This paper presents an extension of the Subject-oriented Business Process Management (S-BPM) methodology to integrate organizational structures and agent assignment mechanisms. While S-BPM offers a robust framework for modeling business processes based on the Parallel Activity Specification Schema (PASS), it lacks explicit constructs for associating organizational agents-such as humans, machines, or services-with process subjects. To address this gap, we propose an enhancement of the S-BPM methodology by incorporating an external organizational model and an Organizational Query Language (OQL) interface. This extension enables fine-grained specification of process initiation permissions, dynamic assignment of agents to subjects, and direct derivation of access rights to business objects from process models. Our approach leverages an organization model server to evaluate OQL expressions at runtime, supporting context-sensitive and rule-based agent selection. We demonstrate how these enhancements facilitate advanced organizational scenarios, such as context-dependent approval processes and multi-agent assignments. By embedding access rights directly into process models, our solution eliminates the need for traditional access control lists. This integration significantly improves automation, compliance, and maintainability in enterprise environments.
This essay presents a philosophical discussion and analysis of the modeling paradigm of object-orientation-viewed through the lens of the modeling paradigm of subject-orientation. One aspect of this investigation is the hypothesis that, from a subject-oriented perspective, there currently is no such thing as object-oriented process modeling. The work aims to explore and clarify the nature of object-orientation by examining what it means to model objects classically. Through theoretical reflection, the goal is to better understand both object-oriented and subject-oriented modeling approaches in comparison and to identify the role object-orientation might play within a subject-oriented framework. This reflection includes a derivation of what can be meaningfully modeled using object-oriented concepts and leads to the formulation of requirements for object-oriented modeling within the subject-oriented paradigm. The work thereby contributes to the broader discourse by advancing a specific conceptual position and forms the basis for further discussions on integrating or aligning object-oriented constructs within the theory of subject-orientation.
The current technology-driven transformation of business processes (and everyday life) must be embedded in collaborative decision making processes. Simple design representations that require no knowledge of specific modelling languages facilitate the involvement of multiple stakeholders. However, they must be related in a structured and at the same time creative way to be an effective means in developing a shared design understanding. This paper proposes concepts for an integrated use of two design rationale representations: scenarios as concrete descriptions of situations of use and QOC diagrams as more abstract descriptions of whole design spaces. Corresponding tool support is presented which supports the intertwined creation of scenarios and QOC diagrams. The tool can easily be extended to include other design representations as demonstrated at the example of integrating personas and use cases.
The consulting industry faces the challenge of retaining qualified personnel in the long term to maintain its performance. This study examines how data-based analyses of job interviews can help predict employee retention and make HR processes more efficient. Based on 565 data sets from a consulting firm, concepts correlating with employee retention are identified using text mining and the CHAID decision tree method, and are assigned to the Big Five personality factors. The results show that agreeableness and extraversion, in particular, have predictive significance. Furthermore, the analysis reveals considerable optimization potential along the entire HR lifecycle: insights from personnel selection are hardly systematically transferred to downstream processes such as talent management, onboarding and offboarding. The study concludes with concrete recommendations for a lifecycle-oriented, data-based HR design in consulting firms.
This paper introduces webPASS, a lightweight, web-native PASS modeling environment designed to democratize access and foster collaboration. webPASS integrates a metamodel-based validation engine to ensure semantic consistency, supports real-time multi-user editing with change tracking, and allows customization and integration with existing S-BPM toolchains. The frontend is based on TypeScript, Vue 3, and Pinia, providing an interactive user interface. The backend facilitates seamless data exchange between clients, enabling communication through WebSocket connections. The proposed model editor utilizes JSON-LD as the internal representation format for models, as it offers a standardized, flexible, and extensible approach to representing complex data structures. Our solution eliminates traditional barriers to entry, thus making advanced process modeling accessible to a wider audience. The integrated versioning capabilities allow users to track changes, revert to previous states, and branch models for experimental modifications. This functionality is critical for maintaining audit trails in regulated industries and academic research.
