Enhancing business process clarity: enabling the development of more understandable BPMN models through prioritized guidelines

Purpose The complexity of BPMN 2.0.2 has driven the development of several modeling guidelines to support process modelers. However, the large number of guidelines complicates application. This study introduces a method to prioritize guidelines, enabling modelers to focus on the most critical ones, improving model clarity and interpretability. Design/methodology/approach The study applies the analytic hierarchy process to rank BPMN guidelines. Expert judgments from BPMN practitioners were gathered through a structured survey involving pairwise comparisons. Consistency checks ensured reliable prioritization based on a hierarchical decision-making framework. Findings The prioritization revealed that guidelines related to the precise use of BPMN, particularly gateways, are crucial for enhancing model understandability. Statistical analysis confirmed the robustness and generalizability of these findings, emphasizing their applicability across various contexts. Practical implications The proposed framework offers a structured approach for simplifying process modeling, reducing cognitive load and fostering better model design practices. Practitioners can adopt the prioritized guidelines to improve effectiveness and consistency in BPMN-based projects. Originality/value This study provides an evidence-based prioritization of BPMN guidelines. By focusing on the most impactful guidelines, it bridges the gap between theoretical recommendations and practical applications, offering valuable insights for both BPMN practitioners and researchers.