Collaborative Business Process Modeling On Interactive Tabletops

Recent research has established that successful collaborative modeling requires a more active role of domain experts in the modeling process. Yet, tool support for this endeavor is still lacking. Large touchscreens could serve as a platform for easy-to-use modeling tools that address this problem. However, these devices pose new challenges for interaction design – in particular because of parallel multi-user interaction. In this paper, we present coBPM, a system for collaborative modeling on large touchscreens, and four multi-user interaction techniques that we coherently integrated into it. Using a set of typical modeling tasks, we provide a first evaluation of their effects on working styles, ease of use, teamworkand output quality. We conclude with a summary of our findings on involving nonexpert modelers in actual modeling, and design implications for collaborative modeling tools.