EM-BPMN4SBP: a BPMN extension methodology for sensitive business process specification

Purpose This study aims to systematically develop a valid and rigorous BPMN extension, called “BPMN4SBP,” supporting the multi-dimensional modeling of Sensitive Business Processes (SBPs) (i.e. the knowledge, functional, organizational, behavioral, informational and intentional dimensions). The objective of the new extension is to explicitly integrate all the relevant issues and aspects relevant at the coupling/intersection of the business process modeling (BPM) domain and the knowledge management (KM) domain for improving the identification and management of crucial knowledge which are mobilized and created by these processes. Design/methodology/approach This study provides the analysis of requirements and relevant concepts for modeling SBPs. Based on a core domain ontology, need for extension is identified, and the valid BPMN4SBP extension is designed (according to the BPMN extension mechanism) by the construction of a conceptual domain model and the corresponding BPMN extension model. This extended BPMN4SBP meta-model is derived by applying model transformation rules and by adapting, also, the UML profile mechanism to BPMN. Findings The BPMN4SBP extension provides a solid foundation for both semi-formal modeling of SBPs and for deriving executable workflow models in BPEL because of its conformance to the BPMN specification. Thus, this extension can be applied by domain experts or even customized/adapted by model engineers. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first approach that systematically adapts the BPMN standard to SBP modeling in the KM domain, which explicitly addresses the integration and representation of the knowledge dimension and all other aspects relevant at the coupling/intersection of BPM-KM in the BPMN 2.0.2 meta-model and notation.