Business Process Modeling and Analysis Using Gert Networks

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the application of the GERT (Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique) network to business processes. Since the introduction of GERT, many papers have been published to show its application in various fields of engineering, management and system study. Application to information systems in general and business processes in particular has not yet been shown in the literature. One of the strengths of the GERT networks is the graphical representation, which is intuitive and easy to understand. The GERT network model, proposed in this paper, is adapted for business processes and information systems modeling, which means extending the graphical representation of GERT networks with respect to the peculiarities of business processes. We propose a new approach for the development of mathematical models of business processes using Z-transform and Mason’s rule. We apply DEMO (Dynamic Essential Modeling of Organization) to produce business process models, which are then further analyzed using GERT. As an application to real world, we illustrate our method taking the case of the work of the Conciliation Board for Consumers in the Netherlands.