ENRICHING UML ACTIVITY MODEL USING BUSINESS PROCESS LANGUAGES

Abstract

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) activity model is widely accepted for modeling business processes from purely technical views. Because it is rich high level design language and supported by standard body; Object Management Group (OMG) which involve most of top worldwide IT players. For that reason activity models have attracted several enterprises. It turns out in modeling information systems, business processes are main component so needs suitable modeling language such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) that originated in organization domain. According to OMG specification, BPMN is used by business modelers from abstract point of view. This situation has created a gap between business modelers and software modelers in terms of communication. However, learning new language has the cost of learning curve for both business and software modelers. Since UML activity model has commonality with BPMN as both share the core principles of behavior modeling, this research proposes an enhancement to UML activity model by introducing business concepts so technical modelers can speak with UML activity a different language. This synergistic relationship not only doubles the benefit of UML activity model and reduces the learning curve, but also highlights the differences that add value to providers of software editors. The shortcomings of activity model that make it unable to express business concepts were determined in this research. A light weight extension or a Profile has been designed to introduce some concepts and features where activity model lacks to present. The proposed Profile has been evaluated by modeling case studies. It became able to represent the elements (they have been defined) which could not be model by activity diagram before.