Paper: Augmenting process elicitation with visual priming: An empirical exploration of user behaviour and modelling outcomes

We have just recently published a new journal paper in the Information Systems Journal on our virtual worlds elicitation work in BPM - "Augmenting process elicitation with visual priming: An empirical exploration of user behaviour and modelling outcomes."

QUT Eprints is here, with Journal DOI.  The work was performed by my PhD student Joel Harman along with my collaborators at QUT, Metasonic and University of Vienna.

Well done Joel!


Abstract

Business process models have become an effective way of examining business practices to identify areas for improvement. While common information gathering approaches are generally efficacious, they can be quite time consuming and have the risk of developing inaccuracies when information is forgotten or incorrectly interpreted by analysts. In this study, the potential of a role-playing approach to process elicitation and specification has been examined. This method allows stakeholders to enter a virtual world and role-play actions similarly to how they would in reality. As actions are completed, a model is automatically developed, removing the need for stakeholders to learn and understand a modelling grammar. An empirical investigation comparing both the modelling outputs and participant behaviour of this virtual world role-play elicitor with an S-BPM process modelling tool found that while the modelling approaches of the two groups varied greatly, the virtual world elicitor may not only improve both the number of individual process task steps remembered and the correctness of task ordering, but also provide a reduction in the time required for stakeholders to model a process view.

Paper: Model as you do : engaging an S-BPM vendor on process modelling in 3D virtual worlds

Have recently had a book chapter "Model as you do : engaging an S-BPM vendor on process modelling in 3D virtual worlds," accepted.  The paper was written with Joel Harman, my Honours student from QUT, and Udo Kannengiesser, Nils Meyer and Thomas Rothschaedl from Metasonic GmbH.  It describes the processes Joel and I went through to implement a virtual world process elicitation tool in conjunction with Metasonic in Germany.  The chapter will be published in "In S-BPM in the Wild – Value Creating Practice in the Field," Springer, Berlin Heidelberg.

QUT eprints entry is here, email me on r.brown@qut.edu.au if you want a copy.

Abstract: Accurate process model elicitation continues to be a time consuming task, requiring skill on the part of the interviewer to extract explicit and tacit process information from the interviewee. Many errors occur in this elicitation stage that would be avoided by better activity recall, more consistent specification methods and greater engagement in the elicitation process by interviewees. Metasonic GmbH has developed a process elicitation tool for their process suite. As part of a research engagement with Metasonic, staff from QUT, Australia have developed a 3D virtual world approach to the same problem, viz. eliciting process models from stakeholders in an intuitive manner. This book chapter tells the story of how QUT staff developed a 3D Virtual World tool for process elicitation, took the outcomes of their research project to Metasonic for evaluation, and finally, Metasonic’s response to the initial proof of concept.

Ross

Video: Virtual World S-BPM Elicitator

Video of S-BPM based virtual world modelling tool developed by my Honours student Joel Harman with the financial assistance of Metasonic, AG - http://www.metasonic.de/

The tool allows a stakeholder to use a 3D representation of their work place to provide activity and message information to create an S-BPM model.

This was presented and tested in focus groups at the S-BPM One conference in Eichstaett over Easter.

Well done Joel! Thanks again to Metasonic for the provision of a scholarship for Joel and travel money to Eichstaett.

Ross

Scholarship: (Honours) Virtual Worlds & S-BPM funded by Metasonic

Honours Scholarship available

An Honours Scholarship specific to a project that looks at the use of virtual worlds and related 3D visualisations with Subject-oriented Business Process Management (S-BPM) paradigm is now available, to commence from Jan 2014. The scholarship will provide a living allowance of $13,000.00 per annum. You will get the chance to work with local and international experts and will be exposed to advanced R&D training and development, that can support both an academic or commercial research oriented career path.

Requirements to apply:

1. Completed a Bachelor of IT, Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment, or equivalent, with GPA of at least 5 (on a 7 point scale);

2. High grades of 6 and above in relevant QUT games development units, such as, INB381, INB382, INB383, Interaction Design Units or equivalent from another institution.

Selection Criteria:

1. A genuine interest and aptitude for research;

2. Ability to work as a team and independently;

3. Excellent written and oral communication skills;

4. Sound understanding, as indicated by example projects, of the design and implementation of 3D virtual worlds and related game engine development;

5. Detailed understanding and interest in Interaction Design;

6. Time and project management.

If interested, please email your CV and a statement addressing the selection criteria to Ross Brown (r.brown@qut.edu.au). Applications close on Oct 25^th 2013.

Scholarship: S-BPM Honours/Masters @ QUT funded by Metasonic

For my Colleague Wasana Bandara, reply to her email in this message

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Honours Scholarship available

An Honours Scholarship specific to a project that looks at the Subject-oriented Business Process Management (S-BPM) paradigm is now available, to commence from Jan 2014. The scholarship  will provide a living allowance of $13,000.00 per annum. You will get the chance to work with local and international experts and will be exposed to advanced R&D training and development, that can support both an academic or commercial research oriented career path.

Requirements to apply:

1. Completed a Bachelor of IT or Bachelor of Business with the GPA of at least 5 (in a 7 point scale)

2. Completed INB320 (Business Process Modelling) unit with a final grade of 6 or above OR proven competency of business process modelling

3. Completed INB321 (Business Process Management) unit with a final grade of 6 or above OR proven competency of the fundamentals of Business Process Management

Selection Criteria:

1. A genuine interest and aptitude for research

2. Ability to work as a team and independently

3. Excellent written and oral communication skills

4. Sound understanding of Business process management

5. Detailed understanding and interest in Business process modeling

6. Time and project management.

If interested, please email your CV and a statement addressing the selection criteria to Wasana Bandara (w.bandara@qut.edu.au). Applications close on Oct 25^th 2013.

Masters Scholarship available

A Masters Scholarship specific to a project that looks at the Subject-oriented Business Process Management (S-BPM) paradigm is now available. It will fund 1 year of the Masters program (the full time research component) commencing from Jan 2014. The scholarship will provide a living allowance of $26,000.00 (per annum). You will get the chance to work with local and international experts and will be exposed to advanced R&D training and development, that can support both an academic or commercial research oriented career path.

Requirements to apply:

1. Completed a Bachelor of IT or Bachelor of Business with the GPA of at least 5.5 (in a 7 point scale)

2. Completed INB/N 320 (Business Process Modelling) unit with a final grade of 6 or above OR proven competency of business process modelling

3. Completed INB/N 321 (Business Process Management) unit with a final grade of 6 or above OR proven competency of the fundamentals of Business Process Management

Selection Criteria:

1. A genuine interest and aptitude for research

2. Prior experience in research and some degree of research training

3. Ability to work as a team and independently

4. Excellent written and oral communication skills

5. Sound understanding of Business process management

6. Detailed understanding and interest in Business process modelling

7. Time and project management.

If interested, please email your CV and a statement addressing the selection criteria to Wasana Bandara (w.bandara@qut.edu.au). Applications close on Oct 25^th 2013.