Are We Ready for Synchronous Conceptual Modeling in Augmented Reality? A Usability Study on Causal Maps with HoloLens 2

(1) Background: Participatory modeling requires combining individual views to create a shared conceptual model. While remote collaboration tools have enabled synchronous online modeling, they are limited to desktop settings. Augmented reality (AR) offers a new approach by potentially providing the sense of presence found in physical collaboration, which may better support participants in achieving the sense of presence found in physical locations, thus supporting them in negotiating meaning and building a shared model. (2) Methods: Building on prior works that developed technology, we performed a usability study with pairs of modelers to examine their ability at performing key conceptual modeling tasks (e.g., merging or deleting concepts) in AR. Our study pays particular attention to the time spent on these tasks and distinguishes how long it takes to perform the action (as enabled by the technology) from how long the participants discussed the action (e.g., to jointly decide whether a new concept should be created). (3) Results: Users completed every task and rated the usability from 3.68 (creating an edge) to 4.37 (finding a node) on a scale from 1 (very difficult) to 5 (very easy). (4) Conclusions: Low familiarity with AR and high time per task limits adoption for conceptual modeling.