Is Express obsolete?

Hi Richard,

we have a very comprehensive SOA modelling method available [e.g. 1 and 2] in our professional tools, but I wonder why something like that should be needed in a tool targeting entry users to the topic of BPM?

Regards,

Sebastian

[1] http://www.ariscommunity.com/users/sstein/2008-11-12-aris-and-soa

[2] http://www.ariscommunity.com/users/sstein/2009-07-06-soa-enabling-businessit-alignment

I think you need a way for BPM modellers to define their service requirements. As far as I can see, Express still supports the old method of directly linking process steps to applications and databases. This is OK for documenting "as is" legacy environments but is a big problem for SOA designers.

Processes should be linked to Capability objects to define what is required from supporting services or applications. This is an "implementation-neutral" way of defining requirements. The full ARIS SOA toolset supports searching on capabilities to find available services to fulfil needs. This must be reflected in Express. Otherwise process analysts will be unable to define their service requirements.

Also, if Express is aimed at college students, you shoudl be encouraging them to think about a service-based approach from the start. Otherwise, they will prefer UML 2 tools which do incorporate (poorly in my view) SOA concepts.

Hi Richard,

ARIS Express is a file based easy to use BPM modeling tool. It tries to give beginners an understanding of BPM. Further it is a file based tool and no alternative to a full blown BPM repository like ARIS.

The service search you mentioned works in the scope of a repository.

Students that wish to have a look at the SOA concepts covered by ARIS can get a free ARIS license at ARIS campus.

Cheers

Jens

Jens,

I agree that Express is not intended as a full-scale repository tool and would not expect search capabilities within it. However, to be a leading BPM tool today, Express needs to support at least minimum SOA concepts i.e. that processes are supported by business services (internal or external). I

Surely, it should be quite simple to add the Capability object as an option for the process model?

As an Architect, I am very concerned that process analysts should not dictate "to be" solutions by defining exactly what applications and databases should be used. Express seems to be encouraging this.

Regards,

Richard

Hi Richard,

I understand your concerns.

From an architect point of view I would agree with you.

But here is our dilemma:

An architect would like to see SOA and EA concepts.

Another person would like to see concepts to model requirements and plan projects.

Someone else would like to see UML, analytics, Simulation, Balanced Scorecard, .........

And then we would have the complete ARIS methodology. Which is of course too big for an easy modelling tool aiming at beginners.

Further I don't know if ARIS express is the right tool to model a complete enterprise "As-Is" and "To be" architecture and to identify the gaps. I think ARIS can do this job much better.

Regards,

Jens

I'd rather see the current "architecture" objects removed from Express than to leave legacy thinking embedded in a brand new product.

The underlying metamodel seems to be stuck in the 1990's. As I said at the beginning of this thread, I am very disappointed that this opportunity has been missed.

Hi Richard,

that are very strong words about a metamodel, which was and is successfully used in many projects worldwide. Today, nobody knows if service-orientation has any long term value or if it is just a fashion. However, judging from the past 20 years we can say for sure that business process modelling in general has value. And that is what is possible with ARIS Express. For those users interested in such advanced concepts such as SOA, we provide distinct products, which fulfil all the needs you stated above.

Regards,

Sebastian

Sebastian,

You are right. I do feel strongly about this. I think ARIS is a great product but it is still evolving in how it integrates BPM (which I have always supported over UML) with architecture. I wouldn't be complaining if Express was just a BPM product but it also includes "architecture" objects and modelling. If your'e going to include this stuff then you need to do it right. Otherwise, leave it out.

I think services are here to stay (just look at SAP Netweaver, Oracle Fusion, Microsoft .NET, SaaS etc) and any modern modelling tool should be able to describe them.

We must get away from analysts defining "to be" requirements in terms of direct application and database access.

I have been working with IDS consultants over the last year to try and find ways to model this with ARIS and have high hopes that future releases will provide better support.

Regards,

Richard

Hi Richard,

well generally, Express is not made to replace ARIS professional products.Therefore, it will never be as powerfull as, let's say, ARIS Business Designer.

But it would really help if you tell us your ideas: how should the perfect BPM tool look like? What is a "must" for you, and how should the software support in an ideal way?

Bye,

Frank

Frank,

All I want, at this stage, is for the process models to support the Capability object (was IT Function) from the full ARIS suite. This would enable service requirements to be documented and passed to the designers without referring to specific applications or databases.

I assume that the Express models will be able to be added into the ARIS repository (is that right?) in which case the defined Capabilities can then be used to search for services as per SOA Architect.

I really don't understand why Express needs to include system landscapes, data models and infrastructure models if it is aimed at BPM starters. Better, in my opinion, to focus on process analysis and requirements definition - that reminds me - why no Requirements object either?

It seems to me that Express is a cut-down version of Business Designer but without thinking through the usage scenarios (see separate thread).

Best regards,

Richard

I must say say that ARIS Express provides us "BPM-nerds" a great opportunity to promote the concept of BPM. As a consultant, my biggest challange is to make people like the word "process" and make them appreciate "models of the real world". It is from simple models we can discuss business issues for better desicion making. We shouldnt waste time "modeling the universe". We should focus on creating good foundations in order to make good business decisions.

ARIS Express makes this so much easier because its free of charge, have a great intuitive interface, easy to export to PDF or EMF.

I must add to the thread above that I also miss the Capability Objects (especially as I work close to SAP consultant very often). But no one will understand that complexity if we dont even get past the obstacle of understanding the value with proper BPM. ARIS Express will make my jobb as a BPM consultant much easier and it will for the future help us promote tools like ARIS Business Architect for decision makers i plenty of organisations.

Best regards

Peter,

I agree that Express is great for "BPM-nerds" but why does it have bits of architecture stuff in it too. My point is that "Architect-nerds" may get annoyed if the BPM guys produce half-solutions because a lot of the stuff needed is missing.

Why put it in at all?  Why not add more stuff for BPM/requirements to make it better for BPM?

If a simple Architecture tool is needed (and I think it is) then it should meet "Architect-nerd" needs. Bring it on!

Richard

Hi,

I have to agree with Richard here... When I first heard about ARIS and wanted to try it out, I downloaded ARIS Express to get an idea of what ARIS was all about. I was quite surpriced and very disapointed when I saw how "primitive" the tool was with regards to connecting business processes to system architecture (lack of UML support, no Capabilities, no Requirements etc.).

Because of this unfortunate encounter with a "toy" (as opposed to a serious tool) I decided to stick with Visio untill i could find a more mature tool.

I later discovered that the "real" ARIS is a completely different animal than ARIS Express and got back into the ARIS game...

BUT, be carefull when making a "junior" version of a "senior" tool so that it's not sending the wrong signals to experienced architects wanting to check ARIS out. They may not come back again!

Regards,

BjørnS