A framework for transformation from conceptual to logical workflow models

  • Authors:

  • Shaokun Fan;J. Leon Zhao;Wanchun Dou;Manlu Liu

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Information Systems, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China;Department of Information Systems, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China;State Key Laboratory for Novel Software Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China;E. Philip Saunders College of Business, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States

  • Venue:
  • Decision Support Systems
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

Both conceptual and logical workflow models are needed to support business process automation via workflow systems. Conceptual models are normally used to document the generic business process requirements in the company. Logical models are generally used for defining technology specific requirements, where software modules as well as their behavioral patterns should be clearly specified. However, the transformation from conceptual models to logical models can be a tedious task, often causing errors in the resulting logical model. In this paper, we propose a formal approach that can be used to support efficient and accurate model transformation. First, we develop a procedure for transforming a conceptual workflow model into its corresponding logical workflow model. Business requirement analysis, dependency mapping, and workflow pattern-based model transformation are the major components of this transformation procedure. Second, we create a validation procedure that can validate whether the derived logical model is consistent with its original conceptual model. Business process ontologies are employed in our approach to describe both conceptual and logical models. We also implement a prototype system and conduct a demonstrative case study to show the feasibility of our approach.