Business process management—the third wave: business process modelling language (bpml) and its pi-calculus foundations

This paper introduces the ideas behind BPML, the business process modelling language published by BPMI. BPML provides a process-centric (as opposed to a datacentric) metalanguage and execution model for business systems. It is underpinned by a strong mathematical foundation, the pi-calculus. The current paper is derived from supplementary appendices to a book which describes a ‘third wave’ approach to business process management Business Process Management: The Third Wave, 2003]. The aim is to model business processes directly in an executable form, so that the mobility and mutability inherent in business behaviour is reflected and supported in the corresponding IT systems, erasing the present IT-business divide.