Title
Business process model patterns: state-of-the-art, research classification and taxonomy
Abstract
Purpose Patterns have proven to be useful for documenting general reusable solutions to a commonly occurring problem. In recent years, several different business process management (BPM)-related patterns have been published. Despite the large number of publications on this subject, there is no work that provides a comprehensive overview and categorization of the published business process model patterns. The purpose of this paper is to close this gap by providing a taxonomy of patterns as well as a classification of 89 research works. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed 280 research articles following a structured iterative procedure inspired by the method for taxonomy development from Nickerson et al. (2013). Using deductive and inductive reasoning processes embedded in concurrent as well as joint research activities, the authors created a taxonomy of patterns as well as a classification of 89 research works. Findings In general, the findings extend the current understanding of BPM patterns. The authors identify pattern categories that are highly populated with research works as well as categories that have received far less attention such as risk and security, the ecological perspective and process architecture. Further, the analysis shows that there is not yet an overarching pattern language for business process model patterns. The insights can be used as starting point for developing such a pattern language. Originality/value Up to now, no comprehensive pattern taxonomy and research classification exists. The taxonomy and classification are useful for searching pattern works which is also supported by an accompanying website complementing the work. In regard to future research and publications on patterns, the authors derive recommendations regarding the content and structure of pattern publications.
Year
DOI
Venue
2019
10.1108/BPMJ-01-2018-0021
BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
Keywords
Field
DocType
Survey,Pattern,Process model,Pattern taxonomy,Research classification
Inductive reasoning,Categorization,Business process management,Computer science,Knowledge management,Originality,Process architecture,Pattern language,Business process modeling
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
25.0
5.0
1463-7154
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
12
Authors
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Michael Fellmann15118.08
Agnes Koschmider263967.17
Ralf Laue354242.64
Andreas Schoknecht4328.97
Arthur Vetter500.68