An aspect-oriented tool framework for developing process-sensitive embedded user assistance systems

Process-sensitive embedded user assistance aims to provide the end-user the necessary guidance based on the state of the process that is being followed. Unfortunately, the development of these systems is not trivial and has to meet several challenges. The main difficulties appear to be related to integration of process-sensitive guidance in the application and the crosscutting behavior of help concerns. To address these issues we developed an aspect-oriented tool framework Assistant-Pro that can be used to develop process-sensitive embedded user assistance for multiple applications. The framework provides tools for defining the process model, defining guidance related to process steps, and modularizing and weaving help concerns in the target application for which user guidance needs to be provided. The framework has been developed and validated in the context of Aselsan, a large Turkish defense electronics company. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Designing Process Guidance Systems

Process knowledge is a vital prerequisite for employees to execute organizational processes successfully in the course of their daily work. However, the lack of process knowledge, especially concerning novice users, and the need for support pose a challenge to employers. Inspired by research on spatial knowledge and navigation, we conceptualize three process knowledge types addressing the needs of employees during their process execution. On the basis of these process knowledge types, we derive three theoretically grounded design principles for process guidance systems to support employees’ process execution. We instantiate the design principles and evaluate the resulting artifacts in a laboratory experiment and in a subsequent field study. The results demonstrate the positive effects of process guidance systems on users’ process knowledge and process execution performance. Our study contributes to research and practice by proposing a new conceptualization of process knowledge and a nascent design theory for process guidance systems that builds on theories of spatial knowledge and navigation, as well as decision support research