Frank Michael Kraft's Blog

At the BPMN 2011 Practitioner’s Day in Potsdam we had the opportunity to try out tangible BPM modeling or t.BPM. It is a research project of the Hasso-Plattner-Institute. Instead of modeling in half-dark rooms with flickering monitors we went outside into the sun. There we had tables prepared and plastic shapes for BPMN available. The team grouped around the table and we placed the shapes on the table to model. Pens were available to label the shapes and connect them.

I really liked this very much. It was fun. And I think it was quite productive. The focus of all team members was on the model and we were fast in achieving a result. It was good to discuss during modeling. I also liked, that by this all were focused on the model itself, not the tool. Often when modeling we lose time to fiddle with the tool, the routing of lines etcetera. I think I might use it in future BPMN classroom trainings. I expect that it is possible for the participants to focus on the model and the BPMN method; to have a shared collaboration experience. So in my eyes it is ideal for BPMN classroom trainings.