Animation as a dynamic visualization technique for improving process model comprehension

2021 | Information & Management | Citations: 2

Authors: Aysolmaz, Banu; Reijers, Hajo A.

Abstract: Process models are widely used for various system analysis and design activities ... Expand

Abstract: Process models are widely used for various system analysis and design activities, but it is challenging for stakeholders to understand these complex artifacts. In this work, we focus on the use of dynamic visualization techniques, in particular animation, to help reduce users’ cognitive load when making sense of process models. We built on the principles of the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, cognitive load theory, and cognitive dimensions framework to develop an adaptive animation solution. Our experiments suggested that process model comprehension improves when users of process models are provided with animation features; the effect is moderated by process modeling expertise according to a U-shape. Our study contributes to the field of conceptual modeling by making a strong case for the use of animation to support complex problem-solving tasks. Moreover, our animation solution offers ample opportunities for being integrated into industrial modeling tools. Collapse

Topics: problem solving perceived usefulness online learning system PHP website

Methods: business process modeling experiment conceptual modelling descriptive statistic chi squared test

Theories: cognitive load theory cognitive theory of multimedia learning cognitive fit theory

Closing spatial und motivational gaps: Virtual Reality in Business Process Improvement

2021 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Poehler, Ludger; Teuteberg, Frank

Abstract: In times of growing digitization and globalization, Business Process Improvemen ... Expand

Abstract: In times of growing digitization and globalization, Business Process Improvement is becoming increasingly important. Prior to improving processes, weak points in existing business processes must be identified. However, such improvement and change processes are often hindered by a weak participation due to lacking motivation among employees. At the same time, conventional process modelling languages do not allow for including the environment in finding weak points. To address these barriers, we compared the use of Virtual Reality to a conventional 2D-paper presentation. For this purpose, we carried out an experiment, in which weak points of a picking process should be identified. We examined and compared the number of identified weak points and the user perceptions in both environments. It turned out that Virtual Reality applications are an effective and motivationincreasing alternative to conventional instruments for use in Business Process Improvement. Collapse

Topics: virtual reality business process management usability virtual world perceived usefulness

Methods: modeling language business process model and notation experiment business process modeling survey

Theories: cognitive load theory

Using Eye Tracking to Expose Cognitive Processes in Understanding Conceptual Models

2019 | Management Information Systems Quarterly | Citations: 17

Authors: Bera, Palash; Soffer, Pnina; Parsons, Jeffrey

Abstract: Conceptual models are used to communicate information about a domain during the ... Expand

Abstract: Conceptual models are used to communicate information about a domain during the development of information systems. In two experimental studies using business process models, we demonstrate how eye tracking can contribute to understanding the cognitive processes by which readers use conceptual modeling scripts to perform problem solving tasks. In the first study, we compare scripts generated using two process modeling grammars and demonstrate how attention paid to specific parts of scripts generated using grammar variations, and differences in visual association between parts of a diagram, account for task performance. In the second study, we use a combination of eye tracking and verbal protocol analysis to examine how visual association between parts of conceptual modeling scripts can indicate cognitive integration while performing problem solving tasks. The studies show that task performance can be explained with different mental processes, reflected in specific eye tracking behavior, where scripts developed following different rules invoke different cognitive processes. We show that attention can be measured by eye tracking and can explain task performance. In addition, we show that visual association (which is observable) between parts of a modeling script involves cognitive integration (which is not observable). This finding can be used to improve conceptual modeling grammars in several ways, including understanding the effects of alternative visual arrangements of models on how effectively they communicate domain knowledge for particular tasks, and guiding the design of visual modeling notations. Collapse

Topics: task productivity problem solving decision making business process management

Methods: oculometry conceptual modelling modeling language business process model and notation protocol analysis

Theories: cognitive fit theory cognitive theory cognitive load theory

An Empirical Review of the Connection Between Model Viewer Characteristics and the Comprehension of Conceptual Process Models

2019 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 8

Authors: Mendling, Jan; Recker, Jan; Reijers, Hajo A.; Leopold, Henrik

Abstract: Understanding conceptual models of business domains is a key skill for practitio ... Expand

Abstract: Understanding conceptual models of business domains is a key skill for practitioners tasked with systems analysis and design. Research in this field predominantly uses experiments with specific user proxy cohorts to examine factors that explain how well different types of conceptual models can be comprehended by model viewers. However, the results from these studies are difficult to compare. One key difficulty rests in the unsystematic and fluctuating consideration of model viewer characteristics (MVCs) to date. In this paper, we review MVCs used in prominent prior studies on conceptual model comprehension. We then design an empirical review of the influence of MVCS through a global, cross-sectional experimental study in which over 500 student and practitioner users were asked to answer comprehension questions about a prominent type of conceptual model - BPMN process models. As an experimental treatment, we used good versus bad layout in order to increase the variance of performance. Our results show MVC to be a multi-dimensional construct. Moreover, process model comprehension is related in different ways to different traits of the MVC construct. Based on these findings, we offer guidance for experimental designs in this area of research and provide implications for the study of MVCs. Collapse

Topics: website problem solving internet technology electronic mail task productivity

Methods: experiment business process modeling business process model and notation modeling language conceptual modelling

Comprehension of Procedural Visual Business Process Models: A Literature Review

2017 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 14

Authors: Figl, Kathrin

Abstract: Visual process models are meant to facilitate comprehension of business processe ... Expand

Abstract: Visual process models are meant to facilitate comprehension of business processes. However, in practice, process models can be difficult to understand. The main goal of this article is to clarify the sources of cognitive effort in comprehending process models. The article undertakes a comprehensive descriptive review of empirical and theoretical work in order to categorize and summarize systematically existing findings on the factors that influence comprehension of visual process models. Methodologically, the article builds on a review of forty empirical studies that measure objective comprehension of process models, seven studies that measure subjective comprehension and user preferences, and thirty-two articles that discuss the factors that influence the comprehension of process models. The article provides information systems researchers with an overview of the empirical state of the art of process model comprehension and provides recommendations for new research questions to be addressed and methods to be used in future experiments. Collapse

Topics: database system website resource allocation usability spreadsheet

Methods: business process modeling literature sample experiment literature study design science

Theories: semiotic theory

Analyzing control flow information to improve the effectiveness of process model matching techniques

2017 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 1

Authors: Klinkmüller, Christopher; Weber, Ingo

Abstract: Process model matchers automatically identify activities that represent similar ... Expand

Abstract: Process model matchers automatically identify activities that represent similar functionality in different process models. As such, they support various tasks in business process management including model collection management and process design. Yet, comparative evaluations revealed that state-of-the-art matchers fall short of offering high performance across varied datasets. To facilitate the development of more effective matchers, we systematically study, if and how the analysis of control flow information in process models can contribute to the matching process. In particular, we empirically examine the validity of analysis options and use our findings to automate the adaptation of matcher configurations to model collections. Collapse

Topics: user requirement laptop computer Java electronic mail source code

Methods: business process modeling machine learning literature study descriptive statistic modeling language

Process innovation as creative problem solving: An experimental study of textual descriptions and diagrams

2016 | Information & Management | Citations: 20

Authors: Figl, Kathrin; Recker, Jan

Abstract: The use of process models to support business analysts’ idea-generation tasks ha ... Expand

Abstract: The use of process models to support business analysts’ idea-generation tasks has been a long-standing topic of interest in process improvement. We examine how two types of representations of organizational processes – textual and diagrammatic – assist analysts in developing innovative solutions to process-redesign tasks. The results of our study clarify the types of process-redesign ideas generated by analysts who work with text versus those who work with models. We find that the volume and originality of process-redesign ideas do not differ significantly but that appropriateness of ideas varies. We discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice in process improvement. Collapse

Topics: business process redesign business process management problem solving innovation management business process innovation

Methods: business process modeling experiment longitudinal research experimental group descriptive statistic

Theories: creativity theory representation theory

A recommendation system for predicting risks across multiple business process instances

2015 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 4

Authors: Conforti, Raffaele; de Leoni, Massimiliano; La Rosa, Marcello; van der Aalst, Wil M. P.; ter Hofstede, Arthur H. M.

Abstract: This paper proposes a recommendation system that supports process participants i ... Expand

Abstract: This paper proposes a recommendation system that supports process participants in taking risk-informed decisions, with the goal of reducing risks that may arise during process execution. Risk reduction involves decreasing the likelihood and severity of a process fault from occurring. Given a business process exposed to risks, e.g. a financial process exposed to a risk of reputation loss, we enact this process and whenever a process participant needs to provide input to the process, e.g. by selecting the next task to execute or by filling out a form, we suggest to the participant the action to perform which minimizes the predicted process risk. Risks are predicted by traversing decision trees generated from the logs of past process executions, which consider process data, involved resources, task durations and other information elements like task frequencies. When applied in the context of multiple process instances running concurrently, a second technique is employed that uses integer linear programming to compute the optimal assignment of resources to tasks to be performed, in order to deal with the interplay between risks relative to different instances. The recommendation system has been implemented as a set of components on top of the YAWL BPM system and its effectiveness has been evaluated using a real-life scenario, in collaboration with risk analysts of a large insurance company. The results, based on a simulation of the real-life scenario and its comparison with the event data provided by the company, show that the process instances executed concurrently complete with significantly fewer faults and with lower fault severities, when the recommendations provided by our recommendation system are taken into account. Collapse

Topics: recommender system business process management business process management system decision support resource allocation

Methods: experiment computational algorithm decision tree classification event log simulation

Analysis of process model reuse: Where are we now, where should we go from here?

2014 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 2

Authors: Koschmider, Agnes; Fellmann, Michael; Schoknecht, Andreas; Oberweis, Andreas

Abstract: Business process model reuse means building up new business process models by as ... Expand

Abstract: Business process model reuse means building up new business process models by assembling already designed ones. Significant effort has been made by researchers so far to promote reuse (e.g. via reference models or workflow patterns) and plenty of benefits are assumed (e.g., time and error reduction, quality improvement and productivity gain (Fellmann, 2014)). Contrary to this, the observation is that business process model reuse does not seem to be a common technique in order to design a business process model. To provide reasons for the lack of enthusiasm for business process model reuse, this paper presents the results of a profound analysis of business process model reuse from different perspectives: First, the state of research is unveiled in a comprehensive structured literature review of 143 papers. Second, the engagement of tool vendors to promote reuse is identified in an analysis of 32 Business Process Management systems (BPMS). Third, users' opinions concerning business process model reuse is assessed in two surveys. The integration of the results provides a holistic view on the current state of business process model reuse as well as on future research directions and implications for researchers, practitioners and tool vendors. Collapse

Topics: business process management system business process management database system knowledge representation system support

Methods: business process modeling survey literature study reference modelling descriptive statistic

A study on the effects of routing symbol design on process model comprehension

2013 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 24

Authors: Figl, Kathrin; Recker, Jan; Mendling, Jan

Abstract: Process modeling grammars are used to create models of business processes. In th ... Expand

Abstract: Process modeling grammars are used to create models of business processes. In this paper, we discuss how different routing symbol designs affect an individual's ability to comprehend process models. We conduct an experiment with 154 students to ascertain which visual design principles influence process model comprehension. Our findings suggest that design principles related to perceptual discriminability and pop out improve comprehension accuracy. Furthermore, semantic transparency and aesthetic design of symbols lower the perceived difficulty of comprehension. Our results inform important principles about notational design of process modeling grammars and the effective use of process modeling in practice. Collapse

Topics: systems development problem solving task productivity electronic mail

Methods: business process modeling survey design science experiment regression analysis method

Theories: cognitive load theory motivation theory