Formal support of process chain networks using model-driven engineering and Petri nets

Abstract

Business process modelling is an essential activity for competitive enterprises, as it enables documenting, analysing, improving and automating their core processes. Several notations have been proposed, including BPMN, service blueprints or Process Chain Networks (PCNs). These are all graphical, intuitive notations, which are useful for discussion and documentation, but tool support and a formal semantics are required for process analysis. However, tool support is lacking and formal semantics is not available for some commonly used notations among business people, like PCNs. To alleviate this situation, we present a modelling tool for PCNs, and a formal semantics based on Generalized Stochastic Petri nets, which permits analysis. We have realized our approach using Model-driven Engineering, and show its realization within INNoVaServ, a modeling environment for the design of business models and service process operations.