Accelerated enterprise process modeling through a formalized functional typology

Abstract

An enterprise process model encompasses a set of business processes implemented or to be implemented in the enterprise. As such, it expresses the requirements of the organization and thus constitutes a compulsory prerequisite for the successful implementation of process-based IT systems such as ERP, SCM and CRM. However, there is a lack of an enabling science to guide the generation of an individualized process model for a particular enterprise. Conceptually, content based enterprise process modeling - itemizing the processes carried out within the enterprise - is based on the assumption of similarity between enterprises that operate within a given industrial sector, so that a generic model should be applicable, with some customization, to all enterprises within that sector. Our approach is based upon the premise that enterprises are characterized by their functionalities, rather than by their end products or technologies. We thus propose a method which enables the functionality of a specific enterprise to be defined; and from this definition a unique enterprise process model can be generated to constitute a statement of the business processes of the enterprise. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.