Analysis - Process Modelling

Question 1

What is a process?

Answer 1

• A business process is a series of activities (or tasks) performed by people (or software/equipment) that produces a service or product (serves a particular business goal) for a particular customer or customers.

Question 2

What is process modelling?

Answer 2

• A process model is a graphical way of representing a process. Can also be written as a list.
• Illustrates the tasks or activities performed and how data moves among them
• Can be used to further clarify the requirements definition and use cases
• If you’ve created detailed use cases, you might find that process models don’t add much to the understanding of the system. At the same time, if your use cases are more casual, process modelling might prove more beneficial.

Question 3

What type of Diagrams do Process Modelling have?

Answer 3

• UML (Unified modelling language) notation for control flow. An activity diagram is a behavioural diagram i.e. it depicts the behaviour of a system. An activity diagram portrays the control flow from a start point to a finish point showing the various decision paths that exist while the activity is being executed.
• BPMN : Business Process Modelling Notation
  The Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) is a graphical notation that depicts the steps in a business process. BPMN depicts the end-to-end flow of a business process. The notation has been specifically designed to coordinate the sequence of processes and the messages that flow between different process participants in a related set of activities.
• Flowchart Diagram: A Flowchart diagram can visually represent of a business process (or workflow). It uses standardized symbols to describe the exact steps needed to complete a process, as well as pointing out individuals responsible for each step.
• Data Flow Diagram - A data flow diagram (DFD) maps out the flow of information for any process or system. It uses defined symbols like rectangles, circles and arrows, plus short text labels, to show data inputs, outputs, storage points and the routes between each destination.

Question 4

What does BPMN stand for?

Answer 4

Business Process Modelling Notation

Question 5

What does DFD stand for?

Answer 5

Data Flow Diagram

Question 6

What are the advantages of UML Activity Diagrams?

Answer 6

• More closely linked to code
• Engineers understand it better
• Is a standard UML Diagram

Question 7

What does UML stand for?

Answer 7

• Unified Modelling Language

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of UML Activity Diagrams?

Answer 8

• Less obvious how no system parts of a process fit.
• More rigid – must follow syntax/rules