BPMN Modeling and Reference Guide
Understanding and Using BPMN

Authors: Stephen A. White, PhD; Derek Miers

Foreword:
Dr. Richard Mark Soley, Object Management Group, USA
Dr. Angel Luis Diaz, Websphere Business Process Management
IBM Software Group USA
Afterword:
Dr. Michael zur Muehlen, Stevens Institute of Technology, USA

Retail Price: $39.95
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Official Launch:
Gartner Business Process Management Summit 2008
Date: September 10-12, 2008

Product Details    

• Perfect Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Future Strategies Inc., Lighthouse Pt, FL
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 978-0977752720

Develop rigorous yet understandable graphical representations of business processes.

Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is a standard, graphical modeling representation for business processes. It provides an easy to use, flow-charting notation that is independent of the implementation environment. An underlying rigor supports the notation—facilitating the translation of business level models into executable models that BPM Suites and workflow engines can understand. Over recent years, BPMN has been widely adopted by Business Process Management (BPM) related products—both the Business Process Analysis and Modeling tool vendors and the BPM Suites.

This book is for business users and process modeling practitioners alike. Part I provides an easily understood introduction to the key components of BPMN (put forward in a user-friendly fashion). Starting off with simple models, it progresses into more sophisticated patterns. Exercises help cement comprehension and understanding (with answers available online). Part II provides a detailed and authoritative reference on the precise semantics and capabilities of the standard.

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About the Authors:

Renowned experts Stephen White (IBM) and Derek Miers (BPM Focus) have been involved in the development of the BPMN standard since the early days of BPMI.org. As Work Group chair and Specification Editor since its inception, Stephen White was instrumental in creating the BPMN standard and is now guiding its continuing refinement at the OMG. Derek Miers has played a leading role in the BPMN space—first as Co-Chair of BPMI.org and more recently within the OMG. He delivers training and consulting worldwide around BPMN, Process Architecture and BPM in general.

Technical Questions? Contact the Authors through their websites:
Stephen White
Derek Miers

Table of Contents

Introduction

This book provides a modeling guide and reference for the features of BPMN Version 1.1.

In Part I, we describe a little of business drivers associated for process modeling, aligning that with the history of the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN™), standard and discussing expected future developments. We go on to talk about processes and modeling in general to set up and position some of the issues and challenges for BPMN modelers.

We then present the BPMN modeling approach using a progressive scenario that unfolds for the reader. As we elaborate on each new aspect of the scenario, we feature the functionality of BPMN that supports the desired behavior. Rather than attempting to explain fully each concept in detail, this part of the book sticks to the fundamental principles, referring the reader to the relevant Reference Section for more detail (i.e., Part II of this book).

The intention is to enable the reader to understand how to apply BPMN against a real world scenario. Moreover, the approach taken here introduces each set of functionality in a non-threatening way, allowing the reader to develop their understanding at their own pace. Throughout this part of the book, we introduce exercises for the reader to complete, helping them cement their comprehension and establish a fundamental level of skill. The answers to those exercises will be made available online (as part of the online training that complements this book).

Part II presents a detailed reference section that covers the precise semantics of the BPMN standard, explaining them and the process behavior that results.

For the casual modeler, Part I will provide enough to get up and going. Over time, we expect that you will dip into Part II (the detailed reference) section to familiarize yourself with the precise functionality of the Notation. 

Book Structure

The book is organized into 13 main chapters followed by Appendices, a Prologue, Glossary and Index:

Part I  

Chapter 1—“Introduction”

Chapter 2—“The Importance of Modeling” introduces process modeling in general, highlighting how it supports communication and understanding amongst people. It briefly covers how Process Models can aid communication and drive work through the enterprise.

Chapter 3—“Processes” provides a quick introduction to BPMN Process concepts, covering Orchestration, Choreography and Collaboration concepts.

Chapter 4—“Modeling Approaches & Architecture” introduces some of the potential approaches to modeling with BPMN.

Chapter 5—“A Scenario-Based Introduction to BPMN” provides an easy to follow introduction to BPMN modeling. It starts with a simple, easily recognized situation and then builds up on that base, slowly introducing and explaining BPMN functionality to support the evolving behavioral complexity.

Part II 

Chapter 6—BPMN Reference Section Introduction provides a short preface, explaining the tokens that we use to demonstrate the behavior associated with each BPMN element.

Chapter 7—Activities explores Tasks, Sub-Processes and Process Levels in general. It then goes on to discuss the special issues affecting Sub-Processes.

Chapter 8—Events provides detailed explanations of all the Start, Intermediate and End Events. It goes through each one in turn describing the behavior of each element.

Chapter 9—Gateways investigates the role of Gateways in BPMN modeling (points where control is required to split and merge paths), going through the precise behavior associated with each type.

Chapter 10—Swimlanes sets out the precise semantics and rules associated with Pools and Lanes.

Chapter 11—Artifacts discusses how to represent Data, Documents and other things not directly covered with the core process flow diagram objects.

Chapter 12—Connectors explores the meaning associated with Sequence Flow, Message Flow and Annotations.

Chapter 13—Advanced Concepts provides explanations of The Life-Cycle of an Activity, Compensation and Transactions, and Ad Hoc Processes.

Appendices provide a more detailed examination of:

• Process Execution Environments (BPM Suites and Workflow).
• Techniques for Process Architecture—a short discussion of some of the available approaches.
• A collection of BPMN best practices.

BPMN Directions—discusses the likely direction of the BPMN specification, exploring some of the functionality expected in BPMN 2.0 and subsequent revisions.

Afterword provided by Prof. Michael zur Muehlin discusses some of the uses of Process Models and, through the use of BPMN, how to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Glossary and Index

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