Articulation of work process models for organizational alignment and informed information system design

• We propose a method and toolset for the articulation of knowledge about work.
• The method relies on physical conceptual modeling and targets nonexpert modelers.
• Identification and resolution of conflicting viewpoints is a core part of the method.
• The toolset allows the capture and simulation of models for checking their appropriateness.
• A case study confirms the applicability of the method and tools in practical settings.

Articulating and representing procedural aspects of work in conceptual models is a prerequisite for informed information system (IS) design. Instruments supporting articulation need to establish common ground about the interaction of the collaborating actors. This article proposes a methodology for the articulation of work processes by inexperienced modelers. It consists of phases of articulation and consolidation of case-based models and interactive elaboration toward comprehensive representation of the process via virtual enactment. The resulting models can be directly interpreted by IS. A case study confirms that the methodology meets the identified requirements and identifies areas of improvement.