Using reference models for business process improvement: A fuzzy paradigm approach

Abstract

In business practice the enterprise-specific adaptation of reference models for process improvement is characterized by the fact that decision-making premises do not exist in the form of mathematic models or numeric values. Decisions are characterized by consideration and creativity and are usually derived from fuzzy conditions. Although these conditions are not precise, additional and important information for the understanding of concrete business situations is connected with them. Thus, verbal information, as well as vaguely formulated statements, premises, objectives and restrictions are very important for reference model adaptation. The systematic consideration of fuzzy data in reference model adaptation can only succeed, when the models to be adapted themselves allow the consideration of fuzzy data. The fuzzy set theory-based extension of information modeling therefore provides the foundation for the development of a methodology, as well as the prototypical realization of a tool for reference model adaptation with regard to fuzzy data in this article.