Chapter 4 Building an Analysis Business Process Model

CRUD Matrix (BPM)

A CRUD matrix (Create, Read, Update, Delete) is a table that shows the links between processes and data, or between processes and resources. When a link exists, it shows whether the process performs a Create, Read, Update, or Delete operation on the data or resource.

When the CRUD matrix shows the links between a process and a data, it is called a Data CRUD matrix.

When the CRUD matrix shows the links between a process and a resource, it is called a Resource CRUD matrix.

What are the different types of matrices?

There are two types of CRUD matrices in the BPM:

A process/data CRUD matrix that is available from the Data CRUD matrix command in the Tools menu. It shows the links between a process and a data, and the type of operation the process performs on the data
A process/resource CRUD matrix that is available from the Resource CRUD matrix command in the Tools menu. It shows the links between a process and a resource using resource flows, and the type of operation the process performs on the resource

Since both matrices share mostly the same features, the term CRUD matrix is used in this manual when specifying is not required.

When to use a CRUD matrix?

You can use a CRUD matrix in the BPM to observe how a process handles data or resources, and what type of action it performs on them. This can help you perform a reality check on the model.

CRUD matrix structure

A CRUD matrix is made up of headers and cells.

The header is displayed along the top and down the left side of the CRUD matrix, and contains the names or codes (depending on the model options you have defined) of the processes and resources (or data) displayed in the CRUD matrix.

For more information about model options, see section Defining name/code format in chapter Managing Models in the General Features Guide .

Processes display in rows and resources or data display in columns.

The cells are the boxes inside the CRUD matrix that contain the CRUD values (Create, Read, Update, Delete). The cell is empty when there is no link between objects,

In a Data CRUD matrix, CRUD values come from the access modes defined in the Data tab of the process flow property sheet.

In a Resource CRUD matrix, CRUD values come from the access modes defined in the resource flow property sheet, which determines its direction.

For more information about CRUD values, see section Modifying CRUD values.

For more information about the access mode of a resource flow, see section Resource Flows (BPM).

For more information about the access mode of a data by a process, see section Selecting data for a process.