This also stands for Business Process Modeling Notation or in easier terms as BPMN.  This is a standard for modeling business processes.  These processes will include internal and external business services.  These standards are put forth by the Business Process Management Initiative ( http://www.BPMI.org ).  BPMN is a core enabler for Business Process Management (BPM).  This is usually focused in the Enterprise Architecture world.  BPM is focused with managing the change to improve the business processes.

BPMN is the standard for modeling the flows of business processes and web services.  This was created by the Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI), with the first goal being to provide a notation that is readily understandable to all business users.  This includes business analysts, because they are usually the designer of the drafts of processes that the technical staff will be responsible for implementing with the technology that is currently available.

There are three Dimensions of BPM

1. Business: The Value Dimension
2. Process: The Transformation Dimension
3. Management: The Enabling Dimension

Business: The Value Dimension

The business dimension is the metric of value and the creation of value for both the customers and the stakeholders

BPM directly facilitates the goals and objectives of the business enterprise:

• Sustain top-line growth.
• Improve bottom-line performance.
• Increase innovation.
• Improve productivity.
• Enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction.
• Elevate the levels of staff effectiveness.

Process: The Transformation Dimension

This dimension creates value through structured activities called processes.  Operational processes transform resources and materials into products or services for the customers.  The "Transformation" is how a business works.  The more effective the transformation, the more successfully you create value.

When a business processes are more effective, more transparent, and more agile.  Problems are solved before they become issues.  Processes produce fewer errors, and those errors that are found will surface faster and fixed sooner.

Management: The Enabling Dimension

Management is the enabling dimension.  Management sets the people and the systems into motion.  The processes are then put in to action to produce the business goals and objectives.
 

What is Process Modeling

• Capturing an ordered sequence of business activities and supporting information.
• There are different levels of process modeling
• Process Maps: simple flow charts of activities.
• Process Descriptions: flow charts extended with additional information, but not enough to fully define the actual performance.
• Process Models; flow charts extended so that the process can be analyzed, simulated and/or executed.

Business Process Modeling Notation:

• Flow-chart based notation used for describing an organization's business process.
• These notation (symbols) are an agreed upon symbolism between multiple modeling tool vendors so the modelers can have a single notation to work use.
• This also provides a path to generate a Business Process Executable Language (BPEL)
  

Development Drivers

• Acceptable and usable by the business community
• Would be used for more than general business purposes.
• Intended to be uncommitted to any particular methodology
• Methodologies will give guidance as to the purpose and level of detail for modeling
• Can be as complex as it needs to be.
  

Sub Page(s)	Description
BPMN Diagram Symbols	This page will show the different symbols that can be used for modeling a business process and also describe what each symbol means.
BPM Resources	This page will hold sites that I have used to understand and to reference Business Process Modeling.