A value chain model forms the root of a process hierarchy. A value chain consists of one direct line of steps, no gateways, and no exceptions. The modeler in Oracle BPM Suite allows each step in the chain to depict associated business goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to measure the organization's performance rather than the details of departmental performance.

The value chain model is a very simple one depicting the flow of the most basic business process steps. Each step is a business process in its own right. On the level of the chain, there is no decision making expressed. This resembles a business process expressed in BPMN that has only direct lines and no gateways.

Figure 10: Creation of a new value chain model called "Rental Request-to-Delivery"

The value chain model type allows the structuring of your business processes into a hierarchy with a value chain forming the topmost level.