A demo modelling tool that facilitates semi-automatic demo-to-BPMN transformations

Abstract

Given the increasing emphasis on multi-perspective modelling, the University of Pretoria’s Industrial Engineering Department requires a tool that enables horizontal transformation between DEMO (Design and Engineering Methodology for Organisations) models and other models. This tool needs to be available free-of-charge, up-to-date, and vertically consistent, and should enable horizontal transformation between DEMO models and other models such as the BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) models. Using design science research, this dissertation develops a part of this tool by first identifying and evaluating currently available tools, then discovering how other authors have approached model consistency and transformation, and finally developing a tool in ADOxx that supports the modelling of DEMO’s construction model– more specifically, the organisation construction diagram (OCD) and transaction product table (TPT) and transformations from the OCD to BPMN collaboration diagrams. The new tool, called DMT (Demo Modelling Tool), is demonstrated by modelling two case studies within the tool, and then performing four transformations. It is evaluated by having postgraduate participants model the same case study and rate the tool using pre-established usability criteria.