Notations for Business Process (Part 2) - Flowchart, FFBD and IDEFØ

Having looked at RAD, EPC and BPMN process diagrams in previous article, let look at other graphical representations for business processes which are around for quite some times. They are definitely the ancestors of process flow diagrams but still well and popular.

Notations for Business Process (Part 1) - RAD, EPC and BPMN

In several discussions I have had about process modelling methods, the methods being discussed are the types of notation or graphical notation used to represent business processes. The notations are always a topic of contention among business process modellers and practitioners. This is the first article of a series attempting to show with simple examples some of the commonly used business process modelling notations.

BPMN 2.0 Models (Part 2) - Choreography Model and Conversation Model

Apart from the Collaborative Process model that is commonly used in business process modelling, BPMN 2.0 also introduces other types of models - Choreography diagram and Conversation diagram. This paper discusses the different types of models and how they can be used to compliment each other.

If you are not sure about the terms process, process definition, process model or workflow, suggest reading the article "Process, Process Model, Process Instance and Workflow?" first before continuing with this article.

Part 1 - Process Models and Process Collaboration Model
Part 2 - More BPMN Collaboration Models - Choreography Model and Conversation Model

BPMN 2.0 Models (Part 1) - Process Models and Process Collaboration Model

Apart from the Collaborative Process model that is commonly used in business process modelling, BPMN 2.0 also introduces other types of models - Choreography model and Conversation model. This paper discusses the different types of models and how they can be used to compliment each other.

If you are not sure about the terms process, process definition, process model or workflow, suggest reading the article "Process, Process Model, Process Instance and Workflow?" first before continuing with this article.

Part 1 - Process Models and Process Collaboration Model
Part 2 - More Collaboration Models - Choreography Model and Conversation Model

Process, Process Model, Process Instance and Workflow?

Humour:
"All processes must be executable," says the IT guy. "Aren't all processes working? Is there any process that doesn't work," the puzzled business manager asked.

Most of us would have no problem to grasp the concept of a "business process". However when used in conjunction with terms like "process model", "process instance" or even the word "process" itself, the conversation often get very muddy. Without giving any context, these terms are at times confusing especially where conversation is held between practitioners from different knowledge domains (perspectives). This paper illustrates the meaning of the terms when used in different perspectives and how they relate to each other.