What are different business modeling notations?

There are several business modeling notations used to represent and document various aspects of business processes and systems. Here are some of the commonly used business modeling notations:

1. Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN): - is about processing.
BPMN is a widely adopted notation for modeling business processes. It provides a standardized graphical representation of processes using a set of symbols and elements. BPMN diagrams enable the visualization of process flows, activities, events, decisions, gateways, and data objects.

2. Unified Modeling Language (UML):
UML is a general-purpose modeling language used for modeling software systems, including business processes. UML offers various diagrams, such as use case diagrams, activity diagrams, and class diagrams, that can be utilized for business modeling. Use case diagrams capture system functionalities, while activity diagrams depict workflows and business processes.

3. Event-Driven Process Chain (EPC):
EPC is a modeling notation used for business process modeling and analysis. It employs a set of graphical elements to represent events, functions, processes, and connections between them. EPC diagrams depict the flow of events and the associated business processes and functions.

4. Data Flow Diagrams (DFD):
DFD is a notation used to represent the flow of data within a system or process. It illustrates the inputs, outputs, processes, and data stores involved in a system. DFDs are helpful for understanding how data moves through a system and how it is transformed or stored.

5. Decision Model and Notation (DMN): - is about deciding.
DMN is a modeling notation used to represent and model decision logic within business processes. It focuses on capturing and analyzing the rules and decisions that guide business operations. DMN diagrams visualize decision requirements, decision tables, and decision logic.
 

6. ArchiMate:
ArchiMate is an enterprise architecture modeling language that allows the representation of business processes, organizational structures, information systems, and technology infrastructure. ArchiMate diagrams help capture and communicate the relationships and dependencies among different components of an organization.

7. Value Stream Mapping (VSM):
Value Stream Mapping is a visual notation used to analyze and improve business processes. It focuses on identifying waste, inefficiencies, and bottlenecks in the flow of materials, information, and activities. VSM diagrams depict the current state and desired future state of a process, highlighting areas for improvement.

8. IDEF0:
IDEF0 (Integrated Definition for Function Modeling) is a modeling notation used to represent the functions, activities, inputs, outputs, and relationships within a system or process. It provides a hierarchical structure for decomposing complex functions and analyzing system behavior.

9. Business Process Execution Language (BPEL):
BPEL is a notation used for modeling and executing business processes in a service-oriented architecture (SOA). It represents the orchestration of web services and the coordination of activities and messages between services. BPEL diagrams describe the flow of business processes and the interactions between services.
 

10. Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD):
ERD is a notation used for database modeling and design. It represents the entities (objects), attributes, and relationships between entities in a database system. ERD diagrams help visualize the structure and relationships of data within a system.
 

11. User Story Mapping:
User Story Mapping is a technique used in Agile development to represent user requirements and product features. It organizes user stories based on their priority and relationship to user activities or user personas. User story maps provide a holistic view of the product backlog and guide iterative development.
 

12. System Context Diagram:
A System Context Diagram provides a high-level overview of a system and its interactions with external entities. It shows the system as a central entity and illustrates external actors, interfaces, and interactions. System Context Diagrams help stakeholders understand the system's boundaries and external dependencies.

13. State Transition Diagrams:
State Transition Diagrams, also known as Statecharts, are used to model the behavior of a system or object by representing its various states, transitions between states, and events that trigger those transitions. This notation is particularly useful for modeling complex systems with different states and behavior.
 

14. Use Case Diagrams:
Use Case Diagrams are part of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and are used to model the functional requirements and interactions between system users (actors) and the system itself. Use Case Diagrams depict the different use cases (functions) of a system and how they relate to actors and other components.

15. Swimlane Diagrams:
Swimlane Diagrams, also known as Cross-Functional Flowcharts or Deployment Flowcharts, are used to represent the flow of activities within a process or system across different functional units or departments. Swimlanes separate activities based on the responsible roles or individuals, providing a visual representation of process handoffs and responsibilities.
 

16. Organizational Charts:
Organizational Charts represent the hierarchical structure of an organization, including departments, teams, roles, and reporting relationships. They provide an overview of the organization's structure and help visualize the chain of command and communication paths within the organization.

17. Business Capability Maps:
Business Capability Maps depict the capabilities required by an organization to achieve its strategic objectives. They illustrate the high-level functions and abilities that an organization must possess to deliver value to customers or stakeholders. Business Capability Maps help in understanding the key capabilities and their interdependencies within an organization.

18. Value Network Maps:
Value Network Maps illustrate the relationships and interactions between various entities, such as organizations, partners, suppliers, and customers, within a business ecosystem. They show the flow of value, resources, and information between these entities, enabling the analysis of collaboration opportunities and identifying potential dependencies.
 

19. Sequence Diagrams: 

20. Gantt Charts: 

21. Concept Maps: 

22. Mind Maps: 

23. Influence Diagrams: 

24. Business Model Canvas: 

25. Customer Journey Maps: 

26. Value Proposition Canvas: 

27. SWOT Analysis: 

28. Balanced Scorecards: 

29. SIPOC Diagrams: 

30. RACI Matrix: 

31. Fault Tree Analysis: 

32. Risk Matrices: 

33. Stakeholder Analysis: 

34. Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM): 

35. Wireframes and Mockups: 

36. Kanban Boards: 

37. Conceptual Data Models: 

38. Process Flowcharts: 

39. Decision Trees: 

40. Fishbone Diagrams (Ishikawa Diagrams): 

41. CMMN (Case Management Model and Notation): - is about managing.

CMMN is an important notation specifically designed for case management processes and adds to the list of various modeling notations available for representing and analyzing business processes and systems.
These notations provide different perspectives and levels of detail for modeling various aspects of business processes and systems. They enable better communication, understanding, and analysis of business operations, helping organizations improve efficiency, optimize processes, and make informed decisions. The choice of notation depends on the specific modeling needs, domain, and audience for the models.

Here are some additional thought provoking discussions on the topic:

• https://im-pratham.medium.com/bpmn-cmmn-and-dmn-triple-crown-of-process-improvement-standards-6254e9a083f8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3htv1tjmuc