On the Semantics of EPCs: A Framework for Resolving the Vicious Circle

: One of the most debatable features of Event driven Process Chains (EPCs) is their non-local semantics. Most non-local semantics for EPCs either have a formal flaw or are given informally only. In fact, it can be shown that there is no formal semantics that precisely captures the informal idea of the non-local semantics of EPCs. In this paper, we formally define a non-local semantics for EPCs in the best way possible. To this end, we use standard techniques from fixed point theory. Actually, there are several choices when defining non-local semantics for EPCs. These choices, however, do not compromise the application of the underlying fixed point theory. The mathematics used in this paper, can be considered as a semantical framework for formally defining non-local semantics for EPCs. This framework can be used for the discussion and, eventually, for settling the discussion on the semantics of EPCs.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: BPM
• Authors: Ekkart Kindler
• Keywords: BPM 2004, Business, Most Non-local Semantics, Non-local Semantics, fixed Point Theory