The BPMN modeling procedure

Its purpose is,

To analyze a building block (what it is supposed to do)

To synthesize its implementation (how it does this) as the explicit coordination of other building blocks (processes or activities)

It is iterative – we can apply it until we have left only indivisible building blocks (i.e. activities)

Artifacts are constructed recursively

Principles of the modeling procedure

it treats human and automated activities equally
it is primarily for capturing the flow of control, and not for optimization
it is a tool for both the business and the IT
it provides validation by simulation
it provides validation by quick prototyping – real services can be invoked
it is a visual programming approach