The document discusses process modeling and identifies six key elements of a comprehensive process representation: 1) inputs, 2) activities performed by a performer, 3) outputs, 4) process resources and consumables, 5) undesirable inputs and outputs, and 6) feedback in and out. It argues that effective process modeling requires representing all six elements, including distinguishing between physical and logical flows, performers, and incorporating feedback loops. The six element model provides a complete way to analyze, communicate, and design processes.

1. 3 Basic + 3 Special
Elements of Process
Putcha V. Narasimham
Knowledge Enabler Systems
kenablersys@yahoo.com
BB6

2. Need for Process
 Process (some call it function) is central
to many branches of science, technology,
business, economics, sociology etc.
 Read Paul Hermon’s Article
http://www.bptrends.com/publicationfiles/advisor20101214.pdf
 Processes produce useful & valuable
results
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3. Need for Process Modeling
 The effectiveness, value
& efficiency of processes
 Depend on how well they
are designed
 That is determined by
Process Modeling
 We begin with ISO 9000
Definition of process
 Identify the 3 basic
elements and
 Add 3 more special
elements for
 Comprehensive
representation
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4. Where Process Models are used
 Analysis of
 Current AS IS Process or
 Proposed TO BE Process &
 Design of new processes
 Simulators &
 Prototypes
4

5. Process -- ISO 9000 Definition
A Process is a set of
interrelated or interacting
activities, which transforms
inputs into outputs
ISO 9000:2005 term 3.4.1 process
 Simple definition
 Identifies 3 Basic
Elements
 Something missing!
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6. Process Map with 3 Basic Elements
It is a special
block diagram
Input
Missing
Output
Process P
Internals
not shown
A network of
Activities & flows
A process can have multiple inputs and outputs--Dipali and Rumana 091010
Inputs and outputs come in that order -- Kamal 15SEP11
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7. What is missing? The Performer
 The ISO definition
mentions only
Activities
 Who performs them?
 Can Activities exist
without a performer?
1. Activity needs a performer
2. They are distinct & mutually
dependent
3. Models must reflect 1&2
4. Exception: Natural
phenomena
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8. Performer Appended to Process or Activity
General Process Map
UML Activity Diagram
Swim lane
Performer 1
Performer
Process A
Swim lane
Performer 2
Process B
Performer
Activity X
Activity Y
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9. Suppliers Give Inputs &
Receivers take Outputs
Supplier
Performer 1
Inputs come from
some suppliers
not a part of P
Receiver
Output
Input
Supplier
Supplier
Process
Process
9
Process P
Internals (not shown here)
A network of Activities
and flows
Receiver
Receiver
Process
Process
Outputs go to
some receivers
not a part of P

10. Process Internals:
Tasks, Performers & Flows
10
Performer
Internal
Processes
Input
Performer
Internal Outputs & inputs
Performer
Performer
Output
Performer
Performer
Performer
A process consists of sub-processes & things that flow.
Smallest process is a process step or task or activity

11. System & Process Similarities
 Similar to but a special case of system
A Process is
 Process has ACTIVITES in the place of
a set of
parts or objects
interrelated or
 Inputs, Process & Outputs are the
interacting
three basic elements of a process
activities,
 Then there is PERFORMER
which transforms
 In a system there is nothing
inputs into outputs
corresponding to inputs & outputs
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12. Inputs & Outputs have to be QUALIFIED
Useful processes must have
 Defined inputs within
specified range
 And deliver outputs of
desired specifications
 A useful process
cannot accept ANY
inputs
 And cannot produce
just SOME output
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13. Typical Errors of Process Representation
Errors
Corrections
 Names of performers or
outputs are inscribed in
blocks or capsules
 Only Process or Task names should
be inscribed
 Performer should be appended
 What flows should be the labeled
 Arrow block or line is NOT
labeled
Courier
Parcel
Delivers
Courier
Parcel
Receives
Customer

14. Physical flows of a process
In the real-world processes, things are physical.
They flow physically in space, often through some media
Material,
Manufacture & commerce
Objects
People
students, patients, travelers
Signals &
Energy
Power networks, communication networks,
computers (radiated energy does not need a medium)
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15. Logical Flows of Data & Information
 Data & information (per Knuth) are
encoded as signals which are physical
 Data &
 For processing, storage and
 Information
transmission within computers &
Are NOT physical
networks
They are logical  The signals can be acoustic, electrical,
or conceptual
electromagnetic or optical (energies)
 They need space & often some media
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16. Storyboarding and Process Mapping
 Process Diagram standards
 UML Activity Diagrams
 A process can
be shown in a
 Simple but erroneous
 Storyboard or
 Business Process Modeling
Notation BPMN
 Process Map or
 Better but uses too many symbols
workflows
 Recommended
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17. Six Element Process Model
 Three basic
elements +
 PERFORMER
 The real-world
processes have
THREE MORE
elements
 Undesirable inputs &
Outputs
 Process Resources and
Consumables
 TRUE FEEDBACK
Details follow …
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18. Process Representation
with 3 + 3 Elements
New
Supplier
Supplier
Process
Process
Process Resources
Performer, Facilities; Consumables
Output
Input
Process P
Undesirable
Inputs
New
18
FBout
Undesirable
Outputs
New
New
FBin
Receiver
Receiver
Process
Process
?
New

19. Process Resources & Consumables
 A process needs to
have PERFORMER &
its own reusable
resources / facilities
 Humans, Machinery
 Tools, Space,
Buildings, Furniture
etc.
 Then there are
consumables
 Energy, water, air,
etc.
 They are NOT inputs
which are converted
into outputs
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20. Undesirable Inputs & Outputs
 Raw material used as
input needs some
filtering & refinement
 One may get useful
by-products or waste
material which have
to be handled
 Similarly some useful
by-products &
undesirable outputs
may emerge
 Additional processes
are needed for that
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21. Feedback IN & OUT
Output
Process P
Feedback OUT
Feedback IN
Receiver P
Supplier P
Input
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 A responsive process
should be able to
 Accept FB-In
 Modify its behavior &
 Generate FE-Out

22. Feedback IN
 FEEDBACK is
something special
 Needs to be
represented
correctly & used
effectively
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 Process must be able to
 Accept feedback from
receiver of output
 And process it modify its
behavior

23. Feedback OUT
 The process should also be
able to generate Feedback
Out and
 Give it to supplier(s)
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See
http://www.slideshare.net/
putchavn/true-feedback

24. Summary
 Processes are vital in businesses
 Flows can be
 They need to be Represented
physical EXOR logical
for analysis, communication &
 Safe NOT to MIX
design
them
 Processes have THREE basic
 All elements need to
elements &
be modeled &
 THREE Additional elements,
implemented
 SIX in all
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