Taxonomy of Flexibility in Business Processes.

Abstract

Gil Regev, Pnina Soffer, Rainer Schmidt The aim of this working paper is to suggest a taxonomy of flexibility in business processes. The taxonomy should be generic. Hence, it relies on a minimal set of assumptions. We consider business processes as the dynamic aspect of an organization. Business processes can be addressed using the two layers of instance, and type. A process instance layer is an actual occurrence in the organization. The process type layer aggregates the instances as a template they all should fit. Business process flexibility Flexibility is the ability to yield to change without disappearing, i.e. without losing identity [ReWe05]. A business process is flexible if it is possible to change it without replacing it completely. Business process flexibility [Bide05], [Soff05], [Schm05] is the capability to implement changes in the business process type and instances by changing only those parts that need to be changed and keeping other parts stable.