Complexity in business processes
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This document discusses complexity in business processes through examples related to purchasing a cell phone. It begins by introducing frameworks for understanding architecture and complexity, such as the Zachman Framework. It then provides three examples of increasing complexity: problems of simplicity with limited interactions; problems of disorganized complexity with many global variables; and problems of organized complexity which requires engineering interrelationships before modeling is possible. The goal is to illustrate how complexity arises from the arrangement and interactions of system components.
Complexity in business processes
- 1. Complexity in Business Processes • Context: Set up a view of the current level of complexity involved with business process architecture • The following documents will be helpful to understand my suggestion • Zachman Framework or Structure - https://www.zachman.com/about-the-zachman- framework • Warren Weavers Science and Complexity https://www.jstor.org/stable/27826254?seq=1#page_sca n_tab_contents • Brad Mercer’s presentation on Architecting https://www.slideshare.net/bradmercer/090501- thoughts-on-architecting-v43 • IEEE 42010 - 2011
- 2. Business Process Statement • Person researches cell phone types and visits a store to buy a cell phone. At the store she or he pays to buy the cell phone. The phone is purchased, unlocked, fitted with a SIM card and made ready for use. Cell Phone Research Travel to Store Cell Phone Test Cell Phone Purchase Cell Phone Activation Cell Phone Use Buyer Buyer Buyer Sales Agent Techni cian Buyer
- 3. What is Architecture & Architecting • Architecture n.- an intrinsic quality or property of a system consisting of the arrangement and interrelationships, both static and dynamic, among its components and their externally visible properties; the structure or form of a system. • Architecting employs synthesis of form to iteratively compose separate elements to form a coherent whole, or a representation of a coherent whole, that can serve as an “initial point” for system development. Both from presentation of Brad Mercer
- 4. From John Zachman Website “Zachman Framework” can be used to identify the elements of any system. Once the elements have been identified their relationship can be studied. Interactions between the elements is driver of “complexity”. (these elements can be internal or external to the system) Business Variables
- 5. Why How What Who Where When Why How What Who Where When Relationship between variables defines business processes. The complexity of the business landscape is defined by the interaction between the variables . How How How Who Who Who Business Process Variable Interaction Who Where Who Who How What CRUD Data Interaction RACI RACI – Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed CRUD – create, read, update, and delete
- 6. The 3 headers in next 3 slides • Problems of Simplicity • Problems of disorganized complexity • Problems of organized complexity From Warren Weavers Paper “Science and Complexity”
- 7. Problems of Simplicity The current methods of architecting processes are typically problems of simplicity : There are very limited interactions and dependencies. All dependencies are linear or binary in nature. (If, then logic). Typically answer “how” and “who” Cell Phone Research Travel to Store Cell Phone Test Cell Phone Purchase Cell Phone Activation Cell Phone Use Buyer Buyer Buyer Sales Agent Techni cian Buyer Buyer Sales Agent Techni cian Buyer Possible Interactions Techni cian Buyer Sales Agent
- 8. Problems of disorganized complexity A lot of people around the whole world is doing research on purchase of cell phone People are contacting different carriers, going to shops and using internet to identify phones There are lot of phone specification. There are lot of websites and stores Lot of phone manufacturing with lots of models with various comm. standards. There are many shop with SIM cards of various types Many people are using cell phone for phone calls, browsing, text, camera, music etc. Compared to most physical complex systems like room full of gas molecules or human DNA this is pretty simple.
- 9. Problems of organized complexity Specific region in US has people who want to buy cell phone There are limited cell phone carriers in their region with very specific standards There are limited cell phone manufacturers with specific models which can be used. Cell phone companies work with carriers to follow their standardsThey research through internet or physical stores Some users get suggestions from their carriers Users can use their cell phones in their regions
- 10. Problems of organized complexity • This case will require certain engineering activity before we can architect or model it as for example: • Understanding underlying communication standards offered by carriers. • Capability of phones to use such standards. • SIM card standards • Activation method for phones • ……..
- 11. The 3 examples of complexity • Problems of Simplicity : 2 agent interactions, 2 or 3 decision points (phone type, model, price) Easy to model • Problems of disorganized complexity: “n” number of agents, few hundred carriers, 30 phone companies, few thousand regions, various prices and taxes, various standards. Very difficult to model • Problems of organized complexity: About 5 carriers, 3 standards, about 8 phone companies with about a hundred phone models, few thousand consumers everyday. (limited channelized interaction). Architecting and modeling this process can be possible only when it is “engineered” to certain degree.