A unified configurable architecture for human-centric Business Process Management application in SMEs

Abstract

In order to obtain full value from Business Process Management (BPM) solutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to adopt an integrated suite approach that combines the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality with the extended process capabilities. In this paper we propose a unified configurable architecture (UCA) to simplify and quicken the implementation of a BPM solution with high level of flexibility and scalability. We view a complex process management system as a set of human-centric process modules. Each module consists of presentation layer, data schema and event handlers that all can be modeled and configured. The BPM system is formed by assigning the process modules to specific roles at the lifecycle processes. Through a case study at a precision engineering company we show how the architecture facilitates human-centric BPM.