business Architecture

 

Certificates

  • Business Architecture Specialist
  • The Business Architecture Specialist (BAIS) Certificate is proof that you’ve begun your business architecture journey by committing to the industry’s most meaningful and credible business architecture training program.

  • Business Architecture Professional
  • When you earn your Business Architecture Professional (BAIP) Certificate, you will be able to design and implement a governance structure for your organization, develop and optimize business processes, and manage business information effectively.

BA CertificationCertification

  • Make the most of your hard-earned skills. Earn the respect of your peers and superiors with Business Architecture Certification from the industry's top BPM educational organization.

Courses

 

Certificates

  • Digital Transformation Specialist
  • Earning your Digital Transformation Specialist Certificate will provide you with a distinct advantage in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. 
 

 

  • Digital Transformation Professional
  • The Digital Transformation Professional Certificate is the first program in the industry to cover all the key pillars of Digital Transformation holistically with practical recommendations and exercises.

Courses

Certificate

  • Agile Business Analysis Specialist
  • Earning your Agile Business Analysis Specialist Certificate will provide you with a distinct advantage in the world of agile software development.

Courses

Certificate
  • DAS Certificate
  • Decision Automation Specialist
  • Earning your Decision Automation Certificate will empower you to excel in the dynamic field of automated decision-making, where data-driven insights are pivotal to driving business innovation and efficiency.