Framework for Business Process and Rule Integration: A Case of BPMN and SBVR

Abstract

In the current heavily regulated business world, organisations struggle to establish a consistent view of their policies and operating procedures. These are generally captured through process modeling and business rule modeling, resulting in separate representations of rules and actual practice. The separation of the two models leads to increased risk of noncompliance, as well as reduced benefits from process improvement initiatives. So far, little guidance exists for organisations who struggle to consolidate their existing process models and business rules into one holistic model. In this paper we propose a preliminary framework that provides an overarching scope for the consolidation of existing business process models and business rule descriptions. The framework is supported by a collection of mapping methods (currently based on BPMN and SBVR) that assist business modelers in identifying inconsistencies between their existing business process models and business rule repositories, and thus helps to establish a coherent view of organizational policies and procedures.