Abstract
A business process can be defined as a set of related tasks that are carried out within a business or organization in order to obtain certain output that should add value for the business client or organization (Gunasekaran & Kobu, 2002). An enterprise can be then analyzed and integrated through its business processes. Thus, business process modeling (BPM) becomes a fundamental part of business process management, as it enables a common understanding and analysis of a company’s business processes. Particularly, BPM using computer-aided design tools and a standard visual form of notation to describe, validate, and simulate business processes has taken on a new importance (Jonah, 2002).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Collaborative Tool: Computer-based tool capable to support a collaborative system.
Collaborative Modeling: Procedure of modeling using collaborative systems.
Business Process Modeling Technique: Set of formal instruments (diagrammatic or other notation) to represent a model for studying and analyzing business processes.
Business Process Modeling Tool: Computer-based tool capable to support business process modeling.
Collaborative System: The use of computers to support coordination and cooperation of two or more participants who attempt to perform a task or solve a problem together.
Business Process: Set of activities within an enterprise aimed to produce a desired result that adds value for the business.
Meta-Model: A model that provides a description of the modeling technique.
Business Process Modeling: Activities relating to the transformation of knowledge about business systems into models that describe the processes performed by organization.