Collaborative Process Model Research Articles

Gesture-Based Process Modeling Using Multi-Touch Devices

Contemporary business process modeling tools provide menu-based user interfaces for defining and visualizing process models. Such menu-based interactions have been optimized for applications running on desktop computers, but are limited regarding their use on multi-touch devices. At the same time, the widespread use of mobile devices in daily business life as well as their multi-touch capabilities offer promising perspectives for intuitively defining and changing business process models. Additionally, multi-touch tables will foster collaborative business process modeling based on natural as well as intuitive gestures and interactions. This paper presents the results of an experiment that investigated the way users define and change business process models using multi-touch devices. Based on experiment results, a core gesture set is designed enabling the easy definition and change of business process models with multi-touch devices. Finally, a proof-of-concept implementation of this core gesture set is presented. Overall, gesture-based process modeling and multi-touch devices will foster new ways of (collaborative) business process modeling.

A reference architecture for the collaborative planning modelling process in multi-tier supply chain networks: a Zachman-based approach

A prominent and contemporary challenge for supply chain (SC) managers concerns the coordination of the efforts of the nodes of the SC in order to mitigate unpredictable market behaviour and satisfy variable customer demand. A productive response to this challenge is to share pertinent market-related information, on a timely basis, in order to effectively manage the decision-making associated with the SC production and transportation planning processes. This paper analyses the most well-known reference modelling languages and frameworks in the collaborative SC field and proposes a novel reference architecture, based upon the Zachman Framework (ZF), for supporting collaborative planning (CP) in multi-level, SC networks. The architecture is applied to an automotive SC configuration, where, under a collaborative and decentralised approach, improvements in the service levels for each node were observed. The architecture was shown to provide the base discipline for the organisation of the processes required to manage the CP activity.

Research on Social-Technical System for Project Oriented Collaborative Product Design

Collaborative design of project oriented product involves not only the multidisciplinary knowledge synergy technology and cooperative managing technology of multiple design processes, but also the organization that puts the collaborative design into practice. Collaborative design is a complicate social-technology system which reflects product cognition process and the social relations of design teams. Based on the theory of systems engineering, a three dimensional description system of collaborative design is presented in this paper: disciplinary dimension, design process dimension and organization dimension. A spiral model of collaborative design process is proposed to express the reciprocity between disciplinary dimension and design process dimension. Design organization is viewed as the core of the social-technology system of collaborative design. The organization is depicted with class diagram. Researching collaborative design from the view point of socio-technical system, research field of design methodology is extended and it is beneficial to design methodologys guidance for complex product design, which also lays a solid foundation for further study on knowledge management in collaborative design.

Collaborative Modeling for Decision Support in Water Resources: Principles and Best Practices

AbstractCollaborative Modeling for Decision Support integrates collaborative modeling with participatory processes to inform natural resources decisions. Practitioners and advocates claim that the approach will lead to better water management, balancing interests more effectively and reducing the likelihood of costly legal delays. These claims are easy to make, but the benefits will only be realized if the process is conducted effectively. To provide guidance for how to conduct an effective collaborative modeling process, a task committee cosponsored by the Environmental Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers and by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Institute for Water Resources developed a set of Principles and Best Practices for anyone who might convene or conduct collaborative modeling processes. The guidance is intended for both conflict resolution professionals and modelers, and our goal is to integrate these two fields in a way that will improve water resources planning and decision making. Here, the set of eight principles is presented along with a selection of associated best practices, illustrated by two different case examples. The complete document is available at: http://www.computeraideddisputeresolution.us/bestpractices/.

Collaborative Modeling to Evaluate Water Management Scenarios in the Rio Grande Basin

AbstractThis article describes the collaborative modeling process and the resulting water resources planning model developed to evaluate water management scenarios in the transboundary Rio Grande basin. The Rio Grande is a severely water stressed basin that faces numerous management challenges as it crosses numerous jurisdictional boundaries. A collaborative process was undertaken to identify and model water management scenarios to improve water supply for stakeholders, the environment, and international obligations of water delivery from Mexico to the United States. A transparent and open process of data collection, model building, and scenario development was completed by a project steering committee composed of university, nongovernmental, and governmental experts from both countries. The outcome of the process was a planning model described in this article, with data and operations that were agreed on by water planning officials in each country. Water management scenarios were created from stakeholder input and were modeled and evaluated for effectiveness with the planning model.

Integrated Platform for Processing and Traceability of Information within Collaborative Policy Modelling Process in OCOPOMO

In this paper we provide an integrated platform composed of several ICT tools enabling traceability of information between individual steps of collaborative policy modelling process proposed by the OCOPOMO project. This process combines collaborative creation and analysis of narrative scenarios with agent-based simulation models. The policy model for a given domain is created iteratively, by means of cooperation of several stakeholder groups (decision makers, policy analysts, companies, NGOs, the general public). In order to provide modellers and stakeholders with the correct and casespecific information we have designed an integrated architecture supporting processing, sharing and traceability of evidence-based information between simulation models (with rules and agents), conceptual models of the current case and related background data. Thus, users are able to work with this information in a specific policy development process with the appropriate set of tools.

How collaborative technology supports cognitive processes in collaborative process modeling: A capabilities-gains-outcome model

We examine which capabilities technologies provide to support collaborative process modeling. We develop a model that explains how technology capabilities impact cognitive group processes, and how they lead to improved modeling outcomes and positive technology beliefs. We test this model through a free simulation experiment of collaborative process modelers structured around a set of modeling tasks. With our study, we provide an understanding of the process of collaborative process modeling, and detail implications for research and guidelines for the practical design of collaborative process modeling.

An MDA‐based framework for collaborative business process modelling

PurposeThis paper aims to present a new approach for developing a framework based on a model driven architecture (MDA) for the modelling of technology‐independent collaborative processes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper suggests a new collaborative process modelling approach based on an MDA and a metamodelling technique. The research method, based on the design science approach, was started by identifying the characteristics of the collaborative processes, which distinguish them from the classical intraorganizational ones. Then, the generic collaborative business process (CBP) modelling framework is developed based on MDA approach and definition of a set of transformation rules through three layers: business, process, and technical. After that, the core component of the framework was the proposition of a generic CBP metamodel at PIM/MDA level. The specific collaboration participant's business processes (expressed as BPMN model) are generated from the generic CBP model represented as an UML2 Profile activity diagram, which is compliant to CBP metamodel. Finally, as proof‐of‐concept, the architecture of an Eclipse‐based open development platform is developed implementing an e‐Procurement collaborative process.FindingsThe proposed framework for CBP modelling and the generic CBP metamodel contribute towards a more efficient methodology and have consequences for BPM‐related collaboration, facilitating the B2B processes modelling and implementation. In order to demonstrate and evaluate the practical applicability of the framework, the architecture of an Eclipse‐based open development platform is developed implementing a collaborative business application on the basis of an e‐Procurement use case.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to focus future research efforts on the improvement of the semi‐automatic transformation phase from public to private processes which needs human intervention by adding a suitable interfaces at both sides of the B2B interaction. In addition, the problem of semantic heterogeneities regarding the partner's business process elements (business documents, activity/task names) should be tackled by developing an approach that uses ontology.Practical implicationsBusiness processes developers find a B2B technology‐independent solution for implementing and using interorganizational information systems.Originality/valueThe paper provides a framework that enables the CBP modelling and integrates a generic CBP metamodel. Currently, to the best of the authors' knowledge, such a generic metamodel and his instantiation have not so far been developed.

Bringing knowledge into recommender systems

Recommender systems are largely used nowadays to support collaborative tasks. However, it is important to consider each user's knowledge of the system for the recommended subject. In this paper we describe the use of user knowledge to improve the recommender system of the Business Process Cooperative Editor (BPCE), a collaborative business process modeling tool. We use the concept of the Knowledge Vector, developed in a previous work on collaborative navigation, to factor user knowledge into recommendations.We present Knowledge Vectors and how they are applied to the editor. A simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of the editor's new recommender system is presented.

Collaborative Modeling Process for Development of Domain-Specific Discrete Event Simulation Systems

The discrete event systems specification (DEVS) formalism supports the object-oriented (OO) specification of discrete event models in a hierarchical, modular manner. If a system that is to be modeled is domain-specific, the development of models with the use of the DEVS formalism would require domain knowledge about the system as well as to understand DEVS semantics. This paper proposes a collaborative modeling process to compensate for the lack of professional engineers. To compensate, this modeling process utilizes three types of engineers: domain engineer, modeling and simulation (M&S) engineer, and platform engineer. The process consists of four steps: conceptual modeling, model partition, model implementation, and model integration/simulation. The system requirements are used to specify domain models in the conceptual modeling step, and the models are partitioned into two types: discrete event-level model (DEM) and behavioral-level model (BM). The DEM is specified as the DEVS formalism, and the BM is defined as algorithms and equations. Each model is implemented separately, and the implemented models are integrated and simulated flexibly by using a dynamic linking library. The modeling process is then applied to develop a war game simulator. The advantage of this modeling process is that the collaborative work is related to the whole series of steps. This collaboration maximally utilizes the capabilities of the professional engineers by seamlessly separating yet correlating their works.

The application of interoperability requirement specification and verification to collaborative processes in industry

Interoperability is becoming a crucial issue for industry, and a lack of interoperability can be seen as an important barrier to collaborative work, in both public (inter-enterprise) and private (intra-enterprise) collaborative processes. Indeed, interoperability is generally defined as the ability of enterprises to interact within a collaborative process. Prior to any effective collaboration, it is necessary to inform enterprises, which aim to work together, whether or not they would be able to interoperate. Research on interoperability has shown the benefits of measuring and evaluating interoperability, by using several frameworks and maturity models. However, approaches for detecting and anticipating interoperability problems do not seem to exist. Our research proposes to use formal verification techniques to detect different types of interoperability problems. On the one hand, this means being able to define the particular interoperability needs to be considered. On the other hand, it requires these needs to be formalized as a set of unambiguous and, as formally stated as possible, requirements. Moreover, interoperability requirements can have temporal or a-temporal features. To detect interoperability problems in anticipative way, interoperability requirements must be checked by means of a target process model. Three complementary verification techniques are used to verify interoperability requirements in a collaborative process model. The verification technique used depends on the aspect and the level of abstraction of the requirement to be verified. This paper focuses and illustrates the detection of interoperability problems using verification techniques.

협업 프로세스의 독립적 변경 보장 규칙 개발

Traditional business process management systems provide verification tools of process models to deploy and automate the models. However, there are not so many studies on how to maintain systematically collaborative process models such as supply chain processes when companies are willing to change and update the collaborative process models. In this paper, we analyze change patterns of collaborative processes and declare 19 change patterns. In addition, we apply the change patterns to the process interoperability patterns in order to identify the change problems in case of independent process changes of collaborative processes. As a result, we devise an independency checking algorithm of process changes in collaborative processes.

A Cross-Cultural Three-Step Process Model for Assessing Motivational Interviewing Treatment Fidelity in Thailand

The provision of culturally relevant yet evidence-based interventions has become crucial to global HIV prevention and treatment efforts. In Thailand, where treatment for HIV has become widely available, medication adherence and risk behaviors remain an issue for Thai youth living with HIV. Previous research on motivational interviewing (MI) has proven effective in promoting medication adherence and HIV risk reduction in the United States. However, to test the efficacy of MI in the Thai context a feasible method for monitoring treatment fidelity must be implemented. This article describes a collaborative three-step process model for implementing the MI Treatment Integrity (MITI) across cultures while identifying linguistic issues that the English-originated MITI was not designed to detect as part of a larger intervention for Thai youth living with HIV. Step 1 describes the training of the Thai MITI coder, Step 2 describes identifying cultural and linguistic issues unique to the Thai context, and Step 3 describes an MITI booster training and incorporation of the MITI feedback into supervision and team discussion. Throughout the process the research team collaborated to implement the MITI while creating additional ways to evaluate in-session processes that the MITI is not designed to detect. The feasibility of using the MITI as a measure of treatment fidelity for MI delivered in the Thai linguistic and cultural context is discussed.

7. Negotiating Shared Understandings of Our Work Through a Collaborative Curriculum: Exploring the Experience of Creativity in Cross Discipline Visual Arts Projects

In 1994, the National Arts Education Association created a research agenda to address major research issues in the field of visual arts education for the purpose of examining, negotiating, and modifying commonly held beliefs in the field of art education. Research by arts educators has done much to inform visual arts education theory and practice, but largely through studies by individuals with few collaborative efforts. In 1991, Neil Owen Houser proposed a collaborative processing model for arts education, which reflects the experiential or constructivist nature of instruction. In this paper, we present our reflections on our shared work where we explored the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, the role of play in the process of problem solving, and how experiential learning strategies and techniques could be applied to the teaching of various subjects through visually-mediated arts projects.

Using virtual worlds for collaborative business process modeling

PurposeProcess modeling is a complex organizational task that requires many iterations and communication between the business analysts and the domain specialists. The challenge of process modeling is exacerbated, when the process of modeling has to be performed in a cross‐organizational, distributed environment. This paper aims to suggest a three‐dimensional (3D) environment for collaborative process modeling, using virtual world technology.Design/methodology/approachThe paper suggests a new collaborative process modeling approach based on virtual world technology. It describes the design of an innovative prototype collaborative process modeling approach, implemented as a 3D Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) modeling environment in Second Life. We use a case study to evaluate the suggested approach.FindingsBased on a case study application, the paper shows that our approach increases user empowerment and adds significantly to the collaboration and consensual development of process models even when the relevant stakeholders are geographically dispersed.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents design work and a case study. More research is needed to more thoroughly evaluate the presented approach in a variety of real‐life process modeling settings.Practical implicationsThe research outcomes as design artifacts are directly available and applicable by business process management professionals and can be used by business, system and process analysts in real‐world practice.Originality/valueThis research is the first reported attempt to develop a process modeling approach on the basis of virtual world technology. It describes a novel and innovative 3D BPMN modeling environment in Second Life.

Dynamic Performance Analysis for Collaborative Design Model of Machinery Products Based on Invariant Analysis

This paper studied the problem of deadlock performance analysis for collaborative design process model based on extended objective Petri Net (OPN). Firstly, the definition of CSCD extended OPN model based on decision rules has been proposed by analyzing the collectivity requirement for the machinery products collaborative design system to be built. Besides, models for the OPN model of process controlling nets and design unit objective class. Then OPN invariant analysis theory has been adopted to analyze the dynamic performance of deadlock to the part design unit by building its object communication net. The dynamic performance of the whole model could be obtained by analyzing the performance of all the design unit object class.

An information processing perspective on divergence and convergence in collaborative learning

This paper presents a model of collaborative learning that takes an information processing perspective of learning by social interaction. The collaborative information processing model provides a theoretical basis for understanding learning principles associated with social interaction and explains why peer-to-peer discussion is potentially more effective than instructor-student discussion. The model explains information divergence as a key process for collaborative learning and information convergence as a key group process for addressing specific learning outcomes.

Decision-making and controlling for products collaborative design implement process based on fuzzy Petri net

In order to solve the controlling problems with multiple design tasks and uncertain dynamic design process, a model of manufacture collaborative design process based on process control Petri nets is proposed by introducing decision rules information place and decision transmission. Fuzzy Petri net theory is adopted to descript fuzzy logic and knowledge expression appearing in the collaborative design process control. Synchronously, deducing knowledge-base with rules for collaborative design is built up. Two parameters are set: deterministic factor is used to express confidence degree of fuzzy rules while reliability value is used to express the reliability degree of storing proposition in decision information place. In addition, the implementation process for manufacture collaborative design is fuzzily deducted by FPN algorithm. According to the deduction result, the implementation flow of collaborative design process is decided. Finally, the presented approach is tested to be validity by control instance of driving system for chain conveyor in collaborative design process.

Steering Dynamic Collaborations Between Business Processes

Under the background of business globalization nowadays, many organizations are connecting their business processes into complex collaborative business processes to facilitate business collaboration. To adapt to the changing requirements and market opportunities, collaborative business processes have to evolve all the time. Such dynamics brings challenges to the modeling and tracking of collaborative business processes. In addition, these issues can be further complicated by the requirements of privacy protection and information openness in the interorganizational context. Aiming to tackle these problems, this paper proposes a comprehensive framework to model and track dynamic collaborative business processes with our extended relative workflow model. This framework helps each participating organization derive its collaborative business processes and update the processes at run time. A process visibility control mechanism is developed to enforce such derivation and extend organizations' process perception via process visibility transitivity. The whole framework is formalized with matrices and is theoretically proven to be privacy safe. Corresponding algorithms are developed for generating and tracking collaborative business processes. A prototype is also implemented for the proof-of-concept purpose.

A network approach for evaluating and communicating forest change models

Summary 1. Knowledge of forest change is often formalized in state‐and‐transition models (STMs). These models generate forecasts of forest condition that are widely used for forest management planning. Common techniques for evaluating such models are complex, requiring specialized skills not available to non‐modellers. Consequently, model transparency can be limited, hampering collaborative resource modelling that otherwise may increase the chances of management success. 2. We demonstrate evaluation of STMs through network visualization that produces intuitively accessible results, comparable to results of more commonly applied, complex techniques. To evaluate this approach, we statistically test model similarities with empirical data. As examples, we use STMs of forest change, alternately parameterized with information from experts and literature, and compare them to our empirical reference information. 3. Graph theoretical analyses revealed differences in structure and dynamics between alternate STMs. For example, compared to empirical STMs, expert STMs were less complex while literature STMs were more complex. Overall, expert STMs were less similar to empirical STMs than were literature STMs, suggesting information in the expert STMs may deviate more strongly from empirical reference data. 4. We used several techniques that provided complementary information, which produced a comprehensive view of network similarity. We speculate that differences between expert and empirical STMs result from lower complexity of mental models compared to empirical data. While we illustrated our approach using a simple matrix model, it could be adapted for more complex STMs. Improvements of the proposed approach could involve representation of forest change rates with waiting times depicted by multigraphs. 5. Synthesis and applications. Common evaluations of forest change STMs involve complex techniques not easily accessible to non‐modellers. Approaching such models as networks makes their evaluation and statistical testing intuitively accessible to many audiences. Benefits of this approach to modellers include improved communication about models with non‐modellers, while benefits to stakeholders and decision makers include enhanced understanding of models. This may aid a collaborative resource modelling process and should improve the chances of successful resource management plan implementation. While we used an example from boreal forests, our approach could be applied to many other vegetation types globally.