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Towards EPC standardization

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The process of standard-making is fundamentally based on agreement and consensus of a domain community. This platfom provides a web-based, collaborative system specifically designed for the purpose of EPC standardization. It is openly accesible for everyone interested. The platform provides a community where domain experts and practitioners can come together and take an active part in developing a standard for the EPC language. For further information regarding the standardization process and additional details, please visit Collaborative Specification Engineering - How To.

The Event-Driven Process Chain

EPC example process.png

The event-driven process chain (EPC) has been one of the most dominant languages for business process modelling over the last decades and is well established in both research and practice.[1][2][3] The maturity of EPCs manifests itself in numerous scientific publications covering a wide range of language aspects. In addition, the EPC has proven its relevance in practice by being implemented in most common business process modelling tools.[4] However, in contrast to languages such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), whose popularity has been significantly boosted by the existence of a defined standard[5] no systematic standardization effort for the EPC language has been made yet. Consequently, the absence of a standard hampers EPC usage and diffusion, especially due to difficulties in terms of interoperability, further development and overall acceptance.[6][7] Nowadays, most business process modelling languages have been standardized by respective institutions, for example the Object Management Group (OMG) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The publication of those standards ensures international adherence to specified language components such as syntax, notation or exchange format. Although there have been attempts to provide detailed specifications for certain aspects of the EPCs language (e.g. [8][9]), an official standardization process guided by a standardization development organization (SDO) has not been initiated to date. In addition, due to the widespread nature of EPCs and extensive previous research in the field, there exists a multitude of contributions ranging from various syntactical or semantical propositions to multiple language extensions[10][11], ultimately resulting in a mosaic-like EPC landscape. Naturally, this situation renders standard-making a difficult challenge.

EPC Process Elements

This section gives an overview over the EPCs’ elements. Thereby already published literature about the EPC is recited. Therefore, the state of this chapter does not necessarily have to be coherent to the collaborative acquired state of this platform. The general elements of the EPC (speaking about the basis EPC, not the extended EPC) are the event, the function, and the three logical connectors AND, XOR and OR. Furthermore, the control flow arcs can be considered as a process element, too.

Event

The Event represents a current state in an EPC model and is both used as the starting and ending activity of an EPC model. Hence, every EPC model has at least one start and one end event.[12][13][14] Events are able to trigger functions (and are triggered by them). Therefore, the event and the function form an alternating entity, whose only exception is the abovementioned start and end event.[8][13][15] Furthermore, it is relevant to emphasize the non-existing decision-making power of an event. As it ‘only’ represents a current state, it is not able to decide about the further path of the model. Therefore, OR- and XOR-operators must not follow after an event.[13][14][16]

Function

The Function represents an action or a task in an EPC model. They can be therefore described as ‘current state changes’ or transformations from an initial state to a resulting state. Unlike events, they have decision-making power and are able to trigger all kind of operators.[8][13][15]

Operators

In order to represent possible splits and joins in the logical control flow, three types of connectors are used. These are the AND operator, the OR operator, and the XOR operator. Following the AND operator, every ensuing path has to be treaded. After an OR operator, either one, two, three… or all ensuing paths ‘’’can’’’ be treaded, while the XOR represents an exclusive decision (just one of the following paths can be treaded). Some literature demand that for the sake of semantics and pragmatics splitting paths need to be merged again by the same type of operator.[8][13][16]

EPC Quality

Aspects regarding the quality of EPC models can be distinguished in different categories. While there are general applicable quality recommendations like the seven process modelling guidelines [17], some quality frameworks like the 3QM or the SIQ Framework are concerning the categories ‘’syntax’’, ‘’semantic’’ and ‘’pragmatic’’. Following this structure, EPC quality criteria will be assigned to these categories on this platform. As Fellmann et al. already did such an assignment of EPC criteria[6], in the following their results will be presented in aggregate form.

Syntactical criteria

Representation

The representation of different EPC elements can be accessed via the respective pages on this platform.

Usage

Currently, there are 8 different quality criteria regarding the syntactical quality of EPC processes.

  1. There has to be at least one start-event and one end-event.
  2. The EPC is a bipartite graph with a set of events and functions. These elements are alternating, which means functions are followed by events and events are followed by functions. The only exception to this rule is the prior mentioned start- and end-event.
  3. Information objects and organizational units can only be connected with functions. In this connection, organizational units have to be connected to functions involving human interactions.
  4. An operator connects several events and functions. Joining operators have to be of the same type as splitting ones.
  5. In conclusion, logical operators need at least one incoming ‘’’or’’’ one outgoing control flow arc.
  6. Events and Functions only possess one incoming and one outgoing control flow arc.
  7. As an event lacks of decision making power, it must not be followed by an OR- or XOR-operator.
  8. Process interfaces are linked to events only.

Semantic criteria

Linguistic Correctness

Please refer to the respective section of the Function and Event page.

Formal semantics

  1. If two identical events occur before a join operator, the model can often be simplified.
    1. If the join operator is a XOR, there might be a modelling mistake.
  2. AND- and OR-operators might not be followed by mutually exclusive Events.
  3. If possible: Two mutually exclusive Events after a XOR operator are normally sufficient.
  4. If operators are used for comparing values, often the case that the value remains constant is forgotten.
  5. If there is a polar question, use the XOR operator.
  6. A control flow arc should not be initiated more than once, so events and functions are triggered just once.
  7. XOR-joins do not block if multiple tokens can arrive.
  8. Each split-operator should have a corresponding join-operator.
  9. It has to be possible to reach an end-event from every start-event.
  10. If there are no further elements on a specific position in a process, this position has to be an end-event.
  11. There are no elements in a process not integrated in a control flow from a start- to an end-event.

Compliance

  1. The behaviour of a model should comply with rules specified with reference to the semantics of individual model elements.
  2. The occurrence of model elements and the connections between model elements in an EPC model should comply with rules specified with reference to the semantics of individual model elements.
  3. The model should comply with rules covering both the model elements and their attributes.

Pragmatic criteria

  1. There should be no overlapping arcs.
  2. There should be no change of flow direction.
  3. The naming conventions should be observed.
  4. If two or more consecutive functions (needless to say with events among them) are performed by the same organizational unit, not every function has to be connected to the respective organizational unit. Instead, it is sufficient to correlate functions to organizational units when there is a change of responsibility.
  5. If the process is considerable large, it should be split with the aid of process interfaces.
  6. There should be no unnecessary process elements.
  7. Minimize the amount of control flow arcs.
  8. Preferably, there should be just one start- and one end-event.
  9. The process should be as structured as possible (cf. rule no. 8 of formal semantics)
  10. OR-operators should be avoided as their semantics are vague.
  11. The naming conventions should be applied.

Exchanging and storing EPC models

Exchange formats in literature

Exchange format Desc. Language Type EPC specific Meta data Layout
AML ARIS Markup Language, proprietary file format for the ARIS Toolset EPC XML (proprietary) × ✔ ✔
XML for EPC First step towards an EPC-specific exchange format EPC XML ✔ × ×
EPML Event-driven Process Chain Markup Language, specifically designed to exchange EPC models EPC XML ✔ × ×
Fuzzy-EPML EPML extension EPC XML ✔ ✔ ✔
oEPML EPML extension oEPC XML (EPML) ✔ ✔ ✔
GXL Graph Exchange Language, stores process models as graphs EPC XML (GXL) × × ×
sEPC Exhanges semantically annotated EPC models S-EPC Ontology × ✔ ×

EPC extensions

EPC extension Reference Desc. Specification Type
EPC [16] EPC prototype, consisting only of functions, events and connectors enumerative -
eEPC [18][19][20] Enriched EPC, including organizational units, information objects, IT systems and process refinements enumerative element
rEPC [21] Includes a state machine, which is modelled in parallel to the EPC formal semantics execution
EPC* [22] Information objects can be connected to model data flow and conditions can be added to the control flow - workflow
oEPC [23][24] Uses an object-oriented process definition enumerative element
Risk-EPC [25] Adds a risk element to the EPC, which can be linked to functions enumarative element
Fuzzy EPC [26][27][28] A fuzzy connector allows modelling fuzzy decision-making in business processes formal semantics; meta model element
yEPC [29] Extends the EPC to support state-based workflow patterns, multi-instantiation and cancellation enumerative workflow; element
Risk EPC extended [30][31] Adds risk events, which are triggered when an exception occurs enumerative; meta-model element
C-EPC [32][33] Functions, events and connectors are configurable formal semantics; enumerative reference modelling
Semantic EPC [34][35] EPC elements are linked to ontologies enumerative semantic annotation
N-EPC [36] Allows modelling of several events between two functions, trivial events can e be followed by XOR or OR formal semantics simplification
Service EPC [37] Functions are replaced by services enumerative element
C-iEPC [38] Extends the configuration introduced in the C-EPC to information objects, IT systems and organizational objects formal semantics extended configuration

References

  1. ↑ T. Knuppertz and S. Schnägelberger, “Status Quo Prozessmanagement 2007/2008 – Ergebniszusammenfassung,” Komptenzzentrum für Prozessmanagement, 2008
  2. ↑ P. Fettke, “Ansätze der Informationsmodellierung und ihre betriebswirtschaftliche Bedeutung: Eine Untersuchung der Modellierungspraxis in Deutschland,” Schmalenbachs Zeitschrift für betriebswirtschaftliche Forsch., vol. 61, pp. 550–580, 2009
  3. ↑ C. Houy, P. Fettke, and P. Loos, “Stilisierte Fakten der Ereignisgesteuerten Prozesskette – Anwendung einer Methode zur Theoriebildung in der Wirtschaftsinformatik,” in EPK 2009. 8. Workshop der Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI) und Treffen ihres Arbeitkreises "Geschäftsprozessmanagement mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozessketten (WI-EPK). Gesellschaft für Informatik, 2009, pp. 22–41
  4. ↑ J. Drawehn, M. Kochanowski, and F. Kötter, Business Process Management Tools 2014. Stuttgart, Germany: Fraunhofer, 2014
  5. ↑ J. Recker, M. Indulska, M. Rosemann, and P. Green, “How Good is BPMN Really? Insights from Theory and Practice.,” in Proceedings of the 14th European Conference on Information Systems, 2006
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 M. Fellmann, S. Bittmann, A. Karhof, C. Stolze, and O. Thomas, “Do We Need a Standard for EPC Modelling? The State of Syntactic, Semantic and Pragmatic Quality,” in 5th International Workshop on Enterprise Modelling and Information Systems Architectures (EMISA), 2013, pp. 103–116
  7. ↑ R. K. L. Ko, S. S. G. Lee, and E. W. Lee, Business process management (BPM) standards: a survey, vol. 15, no. 5. 2009
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 M. Nüttgens and F. J. Rump, “Syntax und Semantik Ereignisgesteuerter Prozessketten (EPK),” Prozessorientierte Methoden und Werkzeuge für die Entwicklung von Informationssystemen, vol. P-21, no. 6, pp. 64–77, 2002
  9. ↑ J. Mendling, “Detection and prediction of errors in EPC business process models.,” Institute of Information Systems and New Media, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, 2007
  10. ↑ P. Rittgen, “Quo vadis EPK in ARIS? Ansätze zu syntaktischen Erweiterungen und einer formalen Semantik,” Wirtschaftsinformatik, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 27–35, 2000
  11. ↑ P. Fettke, C. Houy, and P. Loos, “Zur Bedeutung von Gestaltungswissen für die gestaltungsorientierte Wirtschaftsinformatik − Ergänzende Überlegungen,” Universität des Saarlandes, 191, 2010
  12. ↑ R. Laue and J. Mendling, “Structuredness and its significance for correctness of process models,” Inf. Syst. Ebus. Manag., vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 287–307, Jun. 2009
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 M. Nüttgens and F. J. Rump, “Syntax und Semantik Ereignisgesteuerter Prozessketten (EPK),” Prozessorientierte Methoden und Werkzeuge für die Entwicklung von Informationssystemen, vol. P-21, no. 6, pp. 64–77, 2002
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 J. L. Staud, Geschäftsprozessanalyse. 2006
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 R. Klein, F. Kupsch, and A. Scheer, “Modellierung inter-organisationaler Prozesse mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozessketten,” Inst. für Wirtschaftsinformatik, no. November, 2004
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 G. Keller, M. Nüttgens, and A.-W. Scheer, “Semantische Prozeßmodellierung auf der Grundlage ‘Ereignisgesteuerter Prozeßketten (EPK),’” Universität des Saarlandes, 89, 1992
  17. ↑ J. Mendling, H. Reijers, and W. van der Aalst, “Seven process modeling guidelines (7PMG),” Inf. Softw. …, 2010.
  18. ↑ W. Hoffmann, J. Kirsch, and A.-W. Scheer, “Modellierung mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozeßketten,” Universität des Saarlandes, 101, 1993
  19. ↑ J. Galler and A.-W. Scheer, “Workflow-Management - Die ARIS-Architektur als Basis eines multimedialen Workflow-Systems,” Universität des Saarlandes, 108, 1994
  20. ↑ G. Keller and T. Teufel, SAP R/3 prozeßorientiert anwenden. Bonn: Addison-Wesley, 1997
  21. ↑ W. Hoffmann, R. Wein, and A.-W. Scheer, “Konzeption eines Steuerungsmodells für Informationssysteme–Basis für die Real-Time-Erweiterung der EPK (rEPK),” Universität des Saarlandes, 106, 1993
  22. ↑ O. Zukunft and F. Rump, “From Business Process Modelling to Workflow Management - An Integrated Approach,” in Business Process Modelling, B. Scholz-Reiter and E. Stickel, Eds. Berlin: Springer, 1996, pp. 3–22
  23. ↑ A.-W. Scheer, M. Nüttgens, and V. Zimmermann, “Objektorientierte Ergenisgesteuerte Prozeßkette (oEPK) - Methode und Anwendung,” Universität des Saarlandes, 141, 1997
  24. ↑ M. Nüttgens and V. Zimmermann, “Geschäftsprozeßmodellierung mit der objektorientierten Ereignisgesteuerten Prozeßkette (oEPK),” in Informationsmodellierung - Referenzmodelle und Werkzeuge, M. Maicher and H.-J. Scheruhn, Eds. Wiesbaden, Germany: Gabler, 1998, pp. 23–35
  25. ↑ E. Brabänder and H. Ochs, “Analyse und Gestaltung prozessorientierter Risikomanagementsysteme mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozessketten,” in EPK 2002 - Geschäftsprozessmanagement mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozessketten, Proceedings des GI-Workshops und Arbeitskreistreffens, 2002, pp. 1–5
  26. ↑ O. Thomas, C. Hüsselmann, and O. Adam, “Fuzzy-Ereignisgesteuerte Prozessketten - Geschäftsprozessmodellierung unter Berücksichtigung unscharfer Daten,” EPK 2002 - Geschäftsprozessmanagement mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozessketten, Proc. des GI-Workshops und Arbeitskreistreffens, pp. 7–16, 2002
  27. ↑ O. Thomas and T. Dollmann, “Attributierung und Regelintegration,” Proc. 5th GI Work. Event-Driven Process Chain. (EPK 2006), pp. 49–68, 2006
  28. ↑ O. Thomas, Fuzzy Process Engineering, 1st editio. Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag, 2009
  29. ↑ J. Mendling, G. Neumann, and M. Nüttgens, “Yet another event-driven process chain,” in Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2005, vol. 3649, p. 428
  30. ↑ M. Rosemann and M. zur Muehlen, “Integrating Risks in Business Process Models,” Australas. Conf. Inf. Syst., no. Figure 1, pp. 62–72, 2005
  31. ↑ T. Rieke and A. Winkelmann, “Modellierung und Management von Risiken. Ein prozessorientierter Risikomanagement-Ansatz zur Identifikation und Behandlung von Risiken in Geschäftsprozessen,” Wirtschaftsinformatik, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 346–356, 2008
  32. ↑ M. Rosemann and W. M. P. van der Aalst, “A configurable reference modelling language,” Inf. Syst., vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 1–23, 2007
  33. ↑ J. C. Recker, M. Rosemann, W. M. P. van der Aalst, and J. Mendling, “On the Syntax of Reference Model Configuration – Transforming the C-EPC into Lawful EPC Models,” in Business Process Management Workshops: BPM 2005 International Workshops, BPI, BPD, ENEI, BPRM, WSCOBPM, BPS, 2005, pp. 60–75
  34. ↑ O. Thomas and M. Fellmann, “Semantische Ereignisgesteuerte Prozessketten.,” Data Warehous., pp. 205–224, 2006
  35. ↑ A. Filipowska, M. Kaczmarek, and S. Stein, “Semantically annotated EPC within semantic business process management,” in Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, 2009, vol. 17, pp. 486–497
  36. ↑ O. Kopp, T. Unger, and F. Leymann, “Nautilus Event-driven Process Chains: Syntax, Semantics, and their mapping to BPEL,” in Proceedings of the 5th GI Workshop on Event-Driven Process Chains (EPK 2006), 2006, pp. 85–104
  37. ↑ S. Huth and T. Wieland, “Geschäftsprozessmodellierung mittels Software-Services auf Basis der EPK,” in Service-orientierte Architekturen, 1st ed., V. Nissen, M. Petsch, and H. Schorcht, Eds. Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag, 2007, pp. 61–76
  38. ↑ M. La Rosa, M. Dumas, A. H. M. ter Hofstede, J. Mendling, and F. Gottschalk, “Beyond Control-Flow: Extending Business Process Configuration to Roles and Objects,” vol. 5231, pp. 199–215, 2008
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