Quantitative analysis of probabilistic BPMN workflows

Luke Thomas Herbert, Robin Sharp

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    We present a framework for modelling and analysis of realworld business workflows. We present a formalised core subset of the Business Process Modelling and Notation (BPMN) and then proceed to extend this language with probabilistic nondeterministic branching and general-purpose reward annotations. We present an algorithm for the translation of such models into Markov Decision processes expressed in the syntax of the PRISM model checker. This enables analysis of business processes for the following properties: transient and steadystate probabilities, the timing, occurrence and ordering of events, reward-based properties and best- and worst- case scenarios. We develop a simple example of medical workflow and demonstrate the utility of this analysis in accurate provisioning of drug stocks. Finally, we suggest a path to building upon these techniques to cover the entire BPMN language, allow for more complex annotations and ultimately to automatically synthesise workflows by composing predefined sub-processes, in order to achieve a configuration that is optimal for parameters of interest.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the ASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
    Number of pages10
    PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
    Publication date2012
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference: 32nd Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (CIE) - Chicago,IL, United States
    Duration: 12 Aug 201215 Aug 2012
    http://www.asmeconferences.org/idetc2012/

    Conference

    ConferenceASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityChicago,IL
    Period12/08/201215/08/2012
    Internet address

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