A framework for measuring the alignment between business processes and software systems

The alignment degree existing between a business process and the supporting software systems strongly affect the performance of a business process execution. Methods are needed for messuring the alignment and keeping a business process aligned with a supporting software system even when one of the two evolves. Actually, any modification performed in the business process activities and/or supporting software system, may impact the process activities and/or software system component and, therefore, cause misalignment. This paper proposes a framework including a set of metrics codifying the alignment concept with the aim of measuring it and detecting misalignment if it occurs. The application of the framework is shown through an example. © 2009 Springer-Verlag