Towards cross language process model reuse - A language independent representation of process models

Abstract

Process model reuse is becoming a key approach to addressing the challenges of modeling business processes from scratch. A repository is, therefore, essential to store and manage process models for future reuse. In this paper, we develop a logical data model that enables a Universal Process Repository to store process models in the form of process elements, independent of any process modelling language. In order to store process models in the process repository we propose an algorithm that automatically extracts data from the repository and converts them to process models on the fly. Finally, we use a case study to present data stored about a process model in the repository and to illustrate the development of process models from the data stored in the repository. © 2009 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.