Domain-specific visual languages support high-level modeling for a wide range of application domains. However, building tools to support such languages is very challenging. We describe a set of key conceptual requirements for such tools and our approach to addressing these requirements, a set of visual language-based metatools. These support definition of metamodels, visual notations, views, modeling behaviors, design critics, and model transformations and provide a platform to realize target visual modeling tools. Extensions support collaborative work, human-centric tool interaction, and multiplatform deployment. We illustrate application of the metatoolset on tools developed with our approach. We describe tool developer and cognitive evaluations of our platform and our exemplar tools, and summarize key future research directions.

MaramaEML is an integrated support tool for the enterprise modelling language (EML) built using the Eclipse based Marama framework. It provides support for multiple visual notations including: the business process modelling notation (BPMN); the EML tree- based, multi-layer hierarchical service representation; fisheye zooming capabilities; automatic BPEL code generation; and inter-notation mapping.

Current approaches to modelling complex business processes fail to scale to large organizations. Key issues are cobweb and labyrinth problems exhibited by conventional box and line metaphors and large numbers of hidden dependencies introduced by compartment-based modularity. We have been developing a new approach, Enterprise Modelling Language, based on trees, overlays and fish-eye viewers to overcome these shortcomings of existing workflow notations. EML utilizes several visual metaphors to enhance the representation, navigation and management of large organizational hierarchies and process flows. We describe a prototype support tool, MaramaEML, that provides support for multiple visual notations including the business process modelling notation (BPMN), the EML tree-based, multi-layer hierarchical representation, fisheye zooming capabilities, automatic BPEL code generation, and inter-notation mapping. We describe our experiences using EML to model large business processes and initial evaluation results.