Abstract
This contribution describes the results of a laboratory experiment which compares the Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) and Petri net (C/E net) regarding their approaches to represent the control-flow of processes. The outcome of the experiment indicates that from end-user perspective the EPC approach of applying connectors is superior to the token game. However, the non-local semantic of the EPC OR-connector clearly had a negative impact on end-user comprehension. The experiment also illustrates that the perceived ease-of-use and the intention to use the EPC notation is higher than C/E net.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Batra, D., Davis, J.G.: Conceptual Data Modelling in Database Design: Similarities and Differences between Expert and Novice Designers. International Journal of Man- Machine Studies 37(1), 83–101 (1992)
Bock, D.B., Ryan, T.: Accuracy in modeling with extended entity relationship and object oriented data models. Journal of Database Management 4(4), 30–40 (1993)
Bodart, F., et al.: Should optional properties be used in conceptual modelling? A theory and three empirical tests. Information Systems Research 12(4), 384–405 (2001)
Boehm-Davis, D., Fregly, A.: Documentation of Concurrent Programs. Human Factors 27, 423–432 (1985)
Chen, R., Scheer, A.-W.: Modellierung von Prozeßketten mittels Petri-Netz-Theorie. In: Scheer, A.-W. (ed.) Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Wirtschaftsinformatik, Saarbrücken (1994)
Davies, I., Green, P., Rosemann, M.: Exploring Proposed Ontological Issues of ARIS with Four Different Types of Modellers. In: Proc. Proceedings of the Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2004), Hobart (2004)
Davis, R.: Business process modelling with ARIS: a practical guide. Springer, London (2001)
Green, P., Rosemann, M.: Integrated Process Modeling: An Ontological Evaluation. Information Systems 25(2), 73–87 (2000)
Green, P., Rosemann, M.: An Ontological Analysis of Integrated Process Modelling. In: Jarke, M., Oberweis, A. (eds.) CAiSE 1999. LNCS, vol. 1626, pp. 225–240. Springer, Heidelberg (1999)
Green, P., Rosemann, M.: Perceived Ontological Weaknesses of Process Modeling Techniques: Further Evidence. In: Proc. Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2002), Gdansk, Poland, pp. 312–321 (2002)
Jarvenpaa, S.L., Machesky, J.J.: Data Analysis and Learning: An Experimental Study of Data Modeling Tools. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies 31, 367–391 (1989)
Juhn, S.H., Naumann, J.D.: The effectiveness of data representation characteristics on user validation. In: Proc. Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Information Systems, pp. 212–226. Indianapolis, Indiana (1985)
Keller, G., Nüttgens, M., Scheer, A.-W.: Semantische Prozeßmodellierung auf der Grundlage "Ereignisgesteuerter Prozeßketten (EPK). In: Scheer, A.-W. (ed.) Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Wirtschaftsinformatik, Saarbrücken (1992)
Keller, G., Teufel, T.: SAP R/3 Process Oriented Implementation: Iterative Process Prototyping. Addison-Wesley, Reading (1998)
Kim, Y.-G., March, S.T.: Comparing data modeling formalisms. Communications of the ACM 38(6), 103–115 (1995)
Langner, P., Schneider, C., Wehler, J.: Petri Net Based Certification of Event-Driven Process Chains. In: Desel, J., Silva, M. (eds.) ICATPN 1998. LNCS, vol. 1420, p. 286. Springer, Heidelberg (1998)
Moher, T., et al.: Comparing the Comprehensibility of Textual and Graphical Programs: The Case of Petri Nets. In: Proc. Empirical Studies of Programmers: Fifth Workshop, pp. 137–161 (1993)
Moody, D.L.: Comparative Evaluation of Large Data Model Representation Methods: The Analyst.s Perspective. In: Spaccapietra, S., March, S.T., Kambayashi, Y. (eds.) ER 2002. LNCS, vol. 2503, pp. 214–231. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)
Mylopoulos, J.: Information modeling in the time of the revolution. Information Systems 23(3-4), 127–155 (1998)
Oberweis, A., et al.: INCOME/WF A Petri Net Based Approach to Workflow Management. In: Proc. Wirtschaftsinformatik 1997. Internationale Geschäftstätigkeit auf der Basis flexibler Organisationsstrukturen und leistungsfähiger Informationssysteme, pp. 557–580. Physica- Verlag, Heidelberg (1997)
Rodenhagen, J.: Darstellung ereignisgesteuerter Prozeßketten (EPK) mit Hilfe von Petrinetzen. Masterthesis. Universität Hamburg, Hamburg (1997)
Sarshar, K., Dominitzki, P., Loos, P.: Comparing the Control-Flow of EPC and Petri Net from the End-User Perspective - Statistical Results of a Laboratory Experiment. In: Working Papers of the Research Group Information Systems & Management Nr. 25 (www.isym.de), Mainz (2005)
Scheer, A.-W.: Business process engineering: reference models for industrial enterprises. Springer, Berlin (1998)
Scheer, A.-W., Nüttgens, M., Zimmermann, V.: Rahmenkonzept für ein integriertes Geschäftsprozeßmanagement. Wirtschaftsinformatik 37(5), 426–434 (1995)
Siau, K., Rossi, M.: Evaluation of Information Modeling Methods - A Review. In: Proc. Proceedings of the Thirty-First Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), Kohala Coast, Hawaii, USA, pp. 314–322 (1998)
Sinha, A.P., Vessey, I.: An Empirical Investigation of Entity-based and Objectoriented Data Modeling: A Development Life Cycle Approach. In: Proc. International Conference on Information Systems, pp. 229–244. Charlotte, North Carolina (1999)
Swigger, K., Brazile, R.: Experimental Comparisons of Design/Documentation Formats for Expert Systems. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies 31(4), 47–60 (1989)
Swigger, K.M., Brazile, R.P.: An empirical study of the effects of design/ documentation formats on expert system modifiability. In: Proc. Empirical Studies of Programmers: Fourth Workshop, Norwood, NJ, pp. 210–226 (1991)
van der Aalst, W.M.P.: Formalization and verification of event-driven process chains. Information and Software Technology 41(10), 639–650 (1999)
van der Aalst, W.M.P.: Modelling and analysing workflow using a Petri-net based approach. In: Proc. 2nd Workshop on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, Petri nets and related formalisms, Zaragoza, Spain, pp. 31–50 (1994)
van der Aalst, W.M.P., Desel, J., Kindler, E.: On the semantics of EPCs: A vicious circle. In: Proc. EPK 2002 - Geschäftsprozessmanagement mit Ereignisgesteuerten Prozessketten, Proceedings des GI-Workshops und Arbeitskreistreffens, Trier, pp. 71–79 (2002)
Weber, R.: Are Attributes Entities? A Study of Database Designer’s Memory Structures. Information Systems Research 7(2), 137–162 (1996)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Sarshar, K., Loos, P. (2005). Comparing the Control-Flow of EPC and Petri Net from the End-User Perspective. In: van der Aalst, W.M.P., Benatallah, B., Casati, F., Curbera, F. (eds) Business Process Management. BPM 2005. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3649. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11538394_36
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11538394_36
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-28238-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-31929-0
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)