Process Prototyping - A Methodology for Participatory Business Process Design

Empirical studies performed at the Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, have shown deficiencies in traditional methods for business process design as well as ways to eliminate these deviciencies, mainly by increasing user involvement. The studies have demonstrated how a combination of traditional methods can bring this about with methods like participatory observation supported by technology like process modeling tools and video. Furthermore the findings have lead to a methodological mix that represents a concept for Process Prototyping. Process Prototyping can help to solve widespread problems of process desings, such as lack of process quality and lack of acceptance of change. The paper presents results of empirical studies and the concept of Process Prototyping.