Business process models are an important means to design, analyze, implement, and control business processes. As with every type of conceptual model, a business process model has to meet certain syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic quality requirements to be of value. For many years, such quality aspects were investigated by centering on the properties of the model artifact itself. Only recently, the process of model creation is considered as a factor that influences the resulting model's quality. Our work contributes to this stream of research and presents an explorative analysis of the process of process modeling (PPM). We report on two large-scale modeling sessions involving 115 students. In these sessions, the act of model creation, i.e., the PPM, was automatically recorded. We conducted a cluster analysis on this data and identified three distinct styles of modeling. Further, we investigated how both task- and modeler-specific factors influence particular aspects of those modeling styles. Based thereupon, we propose a model that captures our insights. It lays the foundations for future research that may unveil how high-quality process models can be established through better modeling support and modeling instruction. (authors' abstract)

This thesis is focused on solving specific problems in NGO organization AIESEC Praha, caused by big fluctuation, by process analysis and process management implementation. The aim of this paper is provide theoretical introduction to process management and its associated areas. In the beginning of practical part organization is introduced, also with its culture and legal environment that affects its main processes. Following strategic analysis is base for identification of single processes in the organization. Process analysis itself takes major part of thesis and involves described several driving processes through the organization. At the end the knowledge database Tiki is introduced with final conclusions and evaluation.

Modelos de processo são compostos de elementos gráficos e texto. Entretanto, as palavras utilizadas para nomear os elementos durante a modelagem de processos possuem potencial ambiguidade, o que pode resultar em problemas de qualidade do modelo de processo. Ontologias são bastante citadas na literatura como possível solução para tais problemas. Um dos principais aspectos discutidos nesta tese refere-se às palavras utilizadas para representar conceitos em rótulos de elementos de processo e porque ontologias podem contribuir para melhorar essa representação. Além disso, é apresentada uma análise sobre como especificações de requisitos podem influenciar, em alguns aspectos, os rótulos utilizados durante a modelagem de processos. A discussão acerca de ontologias neste contexto é conceitual. Ademais, um experimento foi realizado para analisar empiricamente o problema do vocabulário no contexto de modelos de processo. No experimento, a seleção de termos representados com diferentes níveis de explicitação, nas especificações de requisitos, é avaliada. Os resultados sugerem que o problema do vocabulário ocorre significativamente em modelos de processo. Além disso, diferentes níveis de explicitação afetam os rótulos criados, porém não são o suficiente para resolver o problema do vocabulário. Em relação à ontologias, há uma carência de pesquisas demonstrando se esses artefatos aprimoram de fato a modelagem de processos ou os modelos de processo resultantes. Uma análise sobre estes aspectos é apresentada, a fim de verificar se as ontologias não acabam por trazer desvantagens, ex. aumentar a carga cognitiva ou causar interferência retroativa. Para tal, um protótipo de ferramenta de modelagem de processos com suporte de ontologias foi construído, o qual registra as ações dos usuários durante o projeto. O suporte utiliza uma abordagem proposta nesta tese. Um segundo experimento foi realizado utilizando tal protótipo. Os resultados sugerem que a abordagem proposta provê suporte de ontologias sem degradar a qualidade da modelagem de processos para os quesitos carga cognitiva, tempo consumido e interferência retroativa. Neste sentido, conclui-se que é possível utilizar ontologias para melhorar a modelagem de processos sem deteriorar a qualidade da modelagem, pelo menos para os aspectos verificados no experimento. / Process models are composed of graphical elements and words. However, words used to name elements during process design have potentially ambiguous meanings, which might result in quality problems. An artifact widely referred to address these problems is ontologies. One of the main aspects discussed in the current thesis are related to words used to represent concepts in labels and why ontologies can improve this representation. Also, we analyze how the requirements specifications can influence the terms used during modeling. In this point, the discussion regarding ontologies is conceptual. We performed an experiment to analyze empirically the vocabulary problem in the context of process models. In the experiment the selection of terms represented with different levels of explicitness in requirements specifications is evaluated. Our findings suggest that the vocabulary problem occurs in process models. Also, different levels of explicitness affect the labels but are not sufficient to solve the vocabulary problem. It is well known the use of ontologies, dictionaries, thesaurus and so on as a means to improve activity labels of process models, among other aspects. However, there is a lack of researches showing whether these artifacts indeed improve modeling or the resultant process models. In this paper we analyze ontology support regarding process modeling. Another main aspect of this thesis is to verify whether ontologies, while supporting modeling, do not generate drawbacks such as increasing modeler’s cognitive load or creating retroactive interference. To this end, a prototype created in this thesis, which provides ontology support for modeling and registers user actions was adapted. The ontology support follows a modeling approach proposed by us. The experiment findings suggest that the approach was able to provide ontology support without increase cognitive load and time consumption for the task. In this light, it is possible to improve process modeling with support of other artifacts without compromising the modeling task, at least for the aspects covered in the experiment.

Modelos de processo são compostos de elementos gráficos e texto. Entretanto, as palavras utilizadas para nomear os elementos durante a modelagem de processos possuem potencial ambiguidade, o que pode resultar em problemas de qualidade do modelo de processo. Ontologias são bastante citadas na literatura como possível solução para tais problemas. Um dos principais aspectos discutidos nesta tese refere-se às palavras utilizadas para representar conceitos em rótulos de elementos de processo e porque ontologias podem contribuir para melhorar essa representação. Além disso, é apresentada uma análise sobre como especificações de requisitos podem influenciar, em alguns aspectos, os rótulos utilizados durante a modelagem de processos. A discussão acerca de ontologias neste contexto é conceitual. Ademais, um experimento foi realizado para analisar empiricamente o problema do vocabulário no contexto de modelos de processo. No experimento, a seleção de termos representados com diferentes níveis de explicitação, nas especificações de requisitos, é avaliada. Os resultados sugerem que o problema do vocabulário ocorre significativamente em modelos de processo. Além disso, diferentes níveis de explicitação afetam os rótulos criados, porém não são o suficiente para resolver o problema do vocabulário. Em relação à ontologias, há uma carência de pesquisas demonstrando se esses artefatos aprimoram de fato a modelagem de processos ou os modelos de processo resultantes. Uma análise sobre estes aspectos é apresentada, a fim de verificar se as ontologias não acabam por trazer desvantagens, ex. aumentar a carga cognitiva ou causar interferência retroativa. Para tal, um protótipo de ferramenta de modelagem de processos com suporte de ontologias foi construído, o qual registra as ações dos usuários durante o projeto. O suporte utiliza uma abordagem proposta nesta tese. Um segundo experimento foi realizado utilizando tal protótipo. Os resultados sugerem que a abordagem proposta provê suporte de ontologias sem degradar a qualidade da modelagem de processos para os quesitos carga cognitiva, tempo consumido e interferência retroativa. Neste sentido, conclui-se que é possível utilizar ontologias para melhorar a modelagem de processos sem deteriorar a qualidade da modelagem, pelo menos para os aspectos verificados no experimento. / Process models are composed of graphical elements and words. However, words used to name elements during process design have potentially ambiguous meanings, which might result in quality problems. An artifact widely referred to address these problems is ontologies. One of the main aspects discussed in the current thesis are related to words used to represent concepts in labels and why ontologies can improve this representation. Also, we analyze how the requirements specifications can influence the terms used during modeling. In this point, the discussion regarding ontologies is conceptual. We performed an experiment to analyze empirically the vocabulary problem in the context of process models. In the experiment the selection of terms represented with different levels of explicitness in requirements specifications is evaluated. Our findings suggest that the vocabulary problem occurs in process models. Also, different levels of explicitness affect the labels but are not sufficient to solve the vocabulary problem. It is well known the use of ontologies, dictionaries, thesaurus and so on as a means to improve activity labels of process models, among other aspects. However, there is a lack of researches showing whether these artifacts indeed improve modeling or the resultant process models. In this paper we analyze ontology support regarding process modeling. Another main aspect of this thesis is to verify whether ontologies, while supporting modeling, do not generate drawbacks such as increasing modeler’s cognitive load or creating retroactive interference. To this end, a prototype created in this thesis, which provides ontology support for modeling and registers user actions was adapted. The ontology support follows a modeling approach proposed by us. The experiment findings suggest that the approach was able to provide ontology support without increase cognitive load and time consumption for the task. In this light, it is possible to improve process modeling with support of other artifacts without compromising the modeling task, at least for the aspects covered in the experiment.

Modelos de processo são compostos de elementos gráficos e texto. Entretanto, as palavras utilizadas para nomear os elementos durante a modelagem de processos possuem potencial ambiguidade, o que pode resultar em problemas de qualidade do modelo de processo. Ontologias são bastante citadas na literatura como possível solução para tais problemas. Um dos principais aspectos discutidos nesta tese refere-se às palavras utilizadas para representar conceitos em rótulos de elementos de processo e porque ontologias podem contribuir para melhorar essa representação. Além disso, é apresentada uma análise sobre como especificações de requisitos podem influenciar, em alguns aspectos, os rótulos utilizados durante a modelagem de processos. A discussão acerca de ontologias neste contexto é conceitual. Ademais, um experimento foi realizado para analisar empiricamente o problema do vocabulário no contexto de modelos de processo. No experimento, a seleção de termos representados com diferentes níveis de explicitação, nas especificações de requisitos, é avaliada. Os resultados sugerem que o problema do vocabulário ocorre significativamente em modelos de processo. Além disso, diferentes níveis de explicitação afetam os rótulos criados, porém não são o suficiente para resolver o problema do vocabulário. Em relação à ontologias, há uma carência de pesquisas demonstrando se esses artefatos aprimoram de fato a modelagem de processos ou os modelos de processo resultantes. Uma análise sobre estes aspectos é apresentada, a fim de verificar se as ontologias não acabam por trazer desvantagens, ex. aumentar a carga cognitiva ou causar interferência retroativa. Para tal, um protótipo de ferramenta de modelagem de processos com suporte de ontologias foi construído, o qual registra as ações dos usuários durante o projeto. O suporte utiliza uma abordagem proposta nesta tese. Um segundo experimento foi realizado utilizando tal protótipo. Os resultados sugerem que a abordagem proposta provê suporte de ontologias sem degradar a qualidade da modelagem de processos para os quesitos carga cognitiva, tempo consumido e interferência retroativa. Neste sentido, conclui-se que é possível utilizar ontologias para melhorar a modelagem de processos sem deteriorar a qualidade da modelagem, pelo menos para os aspectos verificados no experimento. / Process models are composed of graphical elements and words. However, words used to name elements during process design have potentially ambiguous meanings, which might result in quality problems. An artifact widely referred to address these problems is ontologies. One of the main aspects discussed in the current thesis are related to words used to represent concepts in labels and why ontologies can improve this representation. Also, we analyze how the requirements specifications can influence the terms used during modeling. In this point, the discussion regarding ontologies is conceptual. We performed an experiment to analyze empirically the vocabulary problem in the context of process models. In the experiment the selection of terms represented with different levels of explicitness in requirements specifications is evaluated. Our findings suggest that the vocabulary problem occurs in process models. Also, different levels of explicitness affect the labels but are not sufficient to solve the vocabulary problem. It is well known the use of ontologies, dictionaries, thesaurus and so on as a means to improve activity labels of process models, among other aspects. However, there is a lack of researches showing whether these artifacts indeed improve modeling or the resultant process models. In this paper we analyze ontology support regarding process modeling. Another main aspect of this thesis is to verify whether ontologies, while supporting modeling, do not generate drawbacks such as increasing modeler’s cognitive load or creating retroactive interference. To this end, a prototype created in this thesis, which provides ontology support for modeling and registers user actions was adapted. The ontology support follows a modeling approach proposed by us. The experiment findings suggest that the approach was able to provide ontology support without increase cognitive load and time consumption for the task. In this light, it is possible to improve process modeling with support of other artifacts without compromising the modeling task, at least for the aspects covered in the experiment.

The work focuses on the application of process management in government through the mapping of process of providing subsidies for social services and optimization of this process. For this purpose the first part explains the terms of process management, process and process modeling that are for better follow-up with real practices put into the context of quality management, which is officially adopted by the public administration. This is the subject of the second part, which connects terms defined at the beginning with the real experience, thereby facilitating the adoption of theoretical approaches as realistically feasible and "nonlaboratory". The last part deals with analysis of the attained data and the actual modeling of process and proposals for its optimization.

This thesis focuses on modeling of business processes which are very sensitive on correct capturing of process details characterized as process events and states. At the beginning of the analysis are the process events and states classified into three types: activity related, object related and time related. Each type is analyzed in detail and there are formulated states and their transitions that form a lifecycle of each individual type of the process state. There are discussed contemporary process modeling languages starting from the very popular to relatively less known, all representing slightly different approach towards process modeling. The analysis of process events and states shows that the contemporary process modeling languages cover the defined lifecycles only partially. There are picked three popular process modeling languages and put through a test case, which is based on Czech regulation of a building process. This test case allows us to review their capabilities to capture the process events including the ways how they get along with their only partial support. Upon analysis of process events and states and the unsatisfying results of the con-temporary process modeling languages in the test case, there is introduced a new process modeling language which, as demonstrated, is capable of capturing many of the process events and states in the test case in much simpler and precise way that the three reviewed process modeling languages were able to.

The managing of complex business processes, which are changed due to globalization, calls for the development of powerful information systems that offer generic process modeling and process execution capabilities. Even though contemporary information systems are more and more utilized in enterprises, their actual impact in automatizing complex business process is still limited by the difficulties encountered in design phase. Actually this design phase is time consuming, often subjective and incomplete. In the scope of this study, a reverse approach is followed. Instead of starting with process design, the method of discovering interesting patterns from the navigation traces is taken as basis and a new data analysis methodology named &ldquo / From-to Chart Based Process Discovery&rdquo / is proposed. In this hybrid methodology &ldquo / from-to chart&rdquo / , which is fundamentally dedicated to material handling issues on production floor, is used as the front-end to monitor the transitions among activities of a realistic event log and convert these raw relations into optimum activity sequence. Then a revised version of process mining, which is the back-end of this methodology, upgrades optimum activity sequence into process model.

The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the processes in the company POP service, Ltd., also to analyze the current problem in this company and to recommend and propose measures which eliminate the causes of the emergence of the problem. The causes originate from the aspects of the management of people and processes are identified through the analysis of processes associated with the problem and eliminated on the basis of proposals metrics and responsibilities for these processes. The theoretical part of the thesis is devoted to concepts in the field of process management. The theoretical part characterizes these concepts process management, business processes, process analysis and process modeling methods, process maps, graphical notation for writing business processes, business process improvement and analysis organization. In the second part of the thesis is presented the examined organizations POP service, Ltd.. Based on the analysis of the current state are defined vision, mission and goals of the organization. Then there is described a procedure of the analysis of the current state, which is process analysis and proposal of selected processes, metrics and responsibilities for these processes. Methods of analysis are SWOT analysis, analysis of the activities, structured interviews and process analysis. The result of this thesis is to analyze the selection of processes of the company POP service, Ltd., proposal metrics, define jobs and responsibilities and suggestions for improving the selected process.

Modellbasierte virtuelle Sensoren (VS) ermöglichen die Messung von qualitätsbestimmenden Prozessparametern (bzw. Hilfsregelgrößen) dort, wo eine direkte Messung zu teuer oder gar nicht möglich ist. Für die adaptiven VS, die ihr internes Prozessmodell nach Data-Driven-Methode bilden (z. B. durch die Benutzung künstlicher neuronaler Netze (KNN)), besteht das Problem der Abschätzung der Prädiktionsstabilität. Aktuelle Lösungsansätze lösen dieses Problem nur für wenige KNN-Typen und erfordern enormen Entwurfs- und Rechenaufwand. In dieser Arbeit wird eine alternative Methode vorgestellt, welche für eine breite Klasse von KNN gilt und keinen hohen Entwurfs- und Rechenaufwand erfordert. Die neue Methode wurde anhand realer Anwendungsbeispiele getestet und hat sehr gute Ergebnisse geliefert. Für die nicht adaptiven virtuellen Sensoren wurde eine aufwandsreduzierte Adaption nach Smith-Schema vorgeschlagen. Dieses Verfahren ermöglicht die Regelung totzeitbehafteter und zeitvarianter Prozesse mit VS in einem geschlossenen Regelkreis. Im Vergleich zu anderen Regelungsstrategien konnte damit vergleichbare Regelungsqualität bei einem deutlich geringeren Entwurfsaufwand erzielt werden. / Model-based virtual sensors allow the measurement of parameters critical for process quality where a direct measurement is too expensive or not at all possible. For the adaptive virtual sensors built after data-driven method (e.g., by use of an ANN model) there is a problem of the prediction stability. Current solutions attempt to solve this problem only for a few ANN types and require a very high development effort. In this dissertation a new method for the solution of this problem is suggested, which is valid for a wide class of the ANNs and requires no high development effort. The new method was tested on real application examples and has delivered very good results. For the non-adaptive virtual sensors a simple adaptation mechanism was suggested. This technique allows the control of dead-time and time-variant processes in closed loop. Besides, in comparison to other control strategies the comparable results were achieved with smaller development effort.