1. Initial Situation

Given is a management software for a consignment warehouse (LVS) on the one hand, and an emerging innovative subject-orientated modeling language with called PASS on the other.

 

2. Research Goal/Research Questions

This bachelor thesis aims to shed light on the utility of the latter to find and evaluate improvement potentials regarding the software’s processes. To achieve this, SO/PASS modeling is planned for use in the description and analysis of the software.

Hence, the research goals for this thesis are (1) to discover the extent to which the efficiency and usability of the software could potentially be enhanced for stakeholders in contact with it, (2) to evaluate found potentials with regard to the question whether the expected gains from the improvements would rectify the required estimated implementation effort, and (3) to elaborate on the question in how far PASS is helpful to answer the two former points.

 

3. Planned Method + Planned structure  

To answer the research questions, the current “as-is” state of the warehouse management software will first be examined. This includes textual overviews of its most important processes and their representation as PASS diagrams. The latter form the basis for an analysis aimed at finding potential weaknesses and identifying workflows that could be (partially) improved or automated. If such weaknesses are discovered, new, optimized “to-be” workflows will be designed and modeled using PASS. The identified optimization potentials will then be evaluated to determine whether their implementation is worthwhile. This includes coming up with a strategy to estimate both the required effort and the potential benefits of implementing the improvements. To support this evaluation, the “Is It Worth The Effort” diagram by XKCD will be consulted. Observations made and reflections on working with PASS—regarding challenges as well as benefits—will be documented.

The planned structure looks roughly as follows (Chapter names not yet clear):

1. Introduction & Methdology

Short introduction and explanation of the structure, content and research methodology of the thesis

 

2.  Theoretical Background

A brief explanation of subject-oriented modeling and how it differs from conventional BPM approaches. As well as introduction to the formal terms and technology and concepts used within the the software.

3. As-Is Modeling
   Description of the warehouse management software’s current processes, both textually and with PASS diagrams.
4. Process Analysis, To-Be Modeling & Evaluation
   Analysis of the as-is models to identify improvement/automation opportunities, followed by SO/PASS models for proposed to-be processes, and the assessment of whether identified improvements are worth implementing, using effort-benefit estimation and the XKCD diagram as a decision-making aid.
5. Reflection on PASS
   Commentary on the modeling experience, challenges encountered, and advantages observed.
6. Conclusion
   Summary of the findings and conclusions in relation to the original research goals.