Sketching Process Models by Mining Participant Stories

Abstract

Producing initial process models currently requires gathering knowledge from multiple process participants and using modeling tools to produce a visual representation. With traditional tools this can require significant effort and thus delay the feedback cycle where the initial model is validated and refined based on participants’ feedback. In this paper we propose a novel approach for process model sketching by applying existing process mining techniques to a sample process log obtained directly from the process participants. To that end, we specify a simple natural language-like domain-specific language to represent process traces or fragments of process traces. We also illustrate the architecture of a live modeling tool, the Sketch Miner, implementing the proposed approach. The tool produces a draft visual representation of the control flow which is updated in real-time as the traces are written down. The draft model generated by the tool can later be refined and completed by the business analysts using traditional tools.