Supporting data-aware processes with MERODE

Most data-aware process modelling approaches have been developed from a process perspective and lack a full-fledged data modelling approach. In addition, the evaluation of data-centric process approaches reveals that, even though their value is acknowledged, their usability is a point of concern. This paper presents a data-aware process modelling approach combining full-fledged domain modelling based on UML class diagrams and state charts with BPMN and DMN. The approach is illustrated by means of an elaborated example with multiple business processes on top of a joint domain model. A proof-of-concept has been implemented using the MERODE code generator, linking the resulting prototype application to a Camunda BPM engine, making use of RESTful web services. The proposed approach is evaluated against 20 requirements for data-aware processes and demonstrates that the majority of these are already satisfied by the out-of-the-box combination of the Camunda BPM engine with the prototype generated from a MERODE domain model.