Monday, 29 April 2013 08:39

Chapter 13 - User- and Data-driven Processes

13.1. Activity-centric Processes

Discuss limitations of activity-centric PAIS in respect to the integration of processes and data.


13.2. Case Handling Concepts

  • What is the primary driver for the progress of a case during run-time?
  • Case handling distinguishes between accessible and mandatory data objects of a task. Explain the difference between these two data object sets.
  • A case type comprises a set of tasks (i.e., activities) and precedence relations between them. In which way do these tasks differ from activities known from pre-specified process models in activity-centric PAISs (cf. Chapter 4)?
  • Explain in your own words the meaning of the execute, skip and redo roles.
  • Discuss weaknesses of the case handling paradigm in respect to concurrent task execution and data access control.


13.2. Case Type

Consider the case type from Fig. 13.9. It comprises four tasks, six data objects, and three forms. Answer the following questions:

  • When is task A considered as finished? What does this mean in respect to the succeeding task B?
  • Assume that the user filling in Form 1 sets values for data objects x1, x2, and x3, and then closes the form. How will the execution of the case proceed afterwards?
  • Assume that both B and A are enabled, and that values for data objects x1 and x2 have been set so far. Furthermore, assume that a user holding the skip role for B wants to skip this task. How will the execution of the case proceed afterwards?
  • Will all data objects have an assigned value when a case of the depicted case type completes?
  • Assume that tasks A and B are both finished and task C is currently enabled. Furthermore, assume that a user holding the redo role for A wants to redo this task. How is this operation accomplished in the given scenario and how will the execution of the case proceed afterwards?


Fig. 13.9 Example of a Case Type


13.4. Characteristics of Object-aware Processes

  • The modeling and execution of object-aware processes is based on two levels of granularity. Describe these two levels and discuss their differences?
  • How may object behavior be realized using data-driven execution?
  • Why are explicit user commitments useful in the context of data-driven execution?
  • Explain the differences between instance-specific, context-sensitive and batch activities. Give examples for their use.


13.5. Object-aware Processes

Give examples of object-aware business processes other than the ones discussed in this chapter.


13.6. Traditional PAIS vs. Object-aware PAIS

Consider Fig. 13.8 and explain it in your own words.

Fig. 13.8 Traditional PAIS (Left) and Object-aware PAIS (Right)

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