MITS5507 Assignment 2: Business Process Management Critique Report

This report provides a comprehensive critique of the academic article "A generic structure for business process modeling." It begins with an overview of the article's details, including its statement of purpose, brief outline, intention, and content. The report then delves into the research methods employed by the authors, evaluating their approach and findings. It highlights the problems and key aspects of the study, such as the generic structure proposed for business process modeling, and the six perspectives used to evaluate the models. The critique also examines the application of the generic structure in order fulfillment processes within supply chain networks. Finally, the report concludes with an assessment of the article's strengths and weaknesses, offering suggestions for future research, and referencing related works.

Business Process Management
Critique
9/17/2019

Business Process Management
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Article Details....................................................................................................................................2
Statement of Purpose.........................................................................................................................2
Brief Outline......................................................................................................................................2
Intention & Content...............................................................................................................................2
Research Method & Findings................................................................................................................3
Problems & Highlights..........................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................5
References.............................................................................................................................................6
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Business Process Management
Introduction
Article Details
[1]F. Lin, M. Yang and Y. Pai, "A generic structure for business process modeling", Business
Process Management Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 19-41, 2002. Available:
10.1108/14637150210418610.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the document is to critique the article on business process modelling to bring
forward the positive and negative aspects.
Brief Outline
The intention and content of the article is first covered and reviewed followed by critique on
the research methods and findings. The analysis of the problems and issues followed by
conclusion is present in the report.
Intention & Content
Business Process Modelling (BPM) under Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) plays a
significant role in the process. The representation of the existing processes and activities
along with the representation of a new set of processes to enhance the performance is usually
the primary objective behind the inclusion of BPM [1]. The intention of the article is to bring
out a generic structure which can be used for the purpose of business process modelling. The
generic structure is proposed that comprises of two major features. The first is the
representation of the business process in a number of different concerns along with the
various abstraction layers. The second is to bring down the barriers between process
representation and model analysis. It will be done by embedding verification and validation
within the proposed model.
The content of the article is described in a number of sections. The first is the introduction
section that provides a background to the concepts of business process reengineering and
business process modelling. The perspective of numerous researchers is included in the
introduction section. The second is the business process modelling methods. There are a
number of business process modelling methods that have been defined and each of these
methods has its own characteristics, pros, and cons. The grouping of the business process
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Business Process Management
models can be done as per activity-oriented approach, object-oriented approach, role-oriented
approach, and speech-act oriented approach. On the basis of these categories and approaches,
the classification of the business process models is carried out [2]. The authors have
explained some of the business process models in the form of a table to compare and contrast
these models. After the analysis of the business process models, a generic model is proposed
by the authors and the use of figures is done to illustrate the information. The modelling of
order fulfilment process in the supply chain networks using the generic structure is covered in
the next section. A conclusive summary is then presented at the end.
Research Method & Findings
The research methods used by the authors are a combination of the qualitative methods to
explore the generic structure which can be used for business process modelling and the
quantitative methods to determine the associated perspectives. The method is apt as the
comparison between the different business process models is done using the exploration
technique and the one generic model is derived on the basis of the same. The approach
adopted by the authors is correct since the understanding of the background information and
the associated business process models could be effectively done.
The comparison and analysis of the business models show that there are six perspectives that
can be used to evaluate the business process models. The six perspectives include functional,
behavioural, informational, organizational, verification/validation, and modelling procedure.
The models are evaluated across the six perspectives and the markings are done as weekly
supported, supported, strongly supported, or not supported. There are various business
process modelling techniques that have been characterized and every one of these strategies
has its own characteristics, benefits, and cons. The gathering of the business process models
should be possible according to activity-oriented approach, object-oriented approach, role-
oriented approach, and speech-act oriented approach. Based on these classifications and
approaches, the characterization of the business process models is completed [3]. The
creators have clarified a portion of the business process models as a table to investigate these
models. After the examination of the business process models, a nonexclusive model is
proposed by the creators and the utilization of figures is done to outline the data. The
modelling of order fulfilment process in the supply chain networks utilizing the conventional
structure is canvassed in the following area.
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Business Process Management
The functional perspective can be represented with the aid of the relation, behaviour, and
agent. The interpretation of the perspective can be done as the behaviour of a particular agent
with other agents in order to carry out the specific activities. The behaviour perspective is
based on behaviour and relation as the primary components. The representation of the
behaviour is done on the basis of a number of business rules and actions that shall be in
accordance with the relationship of the agent with the environment. The representation of the
information perspective can be done on the basis of the information elements, such as files,
messages, and other graphical content. These elements are processed and managed as per the
information infrastructure in order to carry out the business activities as per the relations. The
organizational perspective can be represented on the basis of the relation, behaviour, and
agent. These relationships between the agents among each other are significant for the
organization. The verification and validation business process models are the ones that have
their emphasis on the behaviour, agent, and event. It is also necessary to determine the
procedure involved in the modelling process. The dependency and relationship of the various
parameters determine the outcomes. The components in the generic structure are based on
these perspectives and the analysis results [4].
The application of the generic structure is done in the order fulfilment process in the supply
chain networks. The essential components that are included in the process include activity,
resource, behaviour, event, information, relation, agent, and entity. The comparison of these
with the swarm simulation system is done and represented by the authors in the form of a
table.
These findings are in accordance with the research aim and the purpose of the research
defined by the authors in the beginning of the research paper.
Problems & Highlights
The authors have represented various concerns associated with the different business process
models in terms of the mapping of the characteristics and components with the model. The
comparison between these models is also carried out to determine the components of the
generic structure. The specific problems and issues associated with each of the supply chain
networks and swarm simulation system is also represented in the form of the table. For
example, multiple layer abstraction is involved in the case of the supply chain networks.
Nested inherent hierarchy is seen in the swarm systems. Similarly, the information flow is
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among the business entities in the case of the supply chain networks. On the other hand, the
message passing is among the agents in the swarm simulation systems.
It is highlighted by the authors that the details and specific properties and issues associated
with the six components shall be understood to develop a generic structure for the business
process modelling. The functional perspective can be spoken to with the guide of the relation,
behavior, and agent. The translation of the perspective should be possible as the behavior of a
specific agent with different agents so as to complete the particular exercises. The behavior
perspective depends on behavior and relation as the essential segments [5]. The portrayal of
the behavior is done based on various business decides and activities that will be as per the
relationship of the agent with nature. The portrayal of the data perspective should be possible
based on the data components, for example, files, messages, and other graphical substance.
These components are processed and oversaw according to the data framework so as to do
the business exercises according to the relations. The authoritative perspective can be spoken
based on the relation, behavior, and agent. These relationships between the agents among one
another are huge for the association. The check and approval business process models are the
ones that have their accentuation on the behavior, agent, and event. It is likewise important to
decide the system engaged with the modelling process. The reliance and relationship of the
different parameters decide the results. The parts in the conventional structure depend on
these perspectives and the investigation results [6].
Conclusion
The critique of the article presented the opportunity to analyse the information compiled by
the authors in their research work. The article does fulfil the research aims and objectives.
The research questions have also been answered and the authors have made good use of the
table, figures, and the graphical elements. The six perspectives that are considered by the
authors to develop the generic structure are apt. The generic structure for business process
modelling that has been developed is also in accordance with the essential components and is
developed in such a manner that the specific business conditions and scenarios are
considered. In the future, the inclusion of the automated modelling techniques along with the
utilization of more number of case studies can be done.
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References
[1]F. Lin, M. Yang and Y. Pai, "A generic structure for business process modeling",
Business Process Management Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 19-41, 2002. Available:
10.1108/14637150210418610.
[2]B. M.E. de Waal and R. Batenburg, "The process and structure of user participation: a
BPM system implementation case study", Business Process Management Journal, vol. 20,
no. 1, pp. 107-128, 2014. Available: 10.1108/bpmj-05-2012-0045.
[3]J. Barjis, "Enterprise process modelling complemented with business rules", International
Journal of Business Process Integration and Management, vol. 5, no. 4, p. 276, 2011.
Available: 10.1504/ijbpim.2011.043388.
[4]K. Bouchbout, J. Akoka and Z. Alimazighi, "An MDAâ€based framework for
collaborative business process modelling", Business Process Management Journal, vol. 18,
no. 6, pp. 919-948, 2012. Available: 10.1108/14637151211283357.
[5]R. Timane, "Business Process Reengineering (BPR) to Business Model Reengineering
(BMR)", SSRN Electronic Journal, 2012. Available: 10.2139/ssrn.2194107.
[6]B. Hussein, M. Hammoud, H. Bazzi and A. Haj-Ali, "PRISM-Process Reengineering
Integrated Spiral Model: An Agile Approach to Business Process Reengineering (BPR)",
International Journal of Business and Management, vol. 9, no. 10, 2014. Available:
10.5539/ijbm.v9n10p134.
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