BPMN advantages, disadvantages within system integration - Essay Example

BPMN Within A System Integration Context: Advantages And Disadvantages Business Process Modeling Notation is a representation used to specify business processes in graphical form in the business process model. There are several advantages of using the Business Process Modeling Notation in the business environment and also technically Advantages There are numerous advantages that are associated with Business Process Model and Notation. Business Process Modeling Notation offers a standard notation that is easy to understand for many individuals giving it that universal aspect in its use. The models that are used involve universal flowcharts that convey information at a glance. This aspect reduces complexity of previous models used in the business process. According to a recent study, Visio is also the most commonly used software for BPMN modeling (Freudenstein 2009) Business Process Modeling Notation also offers a common universal language thereby reducing the communication barriers that existed in designing the business process models. Business Process Modeling Notation also helps in bridging the gaps that existed in communication which affected the process of business modeling from the designing stage to the implementation stage. Since Business Process Modeling Notation uses the technique of flowcharting, the method has made information relaying simpler. This is because use of images assists users and designers in summarizing information. A single flowchart can be used to reflect many situations that would have required a lot of words in explaining and representing. Another significant advantage of using Business Process Modeling Notation is the fact that it is a simple model. The model embraces simplicity by converting information and representing it in a simple flowchart. This gives it an upper hand in the market since every business is after a simple model that will serve its purposes and at the same time it is easily applicable in every business environment provided that the firm maintains proper records and comprehensive data on its operations. Given this simplicity, users can quickly work with it and derive the solution in real time. Business Process Modeling Notation is an important model especially in firms that has adopted process automation. In the modern world, more and more companies have adopted a system that supports high levels of information technology since this makes operations in the company much smoother. Business Process Modeling Notation has been developed primarily for supporting technical implementation of different processes or in other words, process automation. It has actually been discovered that Business Process Modeling Notation works well according to the level of process automation that exists in any given firm. Another important advantage of Business Process Modeling Notation is the power of expression that this model possesses. With this model, it is possible to precisely describe a given process whereas it would have been imperative to describe such a process. Business Process Modeling Notation is also standard with a very sufficiently defined syntax and semantics. This phenomenon makes it possible to reuse skills and also some tools and training. With these traits, the user can expect some reasonable expectations from its use. Disadvantages Several disadvantages also exist from the use of Business Process Model and Notation. These disadvantages mostly exist according to where they are used and the tool used other than on the model or the standard itself. One of these disadvantages is that some aspects of the Business Process Modeling Notation lack clarity. Some of the things such as swim lanes lack clear definitions and if one relies heavily on them, then he will have to use extra tactics to derive useful conclusion. This makes the use of Business Process Modeling Notation a little bit more time consuming. The use of this model therefore requires the user to have a rich expertise in its use. Another disadvantage in the use of Business Process Modeling Notation is the ambiguity in sharing and confusion that arises in the use of the Business Process Model and Notation. A single model conveys a lot of information that might render the model ambiguous. This concentration of information in a single model might lead to misinterpretation and unreliability of conclusions from this model especially in a case where a given firm does not have staff that has the required expertise in using the model. Sharing Business Process Modeling Notation models between firms of different backgrounds and capacities brings about confusion. This is a real setback in the use of the model which affects its use in different firms. The conversion of the Business Process Modeling Notation into executable environments proves to be complex action. This model is simple in theory, but converting this into a practical executable environment is a difficult process and requires a lot of knowledge in application. The application may however prove to be different from the expectations from the use of the model. There are many uncertainties in any business environment and therefore, the changes in the environment overtime may affect the use of the model making reducing its relevance. It is also a weakness that the Business Process Modeling Notation requires the support for routine work. This requires the users of the model to constantly review the model and maintain the environment necessary for the use of the model. This constant support is costly and extra efforts are required in carrying out the routine support. Business Process Modeling Notation also calls for constant supporting of knowledge work. Users of the model have a requirement of extensive knowledge towards the application and implementation of the Business Process Model and Notation. This requires the firm in question to train its personnel in the use of the model. This raises the costs to the firm and for every profit maximizing firm, this would spell a decline in the company’s returns. The management will therefore compare the cost savings brought about by the use of the model and the increased costs of maintaining a knowledgeable staff that will use the model. In most cases, there is a gap between what is possible to achieve using BPMN and the desired goal of the user (Brocke 2010) Business Process Model Notation has been integrated into systems and as the model evolves the ease of integration increases. This is because the BPMN model is very intuitive and facilitates illustration by using flowcharts which are actually diagrams (Stephen 2008). This aspect gives the Business Process Modeling Notation a cutting edge in the systems integration. This model has revolutionized the way that businesses viewed the automation of business processes due to its uniqueness and its dynamic aspect. This goes down well with various business targets and the prevailing systems. Businesses have appreciated the fact that automation of processes- which is a measure of how well the BPMN model works- minimizes costs and at the same time it maximizes the efficiency and returns. This is what the management seeks and therefore it will adopt any model that will rake in better returns for the company. With its universal properties the Business Process Modeling Notation offers a fertile ground for integration of system all over the globe. Different firms in different geographical locations tend to use different approaches and models in business processes. This arises because of the different business environments such as level of information technology available in the different locations. Business Process Modeling Notation provides a universal approach to carrying out business processes. This has enhanced integration of systems no matter the geographical location of the different firms As demonstrated above, Business Process Modeling Notation is a great innovation and when used effectively, it can lead to maximized efficiency. There are several versions of the model with the most recent one being the two point zero (Briol 201). This model was designed in the first place to make automated processes in business become more relevant and making interpretation of processes much simpler and efficient. The model has been received by users differently with some finding it more useful than others. However it can be concluded that the outcome of using the model depends on the tool used and where the model is used other than the standard used itself. The Business Process Modeling Notation is a dynamic model and each version comes with improved features which makes it viable in the much dynamic business environment. The BPMN version one point zero which was realized on may two thousand and four (Ryan 2009), had limited features that affected its universal use. Since then, users and experts have added other specific features that have really improved the BPMN model and made its use more universal. Despite the model’s weaknesses, this model has assisted business enthusiasts in improving their returns. It has also led to many businesses appreciating the use of information technology which translates into more automated processes in the firm. This is because the BPMN model works well according to the level of automation of processes in any given firm. The verdict as to what level the Business Process Modeling Notation has impacted on e business environment can therefore be derived by comparison of the models advantages including the ability of systems integration with its shortcomings which include the costs associated with this model (Briol 2010). Judging by the frequency by which businesses are adopting this model, given the renewed urge to automate processes by businesses we can say that the model has indeed been a success. This can also be seen from the frequency by which improved versions of the model are developed References. Ryan, k., & Stephen, L. 2009, Business Process Management (BPM) Standards: A Survey. In: Business Process Management. Business Process Management Journal, 15(5), 5. Briol, P. 2010, Business Process Modeling Notation. BPMN 2.0 Distilled, 9(2), 22. Stephen, A., Miers, S., & Derek, B. 2008, BPMN Modeling and Reference Guide. BPMN Modeling and Reference Guide, 10(5), 24. Brocke, J. v. 2010, Handbook on business process management 2 strategic alignment, governance, people and culture. Berlin: Springer. Freudenstein, P. 2009, Web engineering for workflow-based applications Models, systems and methodologies. S.l.: s.n.]. Read More