Linear merging reduction: A workflow diagram simplification method

Abstract

Workflows are visualized in different ways. In most cases real workflows deviates from hand-made models and they can be plotted as a graphical diagram. Displaying Graphical diagrams with large amounts of data is difficult; because we are limited to two-dimensional computer screens or papers. In some cases it is essential to transform workflows to reduced ones, especially with reducing visualization complexity. In this paper, reduction of workflows is investigated in both structure and semantic aspects. This paper also introduces commonplace methods of reducing complexity of workflow visualizations. Finally we present linear merging reduction, as a technique to reduce workflow complexity.