Proposal for an Object Oriented Process Modeling Language

Abstract

Abstract. Processes are very important for the success within many business fields. They define the proper application of methods, technologies and company structures in order to reach business goals. Not only manufacturing processes have to be defined from the start point to their end, also other processes like product development processes need a proper description to gain success. For example in automotive industries complex product development processes are necessary and defined prior to product development.Over the last decades several product modeling languages have been developed moving to object oriented modeling languages, such as UML, but the used process modeling languages are still procedural. The paradigm shift caused by object oriented description within product modeling languages has to be transferred to process modeling languages. This paper introduces an object oriented approach for process modeling. Using UML as a starting point an object oriented process modeling method is differentiated. The basic concepts which are needed for process modeling are put into an object oriented context and are explained. The paper also deals with the most important methods behind object oriented process modeling and gives an outlook, what can be achieved by this approach.

PML, an Object Oriented Process Modeling Language

“…It is briefly described why they do not meet the requirements of modern process definitions. For an in depth analysis and further details we refer to [1]. IDEF0 / SADT and Event Driven Process Chains (EPC) are procedural process modeling languages and support modeling processes with different levels of details.…”

“…Taken together these results evoke the need for a new process modeling language facing the requirements of the paradigm change. [1] …”

“…A new approach for a process modeling language has been introduced in [1], which uses object oriented techniques and hence meets all requirements. This approach uses the well known and widely used modeling language UML, that applies object oriented techniques to obtain modularization, reuse, flexibility and easy maintaining, among others, in the field of software and system modeling.…”

“…Implementing those techniques processes can be modeled hierarchically with modularization, structure, exchangeability and reusability. [1,15] show the used way to derive PML. Starting from the time invariant UML class we have instantiated a time variant object.…”

“…Structural and hierarchical modeling is supported by using the concepts of associations, aggregations, and compositions and the usage of cardinalities. [1,15] Now we want to illustrate the capability of PML means by a complex product development process and a manufacturing process. This example application stresses out the advantages of PML regarding flexibility of defined processes, reusability, clarity and understandability.…”