Towards Automated Process and Workflow Management: A Feasibility Study on Tool-Supported and Automated Engineering Process Modeling Approaches

[Context] Engineering workflows and processes typically include a wide range of organization specific best-practices required for successful project execution. In contrast to business administration processes, engineering processes are highly specific and can include various heterogeneous engineering tools to be integrated in an overall process and project environment. [Challenge] High complexity and volatility of engineering processes require specific solutions to define, model, implement, and evaluate individual engineering process steps. In this paper we focus on the first step of process management, i.e., The process definition phase. Based on the well-established Business Process Management Notation (BPMN) various tools have been developed that aim at supporting process modeling and automation. The key question is to what extent different tools support process automation in a defined context, i.e., In heterogeneous engineering environments. [Method] Following a common tool evaluation approach, we developed an evaluation framework and conducted a feasibility study to investigate process modeling and automation capability of tools based on defined requirements and scenarios. [Results] The developed tool evaluation process was found useful for analyzing candidate process modeling tools. In addition, results of the evaluation process highlighted a set of specific tools that can support modeling and process automation. [Conclusions] The evaluation framework can enable benchmarking for process modeling tools and support (a) process engineers in selecting most valuable tools and (b) tool vendors to better understand complex process needs with respect to improving and/or extending current solutions.