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Introduction
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Software Engineering

Transformation of UML Activity Diagram for Enhanced Reasoning

Profile image of Thierry ChaussaletThierry Chaussalet

2018, Proceedings of the Future Technologies Conference (FTC) 2018

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02683-7_33
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18 pages

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Abstract

IT industry has adopted unified modeling language activity diagram (UML-AD) as a de facto standard. UML AD facilitates modelers to graphically represent and document business processes to show the flow of activities and behavior of a system. However, UML AD has many drawbacks such as lack of formal semantics i.e. ontology used for the constructs based on intuition, that vaguely describes processes and no provision for verifiability. Petri Net (PN) has been around for decades and used to model the workflow systems but PNs and its variants are too complex for business process modelers with no prior experience. A logical foundation is desirable to construct a business process with a precision that facilitates in transforming UML AD into a formal mechanism supported by verifiability capabilities for enhanced reasoning. Therefore, in this paper, we will provide a framework that will provide formal definitions for UML AD core terms and constructs used for modeling, and subsequently transform them to formal representation called point graph(PG). This will provide an insight into UML AD and will improve the overall functionality required from a modeling tool. A case study is conducted at King's College Hospital trust' to improve their patient flows of an accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Figures (5)
There are many reviews available in the literature to describe and categorize business process modeling methods and techniques based on the process representation [10] (see Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Categorization of modeling techniques
There are many reviews available in the literature to describe and categorize business process modeling methods and techniques based on the process representation [10] (see Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Categorization of modeling techniques
Fig. 2. UML AD core artifacts
Fig. 2. UML AD core artifacts
Fig. 3.Point Interval Relations
Fig. 3.Point Interval Relations
In UML-AD, the concurrency is graphically represented as fully black-out bar which can be used either horizontally or vertically. In PG, branch(join) folding and unification algorithms are provided to support the concurrent behavior. The application of these algorithms ensures that a consistent model is constructed supported by an inference mechanism.. For example, using any of the aforementioned algorithm will perform an analysis on the PG representing a process with corresponding lengths to make a choice. UML AD’s Fork/Join can be transformed into PG’s branch(join) folding (see Fig.4). Fig. 4.Transformation of UML AD into PG
In UML-AD, the concurrency is graphically represented as fully black-out bar which can be used either horizontally or vertically. In PG, branch(join) folding and unification algorithms are provided to support the concurrent behavior. The application of these algorithms ensures that a consistent model is constructed supported by an inference mechanism.. For example, using any of the aforementioned algorithm will perform an analysis on the PG representing a process with corresponding lengths to make a choice. UML AD’s Fork/Join can be transformed into PG’s branch(join) folding (see Fig.4). Fig. 4.Transformation of UML AD into PG
Fig. 5.Trauma Patient Pathways modeled using PG
Fig. 5.Trauma Patient Pathways modeled using PG

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