A computer-implemented method of representing and manipulating a diagram that includes a representation of a plurality of interconnected business objects on a browser may include steps of displaying at least a portion of the diagram in an active area of the browser, displaying a diagram overview, the diagram overview including a representation of an entirety of the diagram and indicating a currently displayed portion of the diagram that is displayed in the active area. A selection of at least one of the plurality of business objects of the diagram displayed in the active area may be enabled. A selection of one of a plurality of canvas actions may then be enabled, each of the plurality of canvas actions enabling a user to take one of a corresponding plurality of actions on the selected at least one of the plurality of business objects. Contextual information regarding the diagram displayed in the active area may be displayed, as well as hierarchical information regarding the selected one of the business objects. The selected canvas action on the selected business object(s) may then be carried out. At least the active area of the browser may then be refreshed to display a revised portion of the diagram, the revised portion of the diagram incorporating any changes to the diagram as a result of carrying out the selected canvas action on the selected business object(s).