Integrating a data quality perspective into business process management

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize data quality (DQ) in the context of business process management and to propose a DQ oriented approach for business process modeling. The approach is based on key concepts and metrics from the data quality management domain and supports decision-making in process re-design projects on the basis of process models.Design/methodology/approach: The paper applies a design oriented research approach, in the course of which a modeling method is developed as a design artifact. To do so, method engineering is used as a design technique. The artifact is theoretically founded and incorporates DQ considerations into process re-design. Furthermore, the paper uses a case study to evaluate the suggested approach.Findings: The paper shows that the DQ oriented process modeling approach facilitates and improves managerial decision-making in the context of process re-design. Data quality is considered as a success factor for business processes and is conceptualized using a rule-based approach.Research limitations/implications: The paper presents design research and a case study. More research is needed to triangulate the findings and to allow generalizability of the results.Practical implications: The paper supports decision-makers in enterprises in taking a DQ perspective in business process re-design initiatives.Originality/value: The paper reports on integrating DQ considerations into business process management in general and into process modeling in particular, in order to provide more comprehensive decision-making support in process re-design projects. The paper represents one of the first contributions to literature regarding a contemporary phenomenon of high practical and scientific relevance.