Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN), and Decision Model and Notation (DMN) form what is often called the “triple crown” of business modeling notations. BPMN is widely used by business owners and technical users alike to design and implement business processes. CMMN is not as well known or utilized in the world of business process management. Unlike BPMN, CMMN is used to describe unpredictable and evolving situations – describing what is allowed in a process versus how to perform a process. In this article we will discuss what Case Management Model and Notation is, how it works, and how it differs from BPMN.
What is Case Management and Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN)?
Case management is a business process technology. Unlike business process management, case management generally does not use control flow to describe a process. Rather, the “case” contains all the information that is required, giving workers access to the information that they need as well as discretion over how a case evolves.The structure of a case management workflow depends on several factors, like how new data emerges and how much control organizations want case managers to have. More structured case management workflows require less decision-making from knowledge workers. Unstructured workflows do not follow predictable paths, requiring intervention from knowledge workers. These unstructured workflows are where CMMN comes in handy. Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN) is a graphical notation that is used to capture work methods that are unpredictable and do not occur in any specific order. CMMN uses an “event-centered” approach and expands on what can be modeled with. This includes less structured processes and those driven by knowledge workers.
