Collaborative process modeling and reuse evaluation

Abstract

Business process management systems are largely used nowadays. Process Modeling, whether for depicting new processes or for optimizing existing ones, requires knowledge and proper tools. However, most process models are created from scratch, not having reuse promoted, i.e., not considering existing knowledge. Large enterprises not using a unique integrated system, and also some of them that do, have the same business process implemented in a variety of ways, due to differences in their units, culture or environments. In this work we evaluate BPCE, a P2P tool we previously proposed as a way of collaboratively developing process models. We describe tool implementation issues, a modeling case study, a simulation conducted using the tool and the changes in the original proposal caused by those investigations. The results present evidence that such a tool can minimize the time to develop new models, reduce the differences among similar business processes conducted in distinct organization units, enhance the quality of process design and promote reuse.