Using virtual worlds for collaborative business process modeling

Purpose – Process 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/approach – The 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.Findings – Based 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 ...

[1]  Marta Indulska,et al.  The ontological deficiencies of process modeling in practice , 2010, Eur. J. Inf. Syst..

[2]  Mathias Weske,et al.  Tangible Business Process Modeling - Methodology and Experiment Design , 2009, Business Process Management Workshops.

[3]  Marta Indulska,et al.  Business Process Modeling- A Comparative Analysis , 2009, J. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[4]  Barbara Gray,et al.  Recognition and reconciliation of differences in interpretation of misalignments when collaborative technologies are introduced into new product development teams , 2003 .

[5]  Hajo A. Reijers,et al.  Social software for business process modeling , 2010, J. Inf. Technol..

[6]  Rens Scheepers,et al.  Harnessing Intranet Technology for Organisational Knowledge Creation , 2001, Australas. J. Inf. Syst..

[7]  Michael Hammer,et al.  Reengineering Work: Don’t Automate, Obliterate , 1990 .

[8]  J. Ivey Focus groups. , 2011, Pediatric nursing.

[9]  Johann Füller,et al.  Avatar-based innovation: Using virtual worlds for real-world innovation , 2009 .

[10]  John D. Murphy,et al.  Avatars, People, and Virtual Worlds: Foundations for Research in Metaverses , 2009, J. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

[11]  Michael Rosemann,et al.  Potential pitfalls of process modeling: part A , 2006, Bus. Process. Manag. J..

[12]  Rainer Sommer,et al.  Comparison and evaluation of business process modelling and management tools , 2007, Int. J. Serv. Stand..

[13]  S. Kiesler,et al.  Group decision making and communication technology , 1992 .

[14]  Jan Recker,et al.  How Novices Model Business Processes , 2010, BPM.

[15]  Gustav Verhulsdonck,et al.  Issues of designing gestures into online interactions: implications for communicating in virtual environments , 2007, SIGDOC '07.

[16]  Jan Recker,et al.  "Modeling with tools is easier, believe me" - The effects of tool functionality on modeling grammar usage beliefs , 2012, Inf. Syst..

[17]  Paul Dourish,et al.  Situated practices of looking: visual practice in an online world , 2008, CSCW.

[18]  Liz Lee-Kelley,et al.  Locus of control and attitudes to working in virtual teams , 2006 .

[19]  Hans Weigand,et al.  Setting Rules of Play for Collaborative Modeling , 2009, Int. J. e Collab..

[20]  Jan Mendling,et al.  An Exploratory Study of IT-Enabled Collaborative Process Modeling , 2010, Business Process Management Workshops.

[21]  Moe Thandar Wynn,et al.  Business process verification - finally a reality! , 2009, Bus. Process. Manag. J..

[22]  Ross Brown Conceptual modelling in 3D Virtual Worlds for Process Communication , 2010, APCCM.

[23]  Jonathan A. Edelman,et al.  Tangible Business Process Modeling : A New Approach , 2010 .

[24]  Andrew B. Whinston,et al.  An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Information Capabilities Design on Business Process Outsourcing Performance , 2010, MIS Q..

[25]  Dennis F. Galletta,et al.  Cognitive Fit: An Empirical Study of Information Acquisition , 1991, Inf. Syst. Res..

[26]  Geert Poels,et al.  Evaluating quality of conceptual modelling scripts based on user perceptions , 2007, Data Knowl. Eng..

[27]  Jan Recker,et al.  Continued use of process modeling grammars: the impact of individual difference factors , 2010, Eur. J. Inf. Syst..

[28]  Steve Howard,et al.  From Adoption to Use: the process of appropriating a mobile phone , 2003, Australas. J. Inf. Syst..

[29]  Marta Indulska,et al.  A Study of the Evolution of the Representational Capabilities of Process Modeling Grammars , 2006, CAiSE.

[30]  Marta Indulska,et al.  How do practitioners use conceptual modeling in practice? , 2006, Data Knowl. Eng..

[31]  Stijn Hoppenbrouwers,et al.  Interactions, Goals and Rules in a Collaborative Modelling Session , 2009, PoEM.

[32]  Marta Indulska,et al.  Business Process Modeling: Current Issues and Future Challenges , 2009, CAiSE.

[33]  Kevin Biolsi,et al.  Coordination Challenges in a Computer-Supported Meeting Environment , 1994, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[34]  Yan Jin,et al.  Simulation based process design: Modeling and applications , 2012, Adv. Eng. Informatics.

[35]  Nikos I. Karacapilidis,et al.  A knowledge centred framework for collaborative business process modelling , 2006, Bus. Process. Manag. J..

[36]  Peter Rittgen Quality and perceived usefulness of process models , 2010, SAC '10.

[37]  Aybüke Aurum,et al.  Virtual Collaborative Design , 2006 .

[38]  Peter Gyngell,et al.  Process Innovation: Reengineering Work through Information Technology , 1994 .

[39]  Jan C. Recker,et al.  Improving the Traversal of Large Hierarchical Process Repositories , 2009 .

[40]  Olivera Marjanovic,et al.  Learning and teaching in a synchronous collaborative environment , 1999, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[41]  Steve Benford,et al.  Collaborative virtual environments , 2001, CACM.

[42]  Blake Ives,et al.  Marketing strategies in virtual worlds , 2007, DATB.

[43]  D. Morgan Focus groups for qualitative research. , 1988, Hospital guest relations report.

[44]  Peter Rittgen,et al.  Negotiating Models , 2007, CAiSE.

[45]  Theo P. van der Weide,et al.  Information modeling: The process and the required competencies of its participants , 2004, Data Knowl. Eng..

[46]  James D. Palmer,et al.  A multimedia computer supported cooperative work environment for requirements engineering , 1992, [Proceedings] 1992 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.

[47]  Jan Recker,et al.  Opportunities and constraints: the current struggle with BPMN , 2010, Bus. Process. Manag. J..

[48]  Robert P. Bostrom,et al.  Vital Signs for Virtual Teams: An Empirically Developed Trigger Model for Technology Adaptation Interventions , 2010, MIS Q..

[49]  Gavin McArdle,et al.  Virtual reality for collaborative e-learning , 2008, Comput. Educ..

[50]  Mathias Weske,et al.  Tangible Business Process Modeling , 2009 .

[51]  Wendy A. Kellogg,et al.  Games for virtual team building , 2008, DIS '08.

[52]  Yu Li,et al.  3D Representation of Business Process Models , 2008, MobIS.

[53]  Sam Redfern,et al.  Collaborative Virtual Environments to Support Communication and Community in Internet-Based Distance Education , 2002, J. Inf. Technol. Educ..

[54]  Peter Fettke,et al.  Business Process Modeling Notation , 2008, Wirtschaftsinf..