Restruturing Section 4.2

In line with changes proposed for Section 3 ans for better readability, improvements to the explanations about the difference between individual and collective behavior, and the difference between Process and Function elements, are proposed here:

4.2 Specializations of _the Generic Core _Elements

In the ArchiMate language, internal behavior can be represented as an individual behavior (when performed by an individual active structure element) or as a collective behavior (when performed by a group of internal active structure elements working together). Internal behavior elements can be composed of or aggregate other internal behavior elements, as shown in Figure 5. This means, for instance, that processes can be composed of functions and vice-versa.

The specializations of the generic core elements are summarized in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Specializations of the Generic Core Elements

For individual internal behavior elements, a distinction is made between processes and functions.

A process represents a sequence of behaviors that achieves a specific result.

In an ArchiMate model, the existence of processes is depicted but their implementation details are often hidden. High-level business, application and technology processes can all be expressed with the same process element in the ArchiMate language. It does not, however, list the flow of activities in detail. This is typically done during process modeling, where a process can be expanded using a business process design language; e.g., BPMN [12].

Figure 13: Generic Process Notation

A function represents a collection of behavior based on specific criteria, such as required resources, competencies, or location, and is managed, performed, or implemented as a whole.

Just like processes, a function also describes internal behavior performed by an internal active structure element. However, while a process groups behavior based on a sequence or flow of activities that is needed to realize some result, a function typically groups behavior based on required resources or assignment of responsibility.

Figure 14: Generic Function Notation

The collective nature of a behavior can be modeled either implicitly (several _internal _active structure elements assigned to the same internal behavior via an and junction) or explicitly through the use of a collective internal behavior element, _called _interaction, that is performed by (a collaboration of) multiple _internal _active structure elements.

An interaction represents an unit of _internal _collective behavior that must be performed by two or more internal active structure elements, either assigned directly via an _and _junction or aggregated in a collaboration.

Figure 15: Generic Interaction Notation

A collaboration represents an aggregate of two or more internal active structure elements, working together to perform some _internal _collective behavior.