Hi all, I can see this thread becoming very interesting and, possibly, quite heated (heated occurs as I write)! So before that happens here is my view point...
Process Modelling - what are we trying to achieve. The aim of modelling is quite simple (in my opinion) - it allows us to "share complex information". How many architects selling a building idea do not provide a mock-up model (none, I would suggest because the mock-up model is a very effective method of conveying complex information (i.e. the architectural diagrams, another form of model). If the model can be interactive so much the better but its value is allowing us to share the complex information (having spent many an hour completing the information necessary to generate interactive Casewise models I can assure everyone interactively modelling the simple is not worth the effort). So the aim of a model is to share complex information. This means diagrams are a very good modelling tool (they are just not interactive). UML is a very good modelling language as everyone "understands" what it means. One other thought - the model must be targeted at the audience. Presenting the UML model to the executive board is a very good way to get fired. I hope this does not add to much fat to the fire Regards Stephen Baynes -----Original Message----- From: Srinidhi Boray [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 19 September 2002 15:13 To: Lyalin, David S.; '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Cc: 'Srinidhi Boray'; Brian McCarthy; 'Richard A. Menard'; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Lyalin, David S. Subject: RE: (ROSE) Process Modeling? Hello David, Sorry, I have to deny you to employ into professional practice the common sense (wrt 'modeling') that you intend to think that it is. Instead, I prefer to offer you following observation which may help you to discern better the concepts of modeling. 1. Diagram is not a model. A model is a model is a model. Diagram is a mere depiction of one instance or one perspective of a model. Several diagrams combined together attempts to capture the whole truth of a model. Yet it fails. 2. Strong notations are required to be followed while modeling, to maintain and retain the model integrity. Else spurious elements creep in during modeling and become demonic during the implementation stage. Slay the demon when it is young. Any vanity provides room for the demon to creep in. A good modeler in a disciplined way keeps out all cosmetic attempts. 3. Model is not to appease client. Model is to assist as a cohesive thinking artifact based on which productive collaborative actions can be planned. So, models must be objective and clear in nature. Beauticians to be kept out. 4. Last but not the least Happiness is not in avoiding problem or in sublimating (with fancy notations :)) )them. It is in solving them. Bottom line ...client wants solution and not fancy diagrams to hang on their walls.. cheers srinidhi > Good morning, > > I'd like to put these "process modeling" things in a > "common sense" > perspective. > Let me start from the quote: > "Any diagram is intimidating to the uninitiated, so > it is extremely > important that the diagram is as attractive as > possible and that it conveys > the sense of what is to be communicated. Of course, > this (primarily) > requires skill on the part of the diagrammer." > http://www.BRCommunity.com/a2002/b117.html (It is > interesting, that the > author of this quotation is strongly against UML). > Common sense should prevail. Show to me any model of > the business process, > and I will show to you how to built it with UML > instruments (diagrams and > use cases). Rose and ReqPro quite sufficient for > business process modeling. > The only thing they would not do for you is a > process simulation (if you > ever need it). The rest is just usual > groups-interest-serving dogs struggle > under the rug. And if you would like your business > clients to like your > diagrams - develop your diagramming skills and build > a good ones (see > quotation above). Otherwise, no tool and no notation > will ever help ... > > Happy modeling. > > David Lyalin > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Srinidhi Boray [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 5:22 PM > To: Brian McCarthy; 'Richard A. Menard' > Cc: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' > Subject: RE: (ROSE) Process Modeling? > > > > Hi, > > To add to the muddle!!! Every time I hear process > analysis, process modeling etc and anything related > to > processes, I realize that what one is really talking > about is 'one instance' of the processes. If one > intends to model one instance of a process then one > may choose whatever on earth to depict pictorially > that instance. Process modeling is lot more than > mere > representation as a 2d diagram. Process model is > manifold more than just a mere event flow diagram. > Process model is a depiction of the dynamic > functioning of an enterprise as a cumulation of > several processes utilizing numerous resources and > horizontally streaking through organized set of > functional units and each achieving a specific set > of > business objective and adding up to fulfill the > bigger > business goal. By employing the resources various > constraints are overcome. Business goals are always > accompanied by problems/constraints. The process > model > depicting the whole truth of an enterprise results > into a matrix set of resources and each uniquely > aiding in the efficient flow of the events (or > threads > of processes), overcoming problems as much as > possible. To model such a process flow more holistic > tools such as those based on Enterprise Architecture > framework such as Zachman is required. Rose at the > moment does not offer such a facility and it is > severely lacking in capacity to capture the > enterprise > architecture as a holistic relational model. > > Hope this helps!!:) > > Srinidhi > > Hope this helps!!:) > > Srinidhi > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! 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