Detecting Common Errors in Event-Driven Process Chains by Label Analysis

In this article, we discuss several classes of error patterns that can frequently be found in Event-Driven Process Chains (EPC). Instances of these patterns can be detected by using a pattern-matching approach: The model is translated into a set of Prolog rules and potential modelling problems are located by querying the Prolog fact base for certain problem patterns. In particular, this article presents patterns for problems that can be detected by analysing the labels of events and functions in EPCs. To make reasoning about the contents of the labels possible, the labels are transformed into a normal form. By taking synonyms, antonyms and negating words (no, not) into account, we locate labels that contradict each other. This leads to the detection of some classes of errors like modelling of an event and its negation occurring at the same time. Our method has been applied to 1253 EPC models in German language. We have been able to detect a large number of errors in those models that remain undetected using traditional approaches for EPC validation.

[1]  Christiane Fellbaum,et al.  Book Reviews: WordNet: An Electronic Lexical Database , 1999, CL.

[2]  Christian Fillies,et al.  On Ontology-based Event-driven Process Chains , 2004 .

[3]  I. Weber,et al.  Semantic Business Process Validation , 2008 .

[4]  Stefan Kühne,et al.  A Business Process Modelling Tool with Continuous Validation Support , 2009, Enterp. Model. Inf. Syst. Archit. Int. J. Concept. Model..

[5]  Shazia Wasim Sadiq,et al.  Detecting Regulatory Compliance for Business Process Models through Semantic Annotations , 2008, Business Process Management Workshops.

[6]  Frank J. Rump.  Geschäftsprozeßmanagement auf der Basis ereignisgesteuerter Prozeßketten: Formalisierung, Analyse und Ausführung von EPKs , 1999 .

[7]  Björn Niehaves,et al.  Evaluation of Conceptual Models - A Structuralist Approach , 2005, ECIS.

[8]  Wolfgang Kraemer,et al.  Modellbasiertes Curriculum-Design für Learning Management Systeme: Ein Integrationsansatz auf Basis von ARIS und IMS Learning Design , 2007, Wirtschaftsinformatik.

[9]  Scott W. Ambler,et al.  The elements of UML style , 2002 .

[10]  Ron Weber,et al.  Ontological foundations of information systems , 1997 .

[11]  Jan Mendling,et al.  On Labeling Quality in Business Process Models , 2009 .

[12]  Mathias Weske,et al.  Semantic Querying of Business Process Models , 2008, 2008 12th International IEEE Enterprise Distributed Object Computing Conference.

[13]  Michael Rosemann,et al.  Prozessmanagement : ein Leitfaden zur prozessorientierten Organisationsgestaltung , 2005 .

[14]  Fabian Friedrich,et al.  Measuring Semantic Label Quality Using WordNet , 2009 .

[15]  Herbert Kopfer,et al.  Management logistischer Dienstleistungen der Kontraktlogistik , 2000 .

[16]  Oliver Thomas,et al.  Semantic EPC: Enhancing Process Modeling Using Ontology Languages , 2007, SBPM.

[17]  Moe Key.  Verification of workflow nets with transition conditions , 2012 .

[18]  Volker Gruhn,et al.  Reducing the cognitive complexity of business process models , 2009, 2009 8th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics.

[19]  Werner Esswein,et al.  Towards a Framework for Model Migration , 2004, CAiSE.

[20]  Jan Mendling,et al.  Detection and prediction of errors in EPC business process models , 2007 .

[21]  Agata Filipowska,et al.  Semantically Annotated EPC within Semantic Business Process Management , 2008, Business Process Management Workshops.

[22]  Michael Schrefl,et al.  Semantic Annotation of EPC Models in Engineering Domains by Employing Semantic Patterns , 2008, ICEIS.

[23]  Jörg Becker,et al.  Formalizing Linguistic Conventions for Conceptual Models , 2009, ER.

[24]  Andreas Oberweis,et al.  How to detect semantic business process model variants? , 2007, SAC '07.

[25]  Volker Gruhn,et al.  Validierung syntaktischer und anderer EPK-Eigenschaften mit PROLOG , 2006, EPK.

[26]  Volker Gruhn,et al.  Checking Properties of Business Process Models with Logic Programming , 2007, MSVVEIS.

[27]  Markus König.  Workflow-Management in der Baupraxis , 2006 .

[28]  Mathias Weske,et al.  Efficient Compliance Checking Using BPMN-Q and Temporal Logic , 2008, BPM.

[29]  Volker Gruhn,et al.  A heuristic method for detecting problems in business process models , 2010, Bus. Process. Manag. J..

[30]  Christian Fillies,et al.  Towards the Corporate Semantic Process Web , 2003, Berliner XML Tage.

[31]  Didar Zowghi,et al.  Reasoning about inconsistencies in natural language requirements , 2005, TSEM.