How collaborative technology supports cognitive processes in collaborative process modeling: A capabilities-gains-outcome model

•We establish a model explaining how technology aids collaborative process modeling.•We report on an empirical study of collaborative modeling with student participants.•Technology support enables cognitive gains that elevate model quality and tool satisfaction.•We detail implications for collaboration research and the design of modeling tools.

We examine which capabilities technologies provide to support collaborative process modeling. We develop a model that explains how technology capabilities impact cognitive group processes, and how they lead to improved modeling outcomes and positive technology beliefs. We test this model through a free simulation experiment of collaborative process modelers structured around a set of modeling tasks. With our study, we provide an understanding of the process of collaborative process modeling, and detail implications for research and guidelines for the practical design of collaborative process modeling.