Resilient BPMN: Robust Process Modeling in Unreliable Communication Environments

Frank Nordemann, Ralf Tönjes, Elke Pulvermüller

2020

Abstract

Process modeling languages help to define and execute processes and workflows. The Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) 2.0 is used for business processes in commercial areas such as banks, shops, production and supply industry. Due to its flexible notation, BPMN is increasingly being used in non-traditional business process domains like Internet of Things (IoT) and agriculture. However, BPMN does not fit well to scenarios taking place in environments featuring limited, delayed, intermittent or broken connectivity. Communication just exists for BPMN - characteristics of message transfers, their priorities and connectivity parameters are not part of the model. No backup mechanism for communication issues exists, resulting in error-prone and failing processes. This paper introduces resilient BPMN (rBPMN), a valid BPMN extension for process modeling in unreliable communication environments. The meta model addition of opportunistic message flows with Quality of Service (QoS) parameters and connectivity characteristics allows to verify and enhance process robustness at design time. Modeling of explicit or implicit, decision-based alternatives ensures optimal process operation even when connectivity issues occur. In case of no connectivity, locally moved functionality guarantees stable process operation. Evaluation using an agricultural slurry application showed significant robustness enhancements and prevented process failures due to communication issues.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Nordemann F., Tönjes R. and Pulvermüller E. (2020). Resilient BPMN: Robust Process Modeling in Unreliable Communication Environments. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development - Volume 1: MODELSWARD, ISBN 978-989-758-400-8, pages 181-192. DOI: 10.5220/0008768101810192

in Bibtex Style

@conference{modelsward20,
author={Frank Nordemann and Ralf Tönjes and Elke Pulvermüller},
title={Resilient BPMN: Robust Process Modeling in Unreliable Communication Environments},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development - Volume 1: MODELSWARD,},
year={2020},
pages={181-192},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0008768101810192},
isbn={978-989-758-400-8},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development - Volume 1: MODELSWARD,
TI - Resilient BPMN: Robust Process Modeling in Unreliable Communication Environments
SN - 978-989-758-400-8
AU - Nordemann F.
AU - Tönjes R.
AU - Pulvermüller E.
PY - 2020
SP - 181
EP - 192
DO - 10.5220/0008768101810192