[Special Note: If you ordered in early September, please contact www.processmodelingadvisor.com to receive your FREE final-edited copy directly from the author.] Many business process models don't meet expectations. Why? Business analysts, managers, productivity improvement specialists, and consultants who develop process models by trial and error are prone to fail. This is THE only start-to-finish how-to guide for consistently producing high-quality business models. It shows you how to: - Establish or improve your business process modeling competence using the 6-step Universal Process Modeling Procedure. - Perceive, define/normalize any business process or activity using the 4-part Universal Business Process Definition. - Never miss the 3 Basic Business Process Flow elements. - Efficiently elicit process model content using razor-sharp elicitation agendas. - Elicit and model the 10 most common logical process model refinements. - Validate any process model's quality using 5 Universal Process Model Quality Checklists. - Use any process modeling tool at-hand, whether it be white board or process modeling software. Learn more at www.ProcessModelingAdvisor.com

This book covers the whole spectrum of modeling goals to achieve optimal quality in the process model developed. It focuses on how to balance quality considerations across all semiotic levels when models are used for different purposes, and is based on SEQUAL, a framework for understanding the quality of models and modeling languages, which can take into account all main aspects relating to the quality of models. Chapter 1 focuses on the theoretical foundations, introducing readers to the topics of business processes and business process modeling, as well as the most important concept underlying the modeling of business processes. In turn, Chapter 2 addresses the quality of models in general and business process models in particular. Chapter 3 contains a specialization of SEQUAL for quality of business process models. In Chapter 4, examples of the practical uses of business process models are provided, together with the results of detailed case studies on how to achieve and maintain quality in business process models. Chapter 5 presents a process modeling value framework that demonstrates how to achieve more long-term and higher return on investment with regard to (business) process and enterprise models. Lastly, Chapter 6 reviews the main points of the book and discusses the potential for business process modeling in the future through its combination with other types of modeling. The book has two intended audiences. It is primarily intended for computer science, software engineering and information system students at the postgraduate level who want to know more about business process modeling and the quality of models in preparation for professional practice. The second audience consists of professionals with extensive experience in and responsibilities related to the development and evolution of process-oriented information systems and information systems methodologies in general, who need to formalize and structure their practical experience or update their knowledge as a way to improve their professional activity. The book also includes a number of real-world case studies that make it easier to grasp the main theoretical concepts, helping readers apply the approaches described.

Business Process Management (BPM) has been in existence for decades. It uses, complements, integrates and extends theories, methods and tools from other scientific disciplines like: strategic management, information technology, managerial accounting, operations management etc. During this period the main focus themes of researchers and professionals in BPM were: business process modeling, business process analysis, activity based costing, business process simulation, performance measurement, workflow management, the link between information technology and BPM for process automation etc. More recently the focus moved to subjects like Knowledge Management, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, Service Oriented Architectures (SOAs), Process Intelligence (PI) and even Social Networks. In this collection of papers we present a review of the work and the outcomes achieved in the classic BPM fields as well as a deeper insight on recent advances in BPM. We present a review of business process modeling and analysis and we elaborate on issues like business process quality and process performance measurement as weel as their link to all other organizational aspects like human resources management, strategy, information technology (being SOA, PI or ERP), other managerial systems, job descriptions etc. We also present recent advances to BPR tools with special focus on information technology, workflow, business process modeling and human resources management tools. Other chapters elaborate on the aspect of business process and organizational costing and their relationship to business process analysis, organizational change and reorganization. In the final chapters we present some new approaches that use fuzzy cognitive maps and a recently developed software tool for scenario creation and simulation in strategic management, business process management, performance measurement and social networking. The audience of this book is quite wide. The first chapters can be read by professionals, academics and students who want to get some basic insight into the BPM field whereas the remaining present more elaborate and state of the art concepts methodologies and tools for an audience of a more advanced level.

Constitutes the refereed post-workshop proceedings of 9 international workshops held in Milano, Italy, in conjunction with the 6th International Conference on Business Process Management, BPM 2008, in September 2008.

This book primarily addresses Intelligent Information Systems (IIS) and the integration of artificial intelligence, intelligent systems and technologies, database technologies and information systems methodologies to create the next generation of information systems. It includes original and state-of-the-art research on theoretical and practical advances in IIS, system architectures, tools and techniques, as well as “success stories” in intelligent information systems. Intended as an interdisciplinary forum in which scientists and professionals could share their research results and report on new developments and advances in intelligent information systems, technologies and related areas – as well as their applications – , it offers a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike.

This textbook covers the entire Business Process Management (BPM) lifecycle, from process identification to process monitoring, covering along the way process modelling, analysis, redesign and automation. Concepts, methods and tools from business management, computer science and industrial engineering are blended into one comprehensive and inter-disciplinary approach. The presentation is illustrated using the BPMN industry standard defined by the Object Management Group and widely endorsed by practitioners and vendors worldwide. In addition to explaining the relevant conceptual background, the book provides dozens of examples, more than 230 exercises – many with solutions – and numerous suggestions for further reading. This second edition includes extended and completely revised chapters on process identification, process discovery, qualitative process analysis, process redesign, process automation and process monitoring. A new chapter on BPM as an enterprise capability has been added, which expands the scope of the book to encompass topics such as the strategic alignment and governance of BPM initiatives. The textbook is the result of many years of combined teaching experience of the authors, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as in the context of professional training. Students and professionals from both business management and computer science will benefit from the step-by-step style of the textbook and its focus on fundamental concepts and proven methods. Lecturers will appreciate the class-tested format and the additional teaching material available on the accompanying website.

Businesses need to adapt constantly, but are often held back by static IT systems. The 'Riva approach to Business Process Management' is a way of analysing the mass of concurrent, collaborative activity that goes on in an organisation, providing a solid basis for developing flexible IT systems that support a business.