Towards an Integrated BPM Schema

Although there have been standardization efforts for more than 10 years, heterogeneity of business process modelling (BPM) schemas is still a big problem for business process management. This paper illustrates the integration problems by discussing the example of BPEL and PNML. It highlights different control flow representations as a major challenge in this area. Using classical schema integration and the upward inheritance principle yields an integrated schema that still can be further simplified. Basically, further research is needed in three areas. Firstly, the schema integration process has to be adapted or an integration process has to be defined building on a behavior-specific common data model. Secondly, the role of such an integration methodology for standardization processes needs to be analyzed. Further engineering steps might be required to simplify the integrated schemas. Thirdly, the suitability of an integrated BPM schema developed using the integration methodology should be proven by a prototypical implementation.