Managing complex project process models with a process architecture framework

• A process architecture framework (PAF) helps to manage processes in complex projects.
• A PAF is a rich process model with a portfolio of views.
• This paper proposes an organizational structure for the portfolio of views.
• It also demonstrates three new views, each well-aligned with particular concerns.
• It also presents several insights to guide the development of new views.

Especially in large, complex projects, various aspects of process (activity network) information reside in separate models and diagrams that can become unsynchronized over time. Prior research has introduced the concept of a process architecture framework (PAF), which provides a solution by tying all the models and diagrams together in a single, rich process model with many views, where each view presents a subset of model information. This paper advances that work by (1) proposing an expandable PAF structure that organizes 27 + new and existing views, (2) suggesting examples of three new views that align well with specific concerns of users, and (3) presenting insights to guide the development of new views. Thus, this paper takes further steps towards the development of a PAF that provides at once both simplicity and completeness for project managers and other users of process models and project management information systems.