Closer to the Model – Collaborative Modeling with Wall-Size Interactive Displays

Abstract

Process modeling has traditionally been approached with a clear distinction between domain and modeling experts – the former providing knowledge, the latter developing processes and visualizing them in graphical models. However, as we deal with socio-technical processes, which need to be adapted by the process participants, this distinction seems rather unreasonable. It causes frustration among process participants, as they may not directly influence process design and modeling, thus reducing their perceived ownership of the process and their commitment to the implementation of the respective process. To overcome this barrier, we propose the use of wall-size interactive displays, which enable users to directly interact with the displayed artifacts and bring them “closer to the model”. Furthermore, these also allow simultaneous multi-user collaboration on shared artifacts, and thus potentially also increase modeling efficiency. In this paper, we outline a collaborative modeling approach based on the use of wall-size interactive displays, and discuss its benefits and challenges, both for the modeling process itself and the interaction design for tools supporting it.