A UML model-driven business process development methodology for a Virtual Enterprise using SOA & ESB

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a Virtual Enterprise Integration (VEI) project using Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) can be effectively conducted by a virtual team of service brokers. Currently, VEI is accomplished through SOA and ESB using web services and business process engines that execute WSDL and WS-BPEL. To reengineer a Virtual Enterprise (VE) based on one or more legacy components, referred to as a legacy VE, the abstract and concrete parts of the relevant business processes of the VE need to be reverse engineered to a high level of abstraction. To develop new business processes, business process requirements need to be forward engineered into business processes in BPEL. However, service brokers need guidelines for comprehending the operations of the legacy VEs or for understanding the business process requirement. In order to provide clear communication of this information, we propose a UML model driven Business Process Development Methodology (BPDM) called mBPDM. We demonstrate its applicability and capabilities by applying it to two case studies: a loan application process system which involves reverse engineering and Washington State Patrol's Drug Recognition Evaluation system which involves forward engineering. Based upon the results of reverse and forward engineering of two virtual enterprise cases, the guidelines, which use UML as a blueprint with multi-architectural views, help service brokers understand the underlying process architecture and organization of a virtual enterprise that has been built using the SOA concept and the contemporary ESB.