Transforming Parallel Business Process Models into Hierarchical Statecharts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Parallel business process models are not well captured by statecharts due to their hierarchical structure requirements, as statecharts necessitate hierarchical structuring of parallel paths, whereas business process models allow any combination of parallel paths.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatically transforming parallel business process models into hierarchical statecharts by generating FORK edge sub-statecharts and synchronizer sub-statecharts for each FORK and JOIN node, respectively, to form an intermediate hierarchical statechart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If parallel paths are hierarchically structured as distinct sub-statecharts in statecharts, then the hierarchical structure requirement is satisfied, but the flexibility to represent any combination of parallel paths from business process models is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the statechart into multiple sub-statecharts, each representing a parallel path from the business process model. The transformation method divides the original statechart into hierarchical sub-statecharts that can independently represent different parallel paths while maintaining their individual structures, thus preserving the flexibility of the original BPM while satisfying statechart hierarchical requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing sub-statecharts within a hierarchical structure where parent statecharts contain child sub-statecharts representing parallel paths. Each sub-statechart is nested within the appropriate parent state, allowing the system to maintain hierarchical organization while capturing complex parallel path combinations from business process models through multiple levels of nesting
2Adaptability or versatility
If business process models allow any combination of parallel paths, then modeling flexibility is improved, but compatibility with statechart hierarchical structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transformation method that acts as a mediator between business process models and statecharts. This transformation process converts BPMN parallel path constructs into equivalent statechart hierarchical structures through systematic mapping rules, ensuring that the semantic meaning and behavioral characteristics are preserved while achieving compatibility with statechart requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the structural parameters of parallel paths from the flat, flexible BPMN representation into the hierarchical parameter structure required by statecharts. The transformation modifies the organizational parameters while preserving the behavioral parameters, allowing any combination of parallel paths to be represented within the constrained hierarchical framework
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is provided for automatically transforming a Business Process Model (BPM) into a hierarchical statechart. The BPM has parallel paths with at least one FORK node and at least one JOIN node. The method includes, responsive to identifying each of the at least one FORK node in the BPM in a node analysis: (i) generating a FORK edge sub-statechart having an initial state and a working state for each of edges from the at least one FORK node, and attaching the FORK edge sub-statechart to a hierarchical state for the at least one FORK node; and (ii) generating a synchronizer sub-statechart corresponding to each JOIN node going through the FORK node to receive a synchronization event from each FORK edge sub-statechart, and attaching the synchronizer sub-statechart to the hierarchical state for the at least one FORK node to form an intermediate version of the hierarchical statechart.