Automatically generating decision-support chatbots based on DMN models

TL;DR

This paper introduces Demabot, a tool that automatically generates decision-support chatbots from DMN models, simplifying development for non-technical users and reducing errors.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach and tool for automatic chatbot generation based on DMN models, enabling non-technical users to create domain-specific chatbots efficiently.

Findings

Demabot generates correct chatbots with smooth user communication.

The tool reduces development time and potential errors.

Users find Demabot's help and customization features useful.

Abstract

How decisions are being made is of utmost importance within organizations. The explicit representation of business logic facilitates identifying and adopting the criteria needed to make a particular decision and drives initiatives to automate repetitive decisions. The last decade has seen a surge in both the adoption of decision modeling standards such as DMN and the use of software tools such as chatbots, which seek to automate parts of the process by interacting with users to guide them in executing tasks or providing information. However, building a chatbot is not a trivial task, as it requires extensive knowledge of the business domain as well as technical knowledge for implementing the tool. In this paper, we build on these two requirements to propose an approach for the automatic generation of fully functional, ready-to-use decisions-support chatbots based on a DNM decision model. With the aim of reducing chatbots development time and to allowing non-technical users the possibility of developing chatbots specific to their domain, all necessary phases for the generation of the chatbot were implemented in the Demabot tool. The evaluation was conducted with potential developers and end users. The results showed that Demabot generates chatbots that are correct and allow for acceptably smooth communication with the user. Furthermore, Demabots's help and customization options are considered useful and correct, while the tool can also help to reduce development time and potential errors.