Domain specific monitoring of business processes using concept probes

Abstract

This paper proposes a monitoring framework that has business concepts at its core. Rather than relying on generic mechanisms to provide monitoring data, it proposes the notion of concept probes that fully match the business concepts used in the definition of business processes. These concept probes combine monitoring information from business process execution as well as service execution into aggregate information that makes sense from a business concept point of view. The approach has far-reaching implications: firstly, it provides superior understanding of the various execution parameters of the business concepts used in processes (including performance, correctness and context), with potential to aid Business Process Management (BPM) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) governance. Secondly, it helps with setting application-wide alarms and constraints potentially corresponding to Service- Level-Agreements, on a concept-level. For a given concept, such constraints can be set-up with immediate effect in all the business processes that use it. Thirdly, this approach gives technical users a deep understanding of the contribution of each of multiple application layers (BPM, SOA, operating system, various other technical layers) to the combined performance of a particular business concept. This can lead to faster reaction time in fixing problems, changes in business partners (that provide better services) or improvements in the underlying infrastructure or application parameters.