title: The impact of working memory and the "process of process modelling" on model quality: Investigating experienced versus inexperienced modellers.
abstract: A process model (PM) represents the graphical depiction of a business process, for instance, the entire process from online ordering a book until the parcel is delivered to the customer. Knowledge about relevant factors for creating PMs of high quality is lacking. The present study investigated the role of cognitive processes as well as modelling processes in creating a PM in experienced and inexperienced modellers. Specifically, two working memory (WM) functions (holding and processing of information and relational integration) and three process of process modelling phases (comprehension, modelling, and reconciliation) were related to PM quality. Our results show that the WM function of relational integration was positively related to PM quality in both modelling groups. The ratio of comprehension phases was negatively related to PM quality in inexperienced modellers and the ratio of reconciliation phases was positively related to PM quality in experienced modellers. Our research reveals central cognitive mechanisms in process modelling and has potential practical implications for the development of modelling software and teaching the craft of process modelling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinggera
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neurauter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sachse
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Marco R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Furtner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.|Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej 1, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weber