Free tools for business process modeling

Business process modeling is a powerful technique that is used by organizations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide scalability in operations. Yet for those new to the practice, knowing which business process modeling tools to use can be daunting.

In this blog post we will explore some of the more common and useful business process modeling tools. Six Sigma was created in by an American Engineer named Bill Smith and provides various techniques and tools for process improvement.

SIPOC is an acronym that helps stakeholders to identify the key elements of a process at the outset. When completing a SIPOC diagram, each letter of the acronym is typically written at the top of a column in a table format. Stakeholders then list out the key elements in each category. Prior to completing the list, however, the existing business process should be mapped out.

This provides stakeholders with a visualization of how a process works and helps to identify the elements that are the subject of the acronym. UML, short for Unified Modeling Language , diagrams were developed by software engineers but have become one of the most popular business process modeling tools.

UML was created to provide a standardized way to analyze, design, and implement software programs. There are some 14 different types of UML diagrams, several of which are useful as business process modeling tools. These diagrams fall into two larger categories — structural and behavioral diagrams. Structural diagrams analyze the structure of a process while behavioral focus on its actors and various components. The most used behavioral diagram are activity diagrams. They are used to illustrate the flow of different processes.

Other common ones include use case diagrams and interaction overview diagrams. Commonly used structural UML diagrams include class diagrams, object diagrams, and component diagrams.

BPMN is essentially a flow chart method that illustrates all steps of a business process. One of its benefits is its flexibility, allowing stakeholders to create diagrams that serve various purposes. For example, BPMN diagrams can be used to provide stakeholders with a broad overview of a process.

They can also be used to create highly detailed diagrams that provide practical guidance to the stakeholders responsible for performing tasks.

Others are maintained and operated by a community of developers looking to democratize BPM. This article will examine free and open-source BPM software by providing a brief overview of what to expect from each of the currently available options in the space. This is the most complete and up-to-date directory on the web. Free BPM software refers to products that are offered commercially free by the solution provider. These offerings are usually trimmed-down versions of the expert or enterprise editions, offering basic functionality that enables users to generate reports or data visualizations.

Commercially free BPMS tools typically offer less functionality on the whole than their open-source counterparts. Open-source is software with a source code that anyone can inspect, modify or enhance.

These tools are designed to be publicly accessible and are commonly managed and maintained by organizations with a specific mission in mind. The open-source BPM solutions included in this list are surprisingly full-featured, offering an expansive list of capabilities for various users. The open-source tools usually do an excellent job of explaining the requirements for use on the download pages. The objectives of using this software include processing of information, delivery of personalized communications, and effective protection of sensitive information.

It was earlier known as Adobe LiveCycle and acted as a central workstation connecting existing work processes and streamlining media delivery to other teams. It also offers a community connection portal and a social engagement platform. Alfresco Process Services powered by Activiti is an enterprise BPM solution targeted at business people and developers. It is lightweight and incorporates a super fast BPMN 2. At its core is a high-performance open-source business process engine based on Activiti with the flexibility and scalability to handle a wide variety of critical processes.

Alfresco Process Services provides a robust suite of end-user tools and integrates with a range of enterprise systems, including Alfresco Content Services, Box, and Google Drive. Activiti is greatly optimized for dealing with technical and non-technical aspects, namely analysis, modeling, business process compatibility generation, and software creation and support. With an intuitive user interface, modelers can work from the latest improvements in modeling assistances that enable instant results.

Free training is available in the ARIS Community, which includes models for organizational structures, processes, application systems, data, etc. This free version will appeal to universities and vocational schools and BPM beginners, and occasional users. You can set a noteworthy business process management example by adopting any of these best free business process management software tools:.

It enables business users to document, manage, automate and monitor business processes and decisions. Alfresco provides a powerful suite which integrates with a range of enterprise solutions and makes it easy to create, deploy and monitor critical business processes.

Modelio open source bpm modelling solution is best designed for companies deploying IT teams and coding specialists. The software supports html, uml, script language and bpmn for proving high-end solutions to professionals like system architects, developers, executives, analysts and more. Using Modelio, users can configure their own modules to suit their needs while the software adapts to the way you customise it. Users can add model extensions and other additions, to address their business process management requirements.

Camunda BPMN 2. RunaWFE comes with a web interface that can be easily integrated with regional databases. Activiti open source business automation software helps businesses solve enterprise level automation challenges in a distributed, highly-scalable and cost-effective manner. Activiti is the new generation of business automation platform which offers a set of cloud-native blocks, designed to run on distributed infrastructures. Joget is an open-source web-based BPM software used by businesses to develop workflow and business process management applications.

Joget is a rapid application development platform which comes with full-fledged agile development capabilities. Bonita BPM is an open source business process management software which helps businesses create a seamless and personalized user experience in enterprise grade applications. The software helps businesses stay connected to their data and make it accessible across the organisation, to create engaging end-to-end user experiences.

Bonita BPM is best used to manage diverse projects for companies with complex workflows. Adobe LiveCycle is an open source workflow software that helps process and capture data. In addition, it also helps users to manage the information with the help of simplistic forms.

One of its best features is that it can be used to customise communication with the help of its cloud-based services which helps users to access the information remotely, from any device. It also helps users to monitor and safekeep classified information and ensures that only the authorised parties can access the data.

It has an interactive UI which enhances productivity and provides continual assistance in the different processes. The software also provides a number of frameworks, and tools along with free tutorials available in the ARIS Community. Bizagi is a free and single user open source workflow management software which provides assistance in the creation, optimisation and publishing of the workflow architecture. It helps in making users more efficient and keep a track of business processes in an organisation.

Bizagi provides a convenient cloud-based platform integration, via its drag-and-drop tools. Bridging the gap between the business and technology, it provides a platform for process engagement between members. It is cloud-based and can be accessed from all popular devices and browsers. The best think is that it can be used by businesses of all the sizes and requirements. Its state-of-the-art tools make it a convenient modelling solution and also helps in creating ease-to-use forms.

This makes it easy to monitor and communicate with other members seamlessly. Orchestra is an open-source BPM software that helps in the management of long-term processes. As its name suggests, the software helps in orchestrating businesses processes for synchronisation. It enhances efficiency, agility and provides better control over processes. Cubetto is one of the most efficient BPM software application which helps in charting out mind maps, business and project models and flowcharts, to name a few.

The software has an interactive user interface and it also provides templates and formats to employ in modelling. One of its best features is that all the processes can be accessed, monitored and shared with teams seamlessly.

It is open source and is apt for business process-related documentation and the merging of business process with IT. It also lets users assimilate the sketched plans in their documents. Sydle BPM is a comprehensive open source workflow software that assists in the collaboration efficient planning of project or business models. It enables users to edit the processes and work together to create processes with the help of BPMN notation.

Since it is cloud-based, it remains enables users to work for the documentation of different processes with the help of its online portal. Visio is a one-stop BPM solution which simplifies and helps users to convey large or intricate information with the help of visual medium such as charts and diagrams, seamlessly. With the help of diagrams that are data-linked users can communicate important information to the other members in just a few clicks with the help of this business process modelling software.

Lucidchart is an intuitive BPM platform that provides tools to users and organisations for collaborative diagramming of projects and processes. One of its best aspects is that it is cost-effective and centres its features on maintaining quality.

Lucid provides multiple process management solutions that help in making collaborative decisions easier.