Comments on: Business Process Management with JBoss jBPM: A Practical Guide for Business Analysts http://www.shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:02:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: D. SALTER http://www.shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts/comment-page-1#comment-28 D. SALTER Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:21:45 +0000 http://shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts#comment-28 This book is described as A Practical Guide for Business Analysts and is intended for Business Analysts who are not familiar with, or who are new to the JBoss jBPM system. <br /> <br />The book takes an iterative approach to Business Process Management (BPM) and starts by describing why we might need BPM and what its benefits to an organization might be. The first chapter of the book continues to describe some scenarios where BPM is expected to be beneficial to a company (for example "Processes are carried out in disparate teams" and where BPM would not be used (for example where it would impose a disproportionate burden on a small business). Chapter 1 ends by introducing a suggested six-phase project lifecycle, which is described within the remaining chapters in the book. <br /> <br />The first stage of implementing BPM describes how to set up a BPM project and includes details on Project Initiation Documents, scoping the process, process analysis and scoping out the process workflow. Sample activity diagrams and project documentation (e.g. RACI matrices) are provided as examples. <br /> <br />After describing the business process, the book details how to model the process using JBoss jBPM including details of how to install the jBPM engine, the JBoss application Server and the jBPM designer. The jBPM designer is an Eclipse plugin, so some readers of the book may already be familiar with this application. It should be stated however that the target audience for this book is not software developers, but Business Analysts (although there are sections within the book on how to customise jBPM processes using Java code). This section on implementing a process using JBoss jBPM is one of the larger chapters in the book and covers details of jPDL (Process Definition Language). As with the rest of the book, this is described in a clear and easy to understand tutorial approach that should provide the readers with sufficient information to build their own processes after completing the book. <br /> <br />In order to deploy and test the business process on JBoss jBPM, a user interface is required which is the subject of the next chapter in the book. This chapter described how web based user interfaces can be automatically generated from within the process editor and then customised by a business analyst. The web based user interfaces are defined using Java Server Faces (JSF) with the Facelets view technology. The book does not go into great depth about either of these technologies, rather it assumes the Business Analyst will be making minor modifications to these pages. <br /> <br />The sample process within the book is developed and deployed onto a standalone JBoss workstation. Details are provided however on how to deploy the project onto a production server using a production ready database. <br /> <br />Sometimes within a business process it is necessary to invoke custom actions that can be developed using Java code. A brief description is provided showing how to develop a custom action to extract data from a process and insert it into a separate database. This is provided as an overview of how custom actions can be developed, however the focus of the book is on developing and deploying business processes in an iterative manner rather than on in depth analysis of the Java code required to develop custom actions. <br /> <br />Finally the book concludes with details of how process monitoring can be achieved using the SeeWhy business intelligence platform. <br /> <br />This book follows a tutorial style approach describing an iterative procedure for developing BPM applications deployed to the JBoss jBPM engine. The book takes the reader through the whole project lifecycle, from identifying target processes, building prototypes and finally getting project sign-off. The style of the book is easy to read whilst still remaining informative. This book is recommended for Business Analysts using or looking to use the JBoss jBPM suite of tools Rating: 5 / 5 This book is described as A Practical Guide for Business Analysts and is intended for Business Analysts who are not familiar with, or who are new to the JBoss jBPM system.

The book takes an iterative approach to Business Process Management (BPM) and starts by describing why we might need BPM and what its benefits to an organization might be. The first chapter of the book continues to describe some scenarios where BPM is expected to be beneficial to a company (for example “Processes are carried out in disparate teams” and where BPM would not be used (for example where it would impose a disproportionate burden on a small business). Chapter 1 ends by introducing a suggested six-phase project lifecycle, which is described within the remaining chapters in the book.

The first stage of implementing BPM describes how to set up a BPM project and includes details on Project Initiation Documents, scoping the process, process analysis and scoping out the process workflow. Sample activity diagrams and project documentation (e.g. RACI matrices) are provided as examples.

After describing the business process, the book details how to model the process using JBoss jBPM including details of how to install the jBPM engine, the JBoss application Server and the jBPM designer. The jBPM designer is an Eclipse plugin, so some readers of the book may already be familiar with this application. It should be stated however that the target audience for this book is not software developers, but Business Analysts (although there are sections within the book on how to customise jBPM processes using Java code). This section on implementing a process using JBoss jBPM is one of the larger chapters in the book and covers details of jPDL (Process Definition Language). As with the rest of the book, this is described in a clear and easy to understand tutorial approach that should provide the readers with sufficient information to build their own processes after completing the book.

In order to deploy and test the business process on JBoss jBPM, a user interface is required which is the subject of the next chapter in the book. This chapter described how web based user interfaces can be automatically generated from within the process editor and then customised by a business analyst. The web based user interfaces are defined using Java Server Faces (JSF) with the Facelets view technology. The book does not go into great depth about either of these technologies, rather it assumes the Business Analyst will be making minor modifications to these pages.

The sample process within the book is developed and deployed onto a standalone JBoss workstation. Details are provided however on how to deploy the project onto a production server using a production ready database.

Sometimes within a business process it is necessary to invoke custom actions that can be developed using Java code. A brief description is provided showing how to develop a custom action to extract data from a process and insert it into a separate database. This is provided as an overview of how custom actions can be developed, however the focus of the book is on developing and deploying business processes in an iterative manner rather than on in depth analysis of the Java code required to develop custom actions.

Finally the book concludes with details of how process monitoring can be achieved using the SeeWhy business intelligence platform.

This book follows a tutorial style approach describing an iterative procedure for developing BPM applications deployed to the JBoss jBPM engine. The book takes the reader through the whole project lifecycle, from identifying target processes, building prototypes and finally getting project sign-off. The style of the book is easy to read whilst still remaining informative. This book is recommended for Business Analysts using or looking to use the JBoss jBPM suite of tools
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Jesse Driver http://www.shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts/comment-page-1#comment-27 Jesse Driver Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:26:11 +0000 http://shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts#comment-27 This book really helped me understand more about jBPM. However, I tried to implement the example and it only worked partially. After some time with help from folks on the jBPM user forum I was able to login using the accounts from the demo sql scripts, but have not been able to get the tasks forms to come up for that user. <br /> <br />The jbpm console is very different from the book even though the publication date is less than one year back. I've posted alot of questions to the publisher but have received no responses. <br /> <br />I think I will continue to try and get this to work but wish the author would publish some notes to the publisher web site to help people. Rating: 4 / 5 This book really helped me understand more about jBPM. However, I tried to implement the example and it only worked partially. After some time with help from folks on the jBPM user forum I was able to login using the accounts from the demo sql scripts, but have not been able to get the tasks forms to come up for that user.

The jbpm console is very different from the book even though the publication date is less than one year back. I’ve posted alot of questions to the publisher but have received no responses.

I think I will continue to try and get this to work but wish the author would publish some notes to the publisher web site to help people.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: D. Harrison http://www.shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts/comment-page-1#comment-26 D. Harrison Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:24:45 +0000 http://shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts#comment-26 The book provides a very good overview of what business process management is, its benefits and how it can be done with jBPM. This relatively complex subject is helped alot by a clear and to the point writing style. A single case study is worked through the book which also assists the reader in understanding the context behind BPM. Unfortunately this book suffers by trying to be too general and not focusing in on the process management or programming aspects of jBPM. As a result if you are a programmer you will probably feel the code examples given are not deep enough, whilst in contrast those not used to JBoss/Java will probably feel overwhelmed when code samples are given. This is certainly not a bad read, but at the end of it you are left feeling there is a lot more to jBPM than what was briefly touched on... Rating: 3 / 5 The book provides a very good overview of what business process management is, its benefits and how it can be done with jBPM. This relatively complex subject is helped alot by a clear and to the point writing style. A single case study is worked through the book which also assists the reader in understanding the context behind BPM. Unfortunately this book suffers by trying to be too general and not focusing in on the process management or programming aspects of jBPM. As a result if you are a programmer you will probably feel the code examples given are not deep enough, whilst in contrast those not used to JBoss/Java will probably feel overwhelmed when code samples are given. This is certainly not a bad read, but at the end of it you are left feeling there is a lot more to jBPM than what was briefly touched on…
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> By: Will Gilbert http://www.shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts/comment-page-1#comment-25 Will Gilbert Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:36:08 +0000 http://shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts#comment-25 Have been playing with workflow for the past six months but haven't been able to move past the simple three node examples in the jBPM download. Got this book on a Friday and finished it by Sunday, this alone is a testament to how easy it is to read and understand. By Monday evening I had the book's complex workflow example running and was, for the first time, starting to grasp workflow principles in general, and the jBPM framework in particular. By the end of week I was taking this example apart, tweaking it, and making it better. Thanks Matt, I'm finally out of the starting gate. <br /> <br />This book is targeted at project managers and does a great job of laying out requirements gathering and project team assembly. As a software developer, project management is a little out of my area of experience, however I learned a lot about what I could do to create fast prototypes for proof of concept demos. <br /> <br />If you want to learn work flow the fast way, this book is great. And if you're a developer wanting to get your boss interested in workflow, the first chapter is a great overview for non-technical types. <br /> <br />I hope I see here the seeds of a companion volume or a "How to" cookbook targeted for developers. Matt Cumberlidge really knows how to write and he also creates great, real world, examples, which developers can sink their teeth into. Rating: 5 / 5 Have been playing with workflow for the past six months but haven’t been able to move past the simple three node examples in the jBPM download. Got this book on a Friday and finished it by Sunday, this alone is a testament to how easy it is to read and understand. By Monday evening I had the book’s complex workflow example running and was, for the first time, starting to grasp workflow principles in general, and the jBPM framework in particular. By the end of week I was taking this example apart, tweaking it, and making it better. Thanks Matt, I’m finally out of the starting gate.

This book is targeted at project managers and does a great job of laying out requirements gathering and project team assembly. As a software developer, project management is a little out of my area of experience, however I learned a lot about what I could do to create fast prototypes for proof of concept demos.

If you want to learn work flow the fast way, this book is great. And if you’re a developer wanting to get your boss interested in workflow, the first chapter is a great overview for non-technical types.

I hope I see here the seeds of a companion volume or a “How to” cookbook targeted for developers. Matt Cumberlidge really knows how to write and he also creates great, real world, examples, which developers can sink their teeth into.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Victor A http://www.shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts/comment-page-1#comment-24 Victor A Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:42:50 +0000 http://shop4palmer.com/business-process-management-with-jboss-jbpm-a-practical-guide-for-business-analysts#comment-24 This book is a easy-to-read, nice, brief introduction to BPM and BPMS using jBPM tool. Rating: 5 / 5 This book is a easy-to-read, nice, brief introduction to BPM and BPMS using jBPM tool.
Rating: 5 / 5

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