Process Modelling Standards

BPMN

BPMN is a process modelling Notation, that has been standardised by the BPMI and is currently at version 1.2, with version 2 under consultation. The full pdf specification can be found on the Object Management Group Website→.
BPMN defines a Business Process Diagram (BPD) which is based on a flowchart with activity objects and flow controls that define the order that activities are performed. The basic objects shown below:

 

Flow Objects
	Activity
	Start Event
	End Event
	Intermediate Event
	Gateway or Decision
Connecting Objects
	Sequence Flow Shows order of sequence of activities in a process
	Message Flow Shows flow of messaged between two separate participants, roles or resource pools
	Association Associates data, text and other artefacts with objects e.g. inputs and outputs
Swimlane Objects
	Pool A pool is used in swimlaning to represent a participant and is a container for grouping participants into lanes
	Lane A lane is a sub partition within a Pool and extends the entire length of the pool
Artefacts
	Group This is used to group objects but does not affect the process flow
	Annotation Used to provide additional text to a diagram
	Data Object Data objects are required or produced by activities and are connected to activities through Associations

UML

UML (Unified Modelling Language) Is a general purpose modelling toolset used usually in software development, but does include some tools that are useful for systems and process modelling (Eg UML Case modelling). The different toolsets are detailed on Wikipedia→.

IDEF

IDEF (integration Definition) is a suite of 14 toolsets used for systems and software modelling. The different toolsets are detailed on Wikipedia→. Probably the most relevant to Process Improvement is IDEF0 which is a function modelling notation for analysing and design of business processes, amongst other business objects. It models the decisions, activities and actions of a function or organisation. The definition of a process is through the "Context Diagram" shown below, which includes Inputs, Output, Controls, Mechanisms and the Function or Processes name.

Individual Functions or Processes can be associated with each other in either a flowchart or decomposition form, both shown below