Management science semantics for object-oriented business modelling in BPR

Abstract

BPR methodologies should justify their capability for understanding an organization's strategy, business structure and processes. For this reason techniques that provide understanding of the current and future desired positions of the organization and the discrepancy between them as well as consistent business modelling techniques are required. One of the main drawbacks of existing business modelling methodologies is the lack of theoretical underpining associated with the concepts used in business modelling. This paper presents a BPR methodology called agent relationship morphism analysis (ARMA) that goes beyond the limitations of the existing BPR methodologies taking a holistic view of the organization. In ARMA the modelling of the business environment is achieved with the use of three perspectives: the structural, behavioural and process. A technique called agent relationship modelling (ARM) has been developed for modelling the structural perspective. The more dynamic organizational concepts are described in the behavioural and process perspectives. These perspectives are modelled in a technique called agent/object lifecycles (ALCs/OLCs).