CMMN evaluation: the modelers’ perceptions of the main notation elements

Abstract

Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN) has been introduced as a graphical modeling language targeting the modeling of human-centric processes. Despite its growing reputation since 2016, when the OMG standant was released, the usage and the adoption potential of CMMN is not yet evaluated. The goal of this paper is to evaluate CMMN language and the contribution of its main notation elements to its future adoption, based on the experience of modelers. A CMMN workshop was conducted, where groups of modelers modeled two different human-centric, real-world processes with CMMN. The effectiveness and efficiency of the language and modelers’ usage experience were evaluated. Their perception of the role of the CMMN notation elements to their future adoption CMMN have been recorded through a survey. A multi-criteria decision making method (Analytic Hierarchy Process–AHP) was utilized for analyzing the answers and generating the results. The evaluation results showed that CMMN language could be adopted for modeling non-structural processes and the study participants showed a positive attitude towards adopting CMMN driven by the fact that they overall perceived it as useful. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to evaluate CMMN language’s usability and prospects of adoption. Moreover, this is the first empirical study that explores the syntax of a process modeling language and its effect on its usage and adoption. Overall, since interest in CMMN is increasing, this work could inspire future researchers and practitioners to further explore the CMMN usage and adoption potential.