USER EVALUATION OF SYMBOLS FOR CORE BUSINESS PROCESS MODELING CONCEPTS

Process modeling notations are visual languages that use symbols to represent their main concepts. This study investigates the quality of such symbols from users’ perspective. The design of a symbol influences whether it is easy to spot in a model and is correctly associated with the concept it represents. In an empirical study with 188 participants, the normative ratings of process model symbols (for the basic concepts of start, end, task, AND, XOR) were gathered on the dimensions of perceptual pop-out, semantic transparency, perceptual discriminability, and aesthetics. Overall, the results are consistent with our predictions based on the theoretical analyses of the designs of the symbols. Prior familiarity with process modeling notations led to more clear-cut evaluations of routing symbols (AND, XOR) and a reduced tendency to prefer middle rating options, but it did not affect the evaluations of the other symbols. Standardization organizations and academic developers of notations can use insights from the study to enhance the usability of process modeling notations

Comprehension of Procedural Visual Business Process Models - A Literature Review

Visual process models are meant to facilitate comprehension of business processes. However, in prac- tice, process models can be difficult to understand. The main goal of this article is to clarify the sources of cog- nitive effort in comprehending process models. The article undertakes a comprehensive descriptive review of empiri- cal and theoretical work in order to categorize and sum- marize systematically existing findings on the factors that influence comprehension of visual process models. Methodologically, the article builds on a review of forty empirical studies that measure objective comprehension of process models, seven studies that measure subjective comprehension and user preferences, and thirty-two arti- cles that discuss the factors that influence the comprehen- sion of process models. The article provides information systems researchers with an overview of the empirical state of the art of process model comprehension and provides recommendations for new research questions to be addressed and methods to be used in future experiments

Bridge strike reduction: the design and evaluation of visual warnings

The aim of this investigation was to consider the problem of road vehicles that strike rail-over-road bridges and how such incidents can be reduced. In particular, it examined the design of both the warning markings placed on bridges and the road signs situated some distance in front of the bridge, each warning of reduced clearances ahead. Initially, a literature review was conducted to reveal the nature of the problem, including the history of bridge strikes, previous attempts to quantify why bridges are hit, the cost of strikes, countermeasures to prevent them and the legal restrictions relevant to the area. It was concluded that no single countermeasure had been found to be effective when the cost and the legal restrictions were taken into account.A field assessment of possible causal factors was performed in order to compare a group of bridges that had been frequently struck, against a group of control bridges. It was found that frequently struck bridges generally were in busier environments (as might be expected), and in more visually complex environments where there were, on average, more advertisements nearby - thus more potential distractions were present at these sites. The research then considered what drivers look at when driving towards low bridges,specifically focusing on the amount of visual attention given to warning signs prior to a low bridge, and on the specific areas drivers look at in the final few seconds before reaching the bridge. It was found that the bridge warning signs and bridge markings performed badly on measures of visual attention. In addition, if an advertisement was placed on the top section of a bridge, this was looked at for a large proportion of the time - thus reducing the proportion of time which the drivers gave to other features of the environment. The development and evaluation of alternative bridge warning signs was then considered. Newly created and existing signs were evaluated on tests of comprehension and hazard perception. The results demonstrated that text-based versions of the warning sign with a yellow border performed best The development and evaluation of markings for low bridges were then examined by evaluating newly created and existing markings. The research focussed on their capacity to make a bridge appear lower than it really was - so influencing drivers' judgement of height when they approach such a bridge. The current low bridge marking standard achieved inferior scores on the experimental measures employed when compared to several of the alternative bridge marking designs that were developed. Finally, the investigation examined driver responses to both the bridge signs and markings. Using a virtual reality road scene, an experiment was performed which assessed if the existing and modified designs of the signs and markings identified earlier had any behavioural effects upon drivers as they approached the 'virtual' bridges. The addition of warning signs before the bridge was found to have no significant influence on subjects' decisions regarding stopping before the bridge. However, the type of markings displayed on the bridge did significantly affect their responses

Eye Tracking Experiments on Process Model Comprehension: Lessons Learned

For documenting business processes, there exists a plethora of process modeling languages. In this context, graphical process models are used to enhance the process comprehensibility of the stakeholders involved. The large number of available modeling languages, however, aggravates process model comprehension and increases the knowledge gap between domain and modeling experts. Upon this, one major challenge is to identify factors fostering the comprehension of process models. This paper discusses the experiences we gathered with the use of eye tracking in experiments on process model comprehension and the lessons learned in this context. The objective of the experiments was to study the comprehension of process models expressed in terms of four different modeling languages (i.e., BPMN, eGantt, EPC, and Petri Net). This paper further provides recommendations along nine identified categories that can foster related experiments on process model comprehension

Training of Crisis Mappers and Map Production from Multi-sensor Data: Vernazza Case Study (Cinque Terre National Park, Italy)

This aim of paper is to presents the development of a multidisciplinary project carried out by the cooperation between Politecnico di Torino and ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action). The goal of the project was the training in geospatial data acquiring and processing for students attending Architecture and Engineering Courses, in order to start up a team of "volunteer mappers". Indeed, the project is aimed to document the environmental and built heritage subject to disaster; the purpose is to improve the capabilities of the actors involved in the activities connected in geospatial data collection, integration and sharing. The proposed area for testing the training activities is the Cinque Terre National Park, registered in the World Heritage List since 1997. The area was affected by flood on the 25th of October 2011. According to other international experiences, the group is expected to be active after emergencies in order to upgrade maps, using data acquired by typical geomatic methods and techniques such as terrestrial and aerial Lidar, close-range and aerial photogrammetry, topographic and GNSS instruments etc.; or by non conventional systems and instruments such us UAV, mobile mapping etc. The ultimate goal is to implement a WebGIS platform to share all the data collected with local authorities and the Civil Protectio