How to learn to model

Abstract

Business process models are used to show a visual representation of a business process. Process models are used to document and redesign business processes. Different stakeholders have to understand and comprehend these models, but it all starts with creating business process models, the process of process modeling. The process of process modeling can be seen as a problem solving task and consists of five phases. The problem understanding, method finding, modeling, reconciliation, and validation phase. In this paper, a qualitative, longitudinal experiment is conducted to investigate how the process of process modeling evolve of inexperienced modelers. With the use of Cheetah Experimental Platform (CEP) and the think aloud method, information about the model strategy can be obtained. The results show that modelers use different strategies when modeling. During the modeling sessions, fewer phases and less modeling time is needed to complete the process models.