Understanding Declare models: strategies, pitfalls, empirical results

• DOI: 10.1007/s10270-014-0435-z
• Publication Date: 2014-09-27T03:49:55Z
• Authors: Cornelia Haisjackl; Irene Barba; Stefan Zugal; Pnina Soffer; Irit Hadar; Manfred Reichert; Jakob Pinggera; Barbara Weber
• Keywords: Understandability; Declarative process models; Modelling and Simulation; Empirical research; Publications; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 006; 02 engineering and technology; Software

Declarative approaches to business process modeling are regarded as well suited for highly volatile environments, they enable a high degree of flexibility. However, problems in understanding and maintaining declarative models often impede their adoption. Likewise, little research has been conducted into the models. This paper takes first step toward addressing this fundamental question reports on an empirical investigation consisting exploratory study follow-up focusing system analysts' sense-making that specified Declare. For purpose, we distributed real-world Declare participating subjects asked them describe illustrated perform series tasks. The results our studies indicate two main strategies reading exist: either considering execution order activities model, or orienting by layout model. In addition, single constraints can be handled most subjects, while combinations pose significant challenges. Moreover, revealed aspects similar both imperative languages at graphical level, having different semantics, cause considerable troubles. not only helps guiding future development tools supporting analysts, but also gives advice design notations points out typical pitfalls teachers educators systems analysts.