Process modelling goals: concepts, structure and development

Abstract Process modelling is and should be goal-oriented. The formal statement of modelling goals in current process modelling practice is either forgotten, somehow considered implicity, or vaguely remembered at some later point in the model building cycle. This lack of explicit goal statement greatly affects the focus, task efficiency, model parsimony and the termination of the modelling cycle, especially in model conceptualization. This practice stands in stark contrast to the building of commercial process, mechanical, electricals or software systems. Lack of explicit goals often means a model is not “fit for purpose”, takes too long to develop and is either too simplistic or overly complex for the application. The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of defining and decomposing goalsets for process modelling. It poses key unsolved challenges in describing and understanding goal-set development and evolution, especially in the model conceptualization phase . It shows how the goals can help direct the modelling effort and determine the modelling cycle termination. The paper does not provide a closed solution to this complex problem but is aimed at generating discussion across the CAPE community. This is an important aspect in the future development of intelligent multiagent systems that can aid process modelling practice—so-called ‘modelling assistants’.