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UsiXML project #080262009-2012
A Methodology for Developing User Interfaces
to Workflow Information SystemsJosefina Guerrero-Garcia, Jean Vanderdonckt
UsiXML Workshop EICS,
Berlin, 20 June 2010
Université Catholique de Louvain
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20122
Business Domain
IT Domain
Workflow
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What is the workflow for?
1. To identify how tasks are structured, who performs them, what their relative order
is, how they are synchronized, how information flows to support the tasks, and how tasks are being tracked.
2. By automating many of the processes unnecessary steps are eliminated, and every member of the team is fully aware of his or her responsibilities.
3. Makes it easier to track employee and machine performance.
4. Determines the right person for the right task at the right time.
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20123
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Why user interfaces to workflow information systems?
UIs are means to execute interactive-work
To reduce the gap between IT development and the organization needs in a co-evolutionary way
The closest the UI is to the workflow design, the more you keep traceability on the IS designed
When defining a workflow, software rarely supports designers in developing the UIs corresponding to this workflow.
Data flow
Workflow design
Workflow management
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20124
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Agenda
1. Context
2. Methodology1. Language
2. Models
3. Method and software
3. Conclusions
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20125
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20126
UsiXML structureMethodology : models
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20127
Methodology : method and software
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Scenario (running example)
Phlebology domain Internet order system for
personalized support stockings
Calculate a 3D model of the customer's legs
Send pictures to the manufacturing department
Three sites: the shop, the servers of the corpus, the production site
Deutsche Post (optional)
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20128
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-20129
Methodology : method and software
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201210
Identification criteria and guidance
Methodology : method and software
Model elicitation tool
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201211
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201212
Task spreadsheet
Methodology : method and software
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201213
Methodology : method and software
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201214
Job editor Job Associated tasksCustomer Handling A Customer identification
Picture taking
Uploading pictures
Choice of model
Entering data and sending
Order management Comparison with catalogue and sending
Encoding in databaseProducer A Preparation of machine
Dyeing of stockings
Producer B Sewing of toehold
Logistic A Packaging
Logistic B Delivery A
Postman A Transport post
Transport
Delivery BCustomer Handling B Notification customer
Fitting of stockings
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201215
User editor User AttributesShop employee A Task experience 4
System experience 4
Motivation 3Bauerfeind production employee A
Task experience 2-5
System experience 2
Motivation 2-4Bauerfeind production employee B
Task experience 2-5
System experience 1
Motivation 1-4Bauerfeind logistics employee
Task experience 1-5
System experience 1-5
Motivation 2-4Bauerfeind driver
A driver for the Bauerfeind company
Task experience 3-5
System experience 1
Motivation 2-4Deutsche post employee A
Task experience 3-5
System experience 2
Motivation 2-5
Shop employee B Task experience 4-5
System experience 2-4
Motivation 4-5
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201216
Methodology : method and software
Modeling workflowPetri Nets Organizational units
Jobs and users
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201217
Modeling tasks
IdealXML plug-in
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201218
Workflow resource patterns
To allocate tasks to resources [Russell, 2005]
Whom? Applying
workflow resource
patterns
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201219
Workflow resource patterns handler
Task Pattern
Picture taking Role based
Uploading pictures Case-handling
Planning Direct allocation
Sewing of toehold Deferred allocation
Packing Direct allocation
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201220
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201221
Methodology : method and software
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201222
Workflow manager
Methodology : method and software
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Agenda
1. Context
2. State of the Art
3. Methodology1. Language
2. Models
3. Method and software
4. Conclusions
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201223
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Conclusions
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201224
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Contributions
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201225
Expanded task model.
Expanded mapping model.
Task life cycle.
Colored concepts.
Stylistics for workflow
concepts.
Agendas.
Workflow user interface patterns.
Identification criteria.
User interface flow.
Methodological steps.
Workflow editor
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201226
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Spare Slides
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201227
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201228
Methodology : models
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-2012
29
Process modelWhat to do?
Methodology : models
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201230
Task model
PreconditionPost-condition
Cooperation. Inclusive choice. Disabling with information passing.
How to do it?
Methodology : models
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-2012
31
Organizational modelWhere to do it? Who will carry out it?
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201232
Mapping model
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Agenda
1. Context
2. State of the Art
3. Methodology1. Language
2. Models
3. Method and software
4. Validation5. Conclusions
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201233
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External validation
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201234
Taxonomy used to classify empirical validation methods
[Zelkowitz, 2008]
Literature search.
Lessons learned.
Field study.
Synthetic.
Case study.
Validation
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Elaborating case studies
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-2012
35
Validation
2 3 40 1Months
Teaching theoryValidating the case study proposedSupervising
Proposing case studyDeveloping case studyPresenting case study
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Case studies
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201236
Title Subject Tasks Org. units
Jobs Relations Patterns
Organization of a Triathlon
It explains all the steps needed to organize a sport event 72 14 28 6 12
Organization of ‘24h vélos de Louvain-la-Neuve ’
It deals with the organization of a cycle race 55 7 18 6 9
Replenishing shelves at Carrefour, Belgium
It manages the way to replenish shelves in a supermarket
25 6 10 3 10
Airport passenger workflow
It illustrates the steps that a passenger need to follow in order to do the check-in at airport
20 4 5 6 6
How to get my driving license
It shows the steps to follow in order to get a driving license type “B” in Belgium
25 3 8 6 4
Requesting a credit to buy car
It details the process to get a credit to buy a car. 16 5 5 3 4
Order personalized compression stockings
It deals with an Internet order system, allowing the ordering of personalized support stockings.
22 4 7 3 5
Tech. Support for Copy Machines
It is about the way that a copy machine gets maintenance
17 3 7 3 3
A collection of 17 different detailed projects was obtained
Validation
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Case studies
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201237
Title Subject Tasks Org. units
Jobs Relations Patterns
Container transport by ships, trains and trucks
It shows how an organization gives the service of transporting container from an A point to a B point
41 3 5 4 13
Manufacture of adhesives
It is about the manner in which an organization deals with a buying order
38 8 14 5 8
Creating a collaborative blog
It deals with the problem of creating a blog for a research group working at same university but in different departments
11 5 4 2 3
Workflow of MDC Group It focuses in the Consulting part about several fields: Logistics and events, Design and development of product, Industrial Processes, Sub hiring of staff, Payroll Management, Recruitment and Selection, Evaluation of Human Talent.
20 4 5 6 6
Buying process in a company
This case study is about the manner in which an organization deals with a buying order
16 5 8 3 9
Credit card request It details the process to get a credit card 36 10 13 6 10
Managing a private hospital
This case study presents how a private clinic is managed 20 5 9 4 3
Organizing conferences This case study analyzes how people organize the program of small conferences by using a review tool
22 3 3 3 7
Installing hardware at Allianz group
This case study presents how an organization deals with the acquisition of hardware
36 5 8 4 8
Validation
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Internal validation Evaluation of the requirements
Model
Language
Method
Software
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201238
Validation
1) Strict separation between the description of the organization and workflow process specification.
Comment: One of the characterizing aspects of this method is the separation of concerns between modeling the organization and modeling the workflow processes within a given organization.
2) Support carrying out group tasks.
Comment: This requirement is partially cover with the task model for representing the individual level, and the workflow model considering group requirements.
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Evaluation of the graphical notation
It offers hints to improve the notation
We use the cognitive dimension framework (14 aspects)
We evaluated FlowiXML aspects (notation, environment,
medium) based on feedbacks of users (students and the
interviewee) and self interpretation
Getting requirements to improve FlowiXML
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201239
Validation
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ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201240
+ - + -Closeness of mappingA notation close to the domain of application . Workflows using the Petri Nets notation have a common understanding in the workflow community. So as the task modeling notation used in HCI communities.
ConsistencyHarmony of parts or features to one another.Task model editor (click to add) has different interaction style compared to the process editor (drag and drop). Thus the designer might be confused.
DiffusenessExpresses the verboseness of a notation. - Using wf patterns demands to keep in mind their descriptions thus limiting users to implement them easily.+ Petri Nets is composed of simple, limited and focused notation.
Evaluation of the graphical notationValidation
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Agenda
1. Context
2. State of the Art3. Methodology
1. Language
2. Models
3. Method and software
4. Validation5. Conclusions
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201241
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Organizational model
The enterprise ontology
The agent-oriented enterprise meta-model
Structure in five
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201242
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Workflow
Notations:
Petri Nets
Statechart Diagrams
Business Process Modeling Notation
UML Activity Diagrams
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201243
Software support:
Microsoft Windows Workflow Foundation
Web Sphere MQ Workflow
Business Process Visual Architect
Workflow patterns:
Control-flow Patterns
Workflow Data Patterns
Workflow Resource Patterns
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Task model
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201244
Notations:
AMBOSS
ANSI/CEA
CTT
Diane +
GOMS
GTA
HTA
TOOD
Software support:
AMBOSS
Dtask
CTTE
TAMOT
GLEAN3
EUTERPE
HTA Win
ETOOD
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User interfaces
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201245
UIDL:
UIML
UsiXML
XICL
XIML
Software support:
UIML.net, VoiceXML renderer, WML renderer, VB2UMIL
SketchiXML, GraphiXML, FlasiXML, IdealXML, InterpiXML
XICL STUDIO
XIML Schema
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Dissemination
ITEA UsiXML project #08026, 2009-201246
Journals
Book chapters
Conference proceedings
Posters
2007 2008 2009 2010
Doctoral Consortium
JUCS
JWE
IGI Global
IGI Global
HCIS
HCIS
DSV-IS
INTERACCION
CADUI
BDDI
ICAS
IWWOST
CLIHC
CLIHC
USIXML
Doctoral Consortium
Conceptual modeling
Method