Towards measuring and quantifying the comprehensibility of process models: the process model comprehension framework

IF 2.3 4区管理学 Q3 BUSINESS

Information Systems and e-Business Management Pub Date : 2023-09-01 DOI:10.1007/s10257-023-00642-2

Michael Winter, Rüdiger Pryss, Matthias Fink, Manfred Reichert

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract Process models constitute crucial artifacts in modern information systems, and their proper comprehension is of utmost importance in utilizing such systems. Generally, process models are considered from two different perspectives: process modelers and readers. Both perspectives share similarities and differences in the comprehension of process models (e.g., diverse experiences when working with process models). The literature proposed many rules and guidelines to ensure proper comprehension of process models for both perspectives. As a novel contribution in this context, this paper introduces the process model comprehension framework (PMCF), constituting a first approach towards the measurement and quantification of the perspectives of process modelers and readers, as well as the interaction of both regarding the comprehension of process models. Therefore, the PMCF describes an Evaluation theory tree based on the communication theory and the conceptual modeling quality framework and considers a total of 96 quality metrics to quantify process model comprehension. Furthermore, the PMCF was evaluated in a survey with 131 participants and has been implemented and applied successfully in a practical case study including 33 participants. To conclude, the PMCF allows for the identification of pitfalls and provides related information about how to assist process modelers and readers in fostering and enabling a proper comprehension of process models.

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面向过程模型可理解性的度量和量化:过程模型理解框架

摘要过程模型是现代信息系统的重要组成部分，对过程模型的正确理解对于利用现代信息系统至关重要。通常，从两个不同的角度考虑流程模型:流程建模者和读取者。这两种视角在理解过程模型方面既有相似之处，也有不同之处(例如，处理过程模型时的不同经验)。文献提出了许多规则和指导方针，以确保正确理解两种观点的过程模型。作为在此背景下的一项新贡献，本文介绍了过程模型理解框架(PMCF)，它构成了对过程建模者和读者的观点进行测量和量化的第一种方法，以及两者在过程模型理解方面的相互作用。因此，PMCF描述了一个基于沟通理论和概念建模质量框架的评价理论树，并考虑了96个质量指标来量化过程模型的理解程度。此外，PMCF在131名参与者的调查中得到了评估，并在33名参与者的实际案例研究中得到了成功的实施和应用。总而言之，PMCF允许识别缺陷，并提供有关如何帮助流程建模者和读者培养和支持对流程模型的正确理解的相关信息。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Information Systems and e-Business Management Multiple-

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

11.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： Nowadays, in the age of information technology and the internet, the creation and maintenance of business models has to consider the latest developments in information technology to ensure competitiveness and long-term success of the enterprise. The aim of Information Systems Management (ISM) is to integrate information technology into business models and business processes to explore its potential to meet the business goals. Many international journals in the field of information systems (IS) or information management (IM) focus primarily on the quantitative analysis of information systems phenomena, especially through the use of empirical studies. However, research on qualitative analysis, development, and deployment of information systems is not covered sufficiently by the existing international IS journals. Therefore, the journal Information Systems and e-Business Management (ISeB) focuses on the core tasks of Information Systems Management, the conceptual analysis, design, and deployment of information systems, as well as on all e-business related topics. 1. Editorial objective The central aim of the journal ISeB is to publish original, well-written, self-contained contributions that elucidate novel research and innovation in information systems management and e-business which advance the field fundamentally and significantly. Published quarterly, the journal will: - Provide a vibrant forum for both academicians and industry specialists to explore the information systems and e-business management field - Bring innovative research on all aspects of information systems management from analytical, behavioral and technological perspectives - Enable rapid dissemination of latest research and innovation, supported with a double-blind peer review process. 2. Nature of topics The function of information systems management is the use of information technology (IT) to meet the information requirements of a company. Core tasks of ISM are the generation of project ideas (e.g. identification of business opportunities enabled by new information technologies), conceptual analysis, design, and integration of information systems. Submissions to ISeB should have a clear business focus and use appropriate information systems methodologies. They should either be founded on theory or should have proven their value based on prototypes and their beneficial application in the field. The general applicability of the concepts presented is strictly required. Case studies are welcome, if the insights presented allow general applicability. Moreover, empirical studies are welcome if clear research questions with relevance to the field of information systems and e-business management are given and the studies are carried out correctly. ISeB topics focus on (but are not restricted to) the following areas: - Information Modeling: The central task of information systems modeling is the conceptual specification of information systems from the business point of view. Information modeling includes the development or the application of high-level modeling techniques used for conceptual modeling, e.g. event-driven process chain (EPC) for process modeling, entity-relationship model (ERM) for data modeling, and object-oriented methods like the unified modeling language (UML). - Domain-Specific Information Systems: Different industry domains (e.g. manufacturing, retailing, or finance) are characterized by different requirements to information systems that are reflected in different IS architectures for specific domains. The development and maintenance of information systems in an industry domain can be supported by these architectures. Either the development of generalizable domain-specific architectures or the employment of such architectures in practice can be discussed. - E-Business Management (intra-organization al and inter-organizational information systems): Possible sub-topics include the development and deployment of IS for electronic commerce and supply chain management, market places, new business scenarios enabled through new technologies. Based on a business strategy, submissions have to clearly state how the strategy can be operationalized using IS. - Information Systems Development: The development and deployment of large-scale IS (e.g. enterprise resource planning software) requires the use of appropriate software engineering methodologies, procedure models, and project management. Possible research areas are the development of software engineering methodologies, procedure models, and the design of project management methods. Empirical studies on IS development may focus on the application of well-founded methods in practice. - Information Technology Management: The function of information technology management is the provision and operation of the technical infrastructure and the planning of the technical orientation of information systems in an enterprise. An important aspect is the impact of changing information systems on organizational structures and processes – and vice versa. In this context, the use of information technology to realize a business strategy efficiently can be analyzed. - Latest Information Technology Developments: Latest developments in information technology have to be evaluated to explore potentials to generate new business strategies. Current topics and trends to be evaluated for business use are e.g. business intelligence systems, agent technology, and workflow management systems. Officially cited as: Inf Syst E-Bus Manage