Low-code solutions for business process dataflows: From modeling to execution

Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN) is a widely adopted standard for modeling business workflows. However, the increasing complexity and integration of data within business processes demand a modeling language capable of clearly expressing both process and data perspectives. While BPMN effectively represents process control flows, it inadequately addresses critical data-related aspects such as data flow, data dependencies, and data transformations. Moreover, communication gaps and differing interpretations of process requirements frequently arise between developers and business analysts, leading to errors and delays in process implementation and execution. To address these limitations, this paper introduces an extension of BPMN, termed the Business Process and Data Modeling Language (BPDML). BPDML is a low-code modeling language specifically designed to capture, model, and execute data-driven business processes. By adopting a low-code approach, BPDML bridges the gap between business analysts and developers, facilitating faster development and delivery of business applications with reduced effort and minimal manual coding. In addition, a specialized modeling tool has been developed to support the creation, validation, and execution of models using BPDML. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluations demonstrate that BPDML significantly enhances the clarity, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of business process modeling and implementation compared to traditional BPMN.