Bartosz Marcinkowski

A business process modeling notation extension for risk handling

During the years of prosperity, numerous organizations neglected numerous aspects of risk management. As systematic approach to handling identified risks is crucial to achieving success by the organization, modern business modeling standards and techniques are supposed to take risk-related features into account. The article is devoted to elaborating and exemplifying an extension aimed at risk handling for OMGs Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), one of the most prospective standards for business process modeling. After an introduction, key risk management concepts are discussed. Section 3 discusses extensions introduced within BPMN meta-model, while section 4 exemplifies proposed concepts. The article is concluded with a summary.

SysML Requirement Diagrams: Banking Transactional Platform Case Study

The aim of this paper is an investigation into the practicality of SysML Requirement Diagrams in requirement identification and specification for an Internet banking transactional platform. The research attempts to discover if SysML Requirement Diagrams can be applied not only for defining requirements in engineering domains, but also for conducting business cases. The paper is structured as follows: after the Introduction, the prerequisites of requirement specification in SysML are clarified in Section 2. Section 3 exemplifies the containment relationships in a banking transactional platform case study. A Requirement Diagram of a Money Transfer Service in both graphical and tabular form is developed and explained in Section 4, followed by Conclusions. The study has generated demand for more in-depth analysis of business requirements specification using other functionally related SysML/UML diagrams.

The Enriched UTAUT Model for the Acceptance of Software Engineering Tools in Academic Education

ABSTRACT This article provides an enriched technology acceptance model explaining the impact of both classic and additional variables on software engineering tools acceptance within Information Systems Development courses. Two novel, domain-specific variables were identified (i.e., Professional Training Diffusion and Model Interchange). Statistical verification of the proposed model and study regarding the influence of the variables on students’ intention to use specific tools were conducted—providing users with enhanced means of selecting optimal software for real-life projects.

SysML Parametric Diagrams in Business Applications

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) has been extensively used in the systems engineering domain. It has become a commonly accepted standard. However, not all expectations of system engineers have been met by UML. Therefore, a new language, based on UML but strongly supplemented by notions specific for the systems engineering field, has been proposed by the International Council on System Engineering (INCOSE) and Object Management Group (OMG). New types of diagrams specific for the technical spheres of systems engineering have been proposed and included in a standard set of 9 types of SysML diagrams. While they are successfully used in systems engineering, systems analysts have gone the opposite way—they have experimented with the appropriateness of SysML diagrams for applications in business and administration organizations. In this chapter, a case study of inventory control systems in industrial and commercial organizations, originating from business principles, theory of prognosis and operations research, is used to verify the usefulness of one of the leading and most characteristic SysML diagrams, i.e. the Parametric Diagram. Following the Introduction, the role of SysML in the development of inventory control systems is outlined. In Sect. 3, a Block Definition Diagram as a basis for parametric analysis is specified. Section 4 provides selected case study results. The chapter is finalized with Conclusions.

Making IT global – what facility management brings to the table?

ABSTRACT Globalization retains an imposing future for the managers of numerous companies, while the global information systems (IS) play a significant role in the connection, collection, access and analysis of information produced in interrelated operations from numerous national markets. The popularity of such systems in textile, manufacturing, finance and supply chain grows, as well as the development of IT support for global services remains a challenge. Through a Participatory Action Research project in a global service provider specialized in Facility Management, we investigated the necessity of introducing a systematic integrative approach by a national company for the Global System Development and approaching the issues emerging in a multinational context. As a result, an expansion model for a globalizing company was synthesized and the issues regarding its application discussed. The cultural differences involved in Facility Management market operation regarding both developing and developed European countries were identified and functionality, non-functional requirements and architecture of a global IS were elaborated. Finally, IS development strategy/development process management is outlined for corporations to achieve and maintain global competitiveness.

Business Intelligence in Facility Management: Determinants and Benchmarking Scenarios for Improving Energy Efficiency

ABSTRACT This study investigates data sources for Business Intelligence solutions, which provide a foundation for holistic analyses, optimization, and forecasting of electrical power consumption within Facility Management for retail facilities networks. A multiple case study among Polish subsidiaries of Sweden, France, and UK-based companies along with a domestic Polish has been conducted. The authors identify, verify, and organize the determinants augmenting an energy efficiency-oriented decision-making process and introduce a set of potential benchmarking scenarios for managing it.

Project Management in International IT Ventures – Does the Practice Go Hand in Hand with Theory?

IT solutions provide international and global businesses with effective means of coordinating local operations and facilitating flow of essential information and knowledge across national borders. The paper focuses on project management challenges regarding development of proprietary IT solution by a multinational facility management company – SESCOM Group. The goal of the paper is to establish inefficiencies regarding development sub-cycles of the solutions within the Agile Business Process Management Model introduced in SESCOM Group. Research incorporates Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, providing insight into current situation of the company as depicted by all stakeholders involved in the research process at baseline analysis stage and highlights discrepancies between practice and theory.

How Close to Reality is the "as-is" Business Process Simulation Model?

Abstract Background and Purpose: Business process simulation (BPS) model is based on real-life data form sources like databases, observations and interviews. It acts as “as-is” business scenario can used for reengineering. The main challenge is to gather relevant data and to develop simulation model. Research aims to elaborate BPS model and to systematically assess how close to reality it is. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research has been performed in Polish telecommunications company. Authors investigate technical process of expanding cellular network. After elaborating “as-is” model, authors use ADONIS simulation tool to run a series simulations and confront simulation results with actual historical events. After this, assessment whether computer simulation model can precisely map real-life business process - and consequently act as credible basis for process improvement - is made. Results: The simulation model has been constructed with data from the WfMS database, observations, staff knowledge and their experience. Fully equipped simulation model is found to allow reconstructing the historical execution of business activity with low margin for error. Some limitation were identified and discussed. Conclusion: BPS is not a popular approach for process reengineering and improvement yet. Data collection issues for BPS that require adopting process mining techniques and additional information sources are among the reasons for that. In our study, computer simulation outputs are compatible with historical events. Hence the model reflects the business reality and can be taken as a reference model while redesigning the process.

Beyond BPMN Data Objects – Method Tailoring and Assessment

Data-related modeling capabilities within Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) are intentionally restricted to being handled within dynamic process perspective and do not enable implementation of individual processes in dedicated workflow engines and/or iterative improvement of process specifications by running simulations using specialized software. Thus, achieving the level of executable processes effectively is largely dependent on the proper selection and introducing notations that are complementary to BPMN. The current paper is aimed at identification of suitable complementary techniques to support the organizations’ business process models with document and data structure-oriented specifications as well as verification of the support for such techniques among future business analysts. Authors develop and exemplify original UML profile for BPMN data object modeling that serves as a basis for acceptance research. Models prepared with the profile are assessed using a questionnaire survey designed in accordance with Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Considerations in Introducing a Blended Learning Environment Dedicated to Training Computer Network Administrators

Increasing the flexibility of ICT teaching process may be achieved by extending the scope of application of e-learning tools. In order to reach candidates who may not fit the rigid course schedules, Cisco Academies consider application of simulation, emulation as well as remote equipment management environments. The goal of the current article to examine the validity and the economic viability of extending usage of e-learning components by Academy Support Center / Instructor Training Center at the University of Gdansk (UG) beyond knowledge transfer domain and covering skills development domain. Questionnaire survey was used to capture learning preferences of all the candidates to take part in networking courses in 2012 fall. Selected survey results were analyzed and discussed in the paper.