An integrated conceptual model to incorporate information tasks in workflow models

Sandeep Purao*, Wolfgang Maass, Veda C. Storey, Bernard J. Jansen, Madhu Reddy

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

In information-rich environments, participants can, and often must, access and use diverse sources of data to support their decision-making tasks. Modeling such environments is important, but cannot be done without effective conceptual models. A problem in information-rich environments is a disconnect between the control-flow across tasks and the information flow that must accompany these tasks. This can pose a challenge for supporting workflows in such environments. Micro-level concerns such as information seeking, sharing, recording, interpreting and hand-offs are not captured in existing workflow models. Without these information-related tasks, the control flows depicted appear to occur magically. We propose an integrated conceptual modeling technique that allows modeling both, control-flows and information-flows. The technique overloads some constructs while retaining their semantic origins, obviating the need to learn new constructs. We elaborate on the model with authentic examples drawn from ethnographic studies of healthcare practices in intensive care units. The paper demonstrates how: the proposed overloading can model information-related tasks; and help bring together conceptual modeling of control and information-flows in information-rich environments. The technique is evaluated with the help of multiple real-world examples.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConceptual Modeling - 31st International Conference, ER 2012, Proceedings
Pages487-500
Number of pages14
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Event31st International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, ER 2012 - Florence, Italy
Duration: Oct 15 2012Oct 18 2012

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume7532 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Other

Other31st International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, ER 2012
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period10/15/1210/18/12

Keywords

  • conceptual model
  • healthcare
  • information flow
  • information-rich environments
  • micro-behaviors
  • workflow

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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