Sequence-Based Compliance Measurement for Business Process Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring process compliance with reference models are inadequate as they rely on process equivalence, which fails to account for differences in structure and implementation details, leading to inaccurate compliance assessments.
Innovation Solution
A sequence-based compliance measurement method that calculates compliance between adopted reference models and as-is models by analyzing firing sequences and accounting for granularity, partitions, and cycles, allowing for the identification of non-compliant process instances and iterative adjustments to improve business processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If process equivalence algorithms are used to measure compliance, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is low due to inability to account for structural differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compliance measurement process into distinct components: (1) extracting firing sequences from process models, (2) comparing sequences using edit distance algorithms, and (3) calculating compliance metrics. This segmentation allows for more precise measurement by analyzing the actual execution flow rather than just structural equivalence, while keeping each component manageable and well-defined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from structural equivalence to sequence-based behavioral comparison. By using firing sequences (which represent the actual execution order of activities) and applying edit distance algorithms, the system achieves higher precision in compliance measurement by capturing the dynamic behavior of processes rather than static structural properties.
2Reliability
If existing compliance algorithms are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of compliance assessment is low due to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the calculated compliance metrics (edit distance, compliance degree) to identify deviations from reference models. This feedback mechanism enables reliable compliance assessment by quantitatively measuring how much actual process executions deviate from expected behaviors, allowing organizations to target specific improvement areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or simple equivalence-based compliance checking with an automated sequence analysis system. By substituting the mechanical process of manual compliance verification with an automated algorithm that compares firing sequences and calculates edit distances, the system achieves both high reliability through precise measurement and maintained ease of operation through automation.
3Measurement precision
If process models with different structures are compared using equivalence algorithms, then the adaptability is high, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to structural differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by focusing on the execution flow (firing sequences) rather than static model structures. This allows the system to handle different model structures adaptively while maintaining measurement precision, as the comparison is based on the dynamic behavior (sequence of activity executions) rather than rigid structural equivalence. The edit distance algorithm naturally accommodates variations in model structure by measuring the minimum number of operations needed to transform one sequence into another.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of measuring process compliance. The method includes storing an adopted reference model of a business process and storing process instances of the business process. The method further includes generating an as-is model from the plurality of process instances. The method further includes calculating a sequence-based compliance measurement between the adopted reference model and the as-is model. The method further includes outputting the sequence-based compliance measurement. The sequence-based compliance measurement may be used to evaluate or to improve the business process.