Visualising Process Model Hierarchies
Kathrin Figl, Agnes Koschmider, Simone Kriglstein · WU Research · 2013
In this paper we seek to expand our understanding of how to visualize process model hierarchies. While the information systems community has devoted considerable attention to decomposition as a principle to manage complexity of conceptual models, surprisingly little research has explicitly addressed two relevant factors for understandability of model decomposition in a tool– how the model hierarchy is visually represented (visualisation) and how users can interact with the hierarchical structure (interface). Using an expert evaluation approach, the paper, therefore, aims to determine whether some visualisation strategies provide a better fit to model hierarchies than others. Based on an evaluation of an example of a process model hierarchy visualisation, the results of this study indicate that experts would prefer to use a node-link visualisation over nested graphs and treemaps and to navigate in the hierarchy with the help of an overview+detail instead of a focus+context strategy. These insights can be used to develop user-centred modelling tool support. Finally, a broader goal of this study is to stimulate discussion about the relevance of visualisation techniques for understanding model decomposition.