Expert-sided workflow data acquisition by means of an interactive interview system

Abstract

This paper outlines an approach for gathering workflow data via an interactive interview system. By means of this approach, data acquisition for a subsequent task and/or process analysis is conducted by a process expert instead of a process analyst as customary in application of conventional data acquisition methods. Beside other problems concerning existing techniques, this may solve the dilemma of a lacking common basis between expert and analyst in terms of process knowledge and process thinking. A classification method is described which allows a definition of processes acquirable by the system. Furthermore, a procedure for decomposing processes is used to gather workflow data in a systematic way. During system application, feedback by sub-process models directs experts to process thinking while system records impart process knowledge for the analyst. The applicability of this approach is shown by results of a first system evaluation. Advantages and disadvantages in relation to common data acquisition methods are stated. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.