Assessing business process models: a literature review on techniques for BPMN testing and formal verification

Abstract

PurposeTesting business processes is crucial to assess the compliance of business process models with requirements. Automating this task optimizes testing efforts and reduces human error while also providing improvement insights for the business process modeling activity. The primary purposes of this paper are to conduct a literature review of Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) testing and formal verification and to propose the Business Process Evaluation and Research Framework for Enhancement and Continuous Testing (bPERFECT) framework, which aims to guide business process testing (BPT) research and implementation. Secondary objectives include (1) eliciting the existing types of testing, (2) evaluating their impact on efficiency and (3) assessing the formal verification techniques that complement testing.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is based on Kitchenham's (2004) original procedures for conducting systematic literature reviews.FindingsResults of this study indicate that three distinct business process model testing types can be found in the literature: black/gray-box, regression and integration. Testing and verification approaches differ in aspects such as awareness of test data, coverage criteria and auxiliary representations used. However, most solutions pose notable hindrances, such as BPMN element limitations, that lead to limited practicality.Research limitations/implicationsThe databases selected in the review protocol may have excluded relevant studies on this topic. More databases and gray literature could also be considered for inclusion in this review.Originality/valueThree main originality aspects are identified in this study as follows: (1) the classification of process model testing types, (2) the future trends foreseen for BPMN model testing and verification and (3) the bPERFECT framework for testing business processes.

Development of a Collaborative Intelligent Individual Education Program System using a Prototyping Approach

“…The high number of issues found in Modules 1, 4, and 9 is probably due to the complex process flow between these modules, for which these issues could not be discovered earlier through visual representation during the prototype evaluation. To support the drawback of the prototype approach in handling complex processes, the use of Business Process Management (BPM) tools, such as the Bizagi modeler, is suggested to enhance the visibility of the workflow between processes [24][25]. IEP implementation had some issues during the functionality test although their number was relatively low.…”

The Role of Business Process Modeling Notation in Process Improvement: A Critical Review

“…The imperative role of BPMN in organizational process improvement is well documented across a spectrum of industries, including technology services, supply chain management, and health care (Lopes & Guerreiro, 2023;Lopez-Arredondo et al, 2020;Negara & Doni, 2020;Szelągowski et al, 2022;Zarour et al, 2020). This universal applicability underscores BPMN's effectiveness in not only modeling but also analyzing and refining business processes to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.…”

“…The scientific literature provides specific insights into BPMN solutions to organizational process challenges. Through its standardized notation, BPMN offers a clear representation of business processes, enabling effective modeling and analysis across various domains (Lopes & Guerreiro, 2023;Lopez-Arredondo et al, 2020). Its capability for integration with other process improvement tools, such as VSM, amplifies its analytical strengths, making BPMN a potent tool for pinpointing inefficiencies and improvement areas (Soliman et al, 2022).…”

Formal verification of BPMN diagrams in Integrated Model of Distributed Systems (IMDS)

“…The detailed comparison of verification techniques and subsets of BPMN elements served in individual methods cannot be presented due to size limitation of the article. Some overviews of the verification tools and approaches can be found in [32], [33].…”