Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? Alexander Nolte and Michael Prilla

R

RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM

Department Information- andTechnologymanagement

Normal users cooperating on process models:Is it possible at all?

Alexander Nolte and Michael Prilla

2

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Process modelsThey are not for “normal” people (non-model experts)

3

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Process modelsThey are complex, are they?

4

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Cooperation on / with models: Potentials• represent actual work practices instead of idealized views• speed up change and innovation • disseminate knowledge embedded in models

Normal users cooperating on modelsIs it possible at all? What we (seem to) know …

Cooperation on / with models: Practice• models are used by very few people in organizations• facilitators / experts are present when models are used

Common belief: Usage of models needs• understanding of process modelling language• knowledge / experiences in process thinking

5

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Cooperation in modeling

Communication, Exchange of perspectives,Negotiation, Consensus

6

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

People can´t do this on their own!?A typical workshop setup

modeler /chauffeur

facilitator

modeling expert

7

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Other concepts at a glance

Scenario Directinteraction

Interaction viaintermediate

Indirect interaction

ModeratedCooperation

Cooperative modeling tools

Modeling workshops Dialogue games

Self-organizedcooperation

Experts model Work sharing,Alternating phases

No approaches yet

8

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

• People have to understand models to use them• Problematic due to their inherent complexity and the

need to use a modeling notation

Problems to be overcome

• Co-located workshops lead to facilitator bottleneck• Modeling becomes infrequent and hard to organize

• Modeling requires using a modeling tool• Difficult for people without training

Research questions:

1. Under which conditions can lay users use process models in cooperation?

2. How can cooperative usage of process models by lay users be supported?

9

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Involving Lay-users into modeling

Scenario Roles included Participants(1) Bug reporting and solving for software development

User (of the software),Developer

3 users of a tool, 3 developers

(2) Book ordering in a library User (of the library),Librarian

2 library users (researchers),2 librarians

• 5 pairs / workshops• Modelling experts as well as non-expert modellers• Facilitator as a guide• Video-Recording, Observer, Post-Workshop interviews

10

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

1. Contribute view on the process individually through an easy to use web-interface

Course of the study

Textual contributions are automatically transferred into elements of the modeling notation.

11

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Course of the study

Direct interaction with the model through touch on an interactive large screen.

2. Sort individual views with respect to the process sequence3. Compare individual views and mark differences with respect

to content and sequence

12

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

ObservationsProcess models as guides in cooperative work

Understanding: Discursive explanation of sequences and structures“Are these elements the same?”

Structuring communication: Using models for storytelling“Once I know for which purpose I need the book [first element] and when I know whether to buy it or not [second element], …”

13

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

ObservationsProcess models as guides in cooperative work

Contextualizing communication: Using process models for orientation “First, you look for the reason [pointing to element] and when you find the reason, you think of an idea for solving the problem [pointing to element]. Then you check and implement the idea [pointing to two elements] (…) ”

14

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

ObservationsProcess modeling as part of articulation during cooperation

References to models as support / part of communication “That happens here!”

Developing a common understanding “Ah, now I understand what you mean [pointing to an element]”

Getting aware of / transferring knowledge from other perspectives“I have to admit that I have not thought about what [you do] to be prepared for my orders”

15

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

ObservationsProcess modeling as part of cooperative model usage

Asking for feedback on manipulations / negotiating process content“What do you think? Correct?” / “To me this only makes sense if (…)”

Role switching and role division: Leading the conversation“Once I know for which purpose I need the book [first element] and when I know whether to buy it or not [second element], …”

16

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

ObservationsLimitations of interaction with models

Sustaining equality (status)“I always want to have this!”

Securing common understanding “I don’t understand this at all” / “What do you mean by that?”

Interaction leading to conflicts

17

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Wrap-Up

• Models guided cooperation, enabling participants to discuss process content

• Models became central parts of cooperation, serving e.g. as means of knowledge transfer

• Participants engaged into modeling activities by e.g. negotiating process content

• Some limitations remain, e.g. participants overpowering each other

18

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Conclusion

People can use models cooperatively

without special training

Requirements for non-expert model interaction– They know the process– The setting supports communication– Modeling semantics is reduced to simple constructs– Tools provide a suitable features– Tools provide suitable means of input

People can work with models

given adequate means to do so

19

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Widening the scope of non-expert modelingCurrent prototypes: Model annotation

Users can easily comment on processes during their everyday work through a web editor.

20

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Widening the scope of non-expert modelingCurrent prototypes: Automatic guidance

The system asks a set of predefined questions and guides the user through the process.

21

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Widening the scope of non-expert modelingCurrent prototypes: Self-directed participatory modeling

Within a workshop the users may decide on which part of the process they want to focus and which activities they want to conduct.

22

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.imtm-iaw.rub.de

Special issue on

Collaborative Usage and Development of Models

in the

International Journal of e-Collaboration

(out in winter 2012 / spring 2013)

Thanks!

23

R

Normal users cooperating on process models: Is it possible at all? – Alexander Nolte, Michael Prilla

Widening the scope of non-expert modelingCurrent prototypes: Meta-Modelling

People can find existing processes or process parts through tags and reuse them within their model.