Qualitative visualization of processes: Attributed graph layout and focusing techniques

Many techniques and algorithms have been proposed for layout and interactions with basic node and link graphs. Here we consider layout and focusing techniques for attributed graphs and show an application of these techniques in a Bellcore system for support of business process design and reengineering called ShowBiz. ShowBiz supports two primary visualization techniques for qualitative analysis of flowgraphs. The first involves the use of parsing to perform graph reduction for encapsulation and focusing. The second is an attributed graph layout technique we have called RB-layout in recognition of its genesis in Rummler-Brache methodology for business process reengineering [7]. The user selects attributes that partition the set of nodes in the graph and the system generates layouts in which the position of the nodes is determined by the value of the attribute in question.