A process is defined as a unit of internal behavior or collection of causally-related units of internal behavior intended to produce a defined set of products and services at a Layer.

A process describes the internal behavior performed by an active structure element that is required to produce a set of products and services. For a consumer the required behavior is not of interest so a process is designated "internal".

The name of a process should preferably be or contain a verb in the simple present tense.

Category: Layer and Behaviour aspect

Examples: Receive request, Register, Pay, Create contract, Sign agreement. See also the specialization per layer.

Typical Relationships:

  • Triggering - process, event, function, interaction
  • Access - passive structure element
  • Assignment - active structure element

Source: Generalization of Business Process, Application Process and Technology Process as defined in the ArchiMate Framework.