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2014 | Buch

Information System Development

Improving Enterprise Communication

herausgegeben von: María José Escalona, Gustavo Aragón, Henry Linger, Michael Lang, Chris Barry, Christoph Schneider

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

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Über dieses Buch

Information System Development—Improving Enterprise Communication are the collected proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Information Systems Development: Improving Enterprise Communication—ISD 2013 Conference, held in Seville, Spain. It follows in the tradition of previous conferences in the series in exploring the connections between industry, research and education.

These proceedings represent ongoing reflections within the academic community on established information systems topics and emerging concepts, approaches and ideas. It is hoped that the papers herein contribute towards disseminating research and improving practice.

The conference tracks highlighted at the 22nd International Conference on Information Systems Development (ISD 2013) were:

ApplicationsData and OntologiesEnd UsersEnterprise EvolutionIndustrial cases in ISDIntelligent Business Process ManagementModel Driven Engineering in ISDNew TechnologiesProcess ManagementQuality

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Measuring Business-IT Alignment, Framework Development and Case Study Results

Information technology has come to play a crucial role in the support, sustainability and growth of organisations. In order to accomplish good value for the organisation, IT projects need to be in connection with the business side of the organisation. The process of managing and improving this connection is Business-IT alignment. Organisations that have successfully aligned their business and IT outperform organisations that do not, for example by maximising the return on IT investments and an improved competitive position. However, selecting and prioritizing IT projects present a challenge to IT managers. For a number of years already, Business-IT alignment is regarded by IT executives as one of their key issues. Much research has been carried out on Business-IT alignment. This has resulted in different models of alignment factors, different approaches to measure and communicate alignment in enterprises. The objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual basis for alignment measurement on the basis of the existing models. This paper will present the development of a conceptual Business-IT model of five alignment factor categories. These categories are: Intention and Support, Working Relationship, Shared Domain Knowledge, IT Projects and Planning, and IT Performance. The conceptual model has been made operational by identifying measures and measurement scales. To validate the alignment factor measurement model a case study has been carried out at five organisations operating in the financial sector in The Netherlands. The final objective is to improve the communication in enterprises between business and IT professionals on alignment and subsequently the selection and prioritization of IT projects.

Jos J. M. Trienekens, Rob J. Kusters, Llanos Cuenca
Chapter 2. Collaborative Health Informatics: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Modern healthcare is confronted with serious issues that are threatening its sustainability. Increasing costs and complexity, progressive population ageing and rapidly spreading pandemics triggered by new disease strains and by increased population displacements fuelled by conflicts and climate change are all major contributors to the healthcare quandary. In this context, effective cooperation and interoperability of the participants in the healthcare effort becomes paramount. Collaboration is an essential factor but also a major challenge, as typically healthcare institutions are hierarchical and heterogeneous due to various administrative, geographical and historical reasons. As the pressure on healthcare resources and management cost is constantly increasing, governments can no longer rely on information and organisational silo paradigms for managing population wellbeing. Innovative holistic and integrated models and procedures taking into account all essential aspects, elements, participants and their life cycle are necessary if these challenges are to be successfully met. Based on previous research and applications, this paper argues that such necessary artefacts can be built using a life cycle-based holistic paradigm enabled by advances in Information Systems, Interoperability, Collaborative Networks and Enterprise Architecture. This approach aims to provide a sound platform for sustainable solutions to both long and short-term challenges to population health and well-being.

Ovidiu Noran
Chapter 3. Understanding Feasibility Study Approach for Packaged Software Implementation by SMEs

Software engineering often no longer involves building systems from scratch, but rather integrating functionality from existing software and components or implementing packaged software. Conventional software engineering comprises a set of influential approaches that are often considered good practice, including structured programming, and collecting a complete set of test cases. However, these approaches do not apply well for packaged software (PS) implementation; hence this phenomenon requires independent consideration. To explore PS implementation, we conducted ethnographic studies in packaged software development companies, in particular, to understand aspects of the feasibility study approach for PS implementation. From an analysis of these cases, we conclude that firstly; the analyst has more of a hybrid analyst-sales-marketing role than the analyst in traditional RE feasibility study. Secondly; the use of a live scenario software demonstration in order to convince the client to buy into the PS may lead to increased perceived feasibility and reduced resistance to PS implementation. Thirdly; the assessment criteria that are used to estimate the effort and time needed for PS implementation are new features, level of customization, software ‘output’, and technical needs. Fourthly; the feasibility study for PS implementation differs strongly from traditional RE as the analyst mainly considers how to deal with requests for modifications to existing functions.

Issam Jebreen, Robert Wellington, Stephen G. MacDonell
Chapter 4. Towards P Systems Based Approach for Evolutionary Enterprise Application

Development of enterprise applications is expensive, takes time and requires knowledge, tools and techniques. Contemporary enterprise applications must be dependable as well as customizable in the evolutionary way according to changes in the enterprise business processes. The wider goal of our research is to develop techniques for development of enterprise applications that software end users, in collaboration with software developers, are able to change safely and easily according to changing requirements. In accordance to the software engineering triptych: to write software, the requirements must be prescribed; to prescribe the requirements, the domain must be understood; to understand the domain, we must study one. We present and exemplify P systems based enterprise domain model. We treat an enterprise as a membrane-computing structure and utilize P system notions, notations and formalisms in modelling of enterprises and enterprise business processes. In our understanding this P systems based enterprise model can provide a practically usable framework for development of evolutionary enterprise applications.

Gunnar Piho, Jaak Tepandi, Viljam Puusep
Chapter 5. Data-Oriented Declarative Language for Optimizing Business Processes

There is a significant number of declarative languages to describe business processes. They tend to be used when business processes need to be flexible and adaptable, being not possible to use an imperative description. Declarative languages in business process have been traditionally used to describe the order of activities, specifically the order allowed or prohibited. Unfortunately, none of them is worried about a declarative description of exchanged data between the activities and how they can influence the model. In this paper, we analyse the data description capacity of a variety of declarative languages in business processes. Using this analysis, we have detected the necessity to include data exchanged aspects in the declarative descriptions. In order to solve the gap, we propose a Data-Oriented Optimization Declarative LanguagE, called DOODLE, which includes the process requirements referred to data description, and the possibility to include an optimization function about the process output data.

Luisa Parody, María Teresa Gómez-López, Rafael M. Gasca
Chapter 6. A Set of Practices for the Development of Data-Centric Information Systems

We present a set of practices for the development of data-centric information systems (IS’s). The practices are about the architectural envisioning of systems and model-driven analysis of their certain subsystems. The goal of the architectural envisioning is to quickly achieve a suitable (in terms of well-established patterns) decomposition of the system into relatively autonomous subsystems to facilitate better understanding of it as well as support its design, implementation, maintenance, and future evolution. The goal of the model-driven analysis is to treat models as first-class citizens to facilitate better understanding of the system as well as the automation of its development. The practices can be used in the context of different development methodologies.

Erki Eessaar
Chapter 7. Towards an Ontology of SoS Interoperability: Proposition of a SoS Interoperability Framework and a SoS Conceptual Interoperability Model

Systems engineering is currently evolving to extend beyond the scope of a single system. Recently, the increasing number of interacting systems in society and industry generated a growing interest in a class of complex systems, called Systems of Systems (SoS), whose components are complex and independent. There is a growing interest for the creation of synergies between these component systems to achieve the desired performance of the overall system (SoS). The SoS approach is intended to build and analyze complex, independent and heterogeneous systems working (or designed to work) in cooperation. The SoS concept presents a high level perspective that explains the interactions between the independent systems. In the context of SoS engineering, interoperability is one of the most challenging problems. The aim of this paper is to present an interoperability framework and a conceptual model to formally structure knowledge about SoS Engineering and build an Ontology of SoS Interoperability (OoSoSI).

Houda Benali, Narjès Bellamine Ben Saoud, Mohamed Ben Ahmed
Chapter 8. Involving End-Users in the Design of a Domain-Specific Language for the Genetic Domain

The participation of end-users in software development ensures a better representation of their requirements in the resulting software product. With this aim, Domain-specific Languages (DSL) were proposed for abstracting the programming complexity of a domain and to provide an understandable tool for end-users. However, how end-users must be involved in the DSL development itself is also important, but it is not usually taken into account. As a solution, we propose a DSL development process for involving end-users; concretely, in this paper, we focus on their involvement during the design of the DSL syntax. For achieving this goal, we identify the decisions that developers must address to design the syntax, and we discuss how end-users can participate in those decisions. As a proof of concept, we apply the proposal to design the syntax of a DSL for genetic disease diagnosis software with the collaboration of geneticists and bioinformaticians from two SMEs.

Maria Jose Villanueva, Francisco Valverde, Oscar Pastor
Chapter 9. Improving Information System Interoperability in Social Sector Through Advanced Metadata

Information exchange constitutes a key operation in social security systems. In this context, semantic interoperability is fundamental in the development of joint definitions and interpretations concerning the data which is to be processed by various organisms. One of the main methods to handling of semantic conflicts are controlled vocabularies and metadata. This paper proposes a new metadata standard based on Dublin Core elements, focus on social security information systems problems and supported by controlled vocabularies. Future work should define testing scenarios to refine this new standard.

Francisco Delgado, Salvador Otón, Raúl Ruggia, José Ramón Hilera, Roberto Barchino
Chapter 10. Using Process-Level Use Case Diagrams to Infer the Business Motivation Model with a RUP-Based Approach

Building a business model for a software-based information system in ill-defined contexts is close to an impossible mission. Our recent work in eliciting and managing requirements from a process-perspective allows deriving a logical architecture but fails to provide a business and strategic view of the system. Adaptation of standard techniques to infer goals and requirements from scenarios and process-like diagrams, mapping backwardly the traditional business to process workflow, could help in building a business model and defining a strategy for the information system. We extend our V-Model approach with a Business Motivation Model representation, guided by a RUP-based backward transformation from process to business, so allowing for better and continuous alignment between Business and IS/IT, with improved traceability.

Carlos E. Salgado, Ricardo J. Machado, Rita S. P. Maciel
Chapter 11. Towards Elimination of Testing Debt in Outsourced IS Development Projects: A View from the Client Side

Although issues connected with outsourced information systems (IS) projects as well as origins of software project failures have been a part of research literature for several years, software testing is still sometimes viewed as “ugly duckling” in the field of IS research. In this paper software testing is presented as a key part of IS development projects and as a potential source of project failures. From the perspective of client organizations, potential sources of testing debt and consequent project risks in an outsourced project environment are identified. Also, initial findings how to eliminate these problems are presented. Several key principles of recommended client IS development project management practice are proposed, as this paper generally advocates for better test and quality governance from the client side than current observed practices. Additionally, the role of cognitive and psychosocial factors is briefly introduced and some proposals for further research are presented.

Michal Doležel
Chapter 12. From Traditional Practices to a Learning Community: A Knowledge Management Approach to Support Learning in Food Hazard Identification

Active knowledge creation and sharing about food safety hazards can be better fostered within a learning community. This paper proposes an innovative analysis and design framework for supporting knowledge work in a learning community. The framework was informed and derived from an investigation of knowledge creation and sharing practices about food hazard risks specific to the dairy industry. This paper presents a case study illustrating how traditional knowledge sharing practices were transformed through the application of a knowledge management framework. The knowledge management framework enabled the formation of a learning community that in turn facilitated improved integration of disparate instances of knowledge sources and fostered new connections between stakeholders for efficient food safety knowledge flow.

Henry Linger, Frada Burstein, Dora Constanidis
Chapter 13. Coordinating the Enterprise Modelling Effort by Means of an Entrepreneurial Goal Hierarchy

Enterprise modelling can be generally used as an approach for developing solutions for specific problems that are faced by an enterprise. However, managing such solutions is an extensive problem as it has to be ensured that a solution will be maintained and eventually excluded from the set of available and applied solutions. Additionally, it has to be ensured that enterprise modelling will be accordingly guided, as it is required to develop solutions that perfectly suit the company. Hence, there is a tremendous need for supporting the lifecycle of an enterprise model. In this paper an enterprise model will be regarded as any kind of model that supports the respective enterprise in achieving its business goals, regardless if it depicts a business process or the organisational structure. During this paper it will be shown, how goal modelling as a special type of an enterprise model can take a central role in supporting the modelling effort and its coordination. Furthermore the concept of an Entrepreneurial Goal Hierarchy will be introduced that will be used for coordinating the whole process of enterprise modelling executed in an enterprise.

Sebastian Bittmann, Oliver Thomas
Chapter 14. Merger and Acquisition Preparedness Building: An Enterprise Architecture Perspective

The increasing rate of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) draws attention of researchers and academics alike; however, the significant failure rate of such complex enterprise-wide transformations typically posing ‘wicked’ problems suggests a significant potential for improvements. Much research has been conducted to investigate the issues and problems in M&As in order to find and propose various ways to increase the percentage of positive outcomes. This abundance of M&A research creates a need to synthesise the existing results in order to propose a collective way to address M&A issues. In addition, due to the complexity, dynamicity and time constraints of M&As it seems that there is little time to implement the recommendation of the research community. This paper proposes a way to address this dilemma through building

preparedness

for M&As. Thus, before the actual M&A implementation, organisations undertake preventative measures to acquire necessary systemic properties (such as flexibility, agility, etc.), in order to be in a better position to address

anticipatable

or emergent issues.

Nilesh Vaniya, Ovidiu Noran, Peter Bernus
Chapter 15. Starting Building a IT Policy: A Quest to IT Success

An organization uses information technology (IT), because the IT is consistent with the functional and operational objectives designed by that organization. The investment that is required to place technological innovation in an organization carries significant weight. This weight can be translated into decision making or monetary costs. It is therefore important that after implementation, ensured close monitoring of their use and such monitoring can take many forms, one of which can be explicit through a usage policy. It is the responsibility of the technology manager, to outline the best policy to use the technology that was adopted first by, taking into account the need of the organization and secondly to ensure the construction of monitoring mechanisms and set up conditions to facilitate its successful use. Therefore, the study of the adoption and diffusion of a technological innovation provides these professionals more tools that can assist in the preparation of these strategies, without forgetting that it is necessary to plan at the user level and not only to assist the management in its objectives.

Pedro Neves Rito
Chapter 16. Design Within Complex Environments: Collaborative Engineering in the Aerospace Industry

The design and the industrialization of an aircraft, a major component, or an aerostructure is a complex process. An aircraft like the Airbus A400M is composed of about 700,000 parts (excluding standard parts). The parts are assembled into aerostructures and major components, which are designed and manufactured in several countries all over the world. The introduction of new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) methodologies, procedures and tools, and the need to reduce time-to-market, led Airbus Military to pursue new working methods to deal with complexity. Collaborative Engineering promotes teamwork to develop product, processes and resources from the conceptual phase to the start of the serial production. This paper introduces the main concepts of Collaborative Engineering as a new methodology, procedures and tools to design and develop an aircraft, as Airbus Military is implementing. To make a Proof of Concept (PoC), a pilot project, CALIPSOneo, was launched to support the functional and industrial design process of a medium size aerostructure. The aim is to implement the industrial Digital Mock-Up (iDMU) concept and its exploitation to create shop floor documentation.

Fernando Mas, José Luis Menéndez, Manuel Oliva, Javier Servan, Rebeca Arista, Carmelo del Valle
Chapter 17. Understanding Contradictions in Enterprise System Implementations: A Case for Stakeholder Theory

Enterprise Systems (ES) implementation is challenging, and handling conflicting interests may be vital for success. Previous research has established how ES implementation involves dialectics, often related to multiple stakeholders. Involved stakeholders have in previous studies been analyzed in a power perspective, through the lens of organizational influence processes. Stakeholder theory (ST) takes a wider perspective, by including legitimacy and urgency in addition to power. An interesting perspective is therefore a suggested combination of ST and dialectics. This paper presents an ES implementation case where the explicit combination of ST and dialectics was tried out in the data analysis. In this case, two types of contradictions surfaced in implementation process. The case demonstrates that stakeholder theory contributes to a richer understanding of these contradictions than a focus on power only. Based on previous research, power would be expected to be decisive for the outcome of contradictions. However, in this case urgency and legitimacy compensated for lack of power. This suggests that the combination of ST and dialectics is a useful theoretical perspective on ES implementation processes, to better understand contradictions.

Stig Nordheim, Kai R. Moseid-Vårhus, Arnfinn Min Bærø
Chapter 18. Company Process Support by Software Systems: Research in Small Software Companies in the Czech Republic

The aim of this paper is to introduce the results of a survey which focuses on the state of company process support by software systems in small software companies in the Czech Republic. The survey includes various processes from software development to other areas of company activities, e.g. human resources, finance, quality management, or utilities. The survey results show that two thirds of respondents are not satisfied with the current state of company process support.

Jan Mittner, Alena Buchalcevova
Chapter 19. An Integrated Information Systems Success Model: A Case Study of an Australian Hospital

Currently, the majority of Information Systems (IS) theories focus on either the technological side of impact analysis or attempts to rigidly define impact into discrete categories that wind up ignoring a part of the bigger picture. In this paper we will examine the UTAUT and ISS model as representations of these theories. In our opinion, the main shortcomings of these theories are that while they overlap slightly, the UTAUT model downplays the role of technological aspects involved in impact and that the ISS model oversimplifies the impact factor of system use by its users, thus not covering the necessary breadth needed to properly examine impact on a system’s users. To address these issues, we propose a new theoretical model, the Integrated Information System Success (IISS) model that integrates the two models. We have conducted a case study utilizing the model with a major Australian Hospital (Hospital Y), analyzing the impact of a recently implemented Patient Referral System (PRS), on users at the individual level. Our findings through the use of IISS indicate that there was an increase in workflow processes for the administrative staff as well as a sense of guilt and frustration that some of the frontline users experienced. These findings would not have been possible with the use of either the ISS or UTAUT models alone.

Tian Yu Goh, Morgan Priestnall, Sedigheh Khademi, Christopher Bain
Chapter 20. Identifying Essential and Optional Decision Constructs in On-line Transactional Processes

Decision-making for users during an on-line transactional process has become fragmentary and ‘start-stop’. Much of this discontinuance arises from decision points presented to users or consumers. Recent studies into Web development and user interface design practices amongst some airlines concluded that many optional extras are not presented as opt-in decisions, and are therefore in breach of European Union regulation. Furthermore, some airlines are using ‘imaginative’, sometimes unusual, decision constructs such as a ‘must-opt’. This construct has been the source of the research question in this paper; what are the nature and types of decision constructs that users encounter throughout on-line transactional processes? The findings presented herein make an incremental contribution in identifying and categorizing some new decision constructs alongside established ones.

Chris Barry, Mairéad Hogan, Ann M. Torres
Chapter 21. Ontology and SOA Based Data Mining to Business Process Optimization

The need to improve business process efficiency, to react quickly to changes and to meet regulatory compliance is the main driver for using

Business Process Intelligence

(BPI). BPI refers to the application of Business Intelligence techniques, like data warehousing, data analysis, and data mining, to find correlations between different workflow aspects and performance metrics, to identify the causes of bottlenecks, and to find opportunities for business process prediction and optimization, e.g. elimination not necessary steps. In this paper we propose an ontology and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) based approach for data mining process implementation for business processes optimization. The proposed approach was implemented in eight commercial companies, covering different industries, such as telecommunications, banking and retail. The experiment achieved shows that companies having data warehouse had a significant advantage, e.g. it allows us to eliminate not necessary operations and optimise business process.

Aleksander Pivk, Olegas Vasilecas, Diana Kalibatiene, Rok Rupnik
Chapter 22. Data-Aware Conformance Checking for Declarative Business Process Models

Since the accurate management of business processes is receiving increasing attention, conformance checking, i.e., verifying whether the observed behaviour matches a modelled behaviour, is becoming more and more critical. Moreover, declarative languages are more frequently used to provide an increased flexibility. However, little work has been conducted to deal with conformance checking of declarative models. Furthermore, only control-flow perspective is usually considered although other perspectives (e.g., data) are crucial. In addition, most approaches exclusively check the conformance without providing any diagnostics. To enhance the accurate management of flexible business processes, this work presents a constraint-based approach for conformance checking over declarative models (including control-flow and data perspectives) and for providing related diagnosis.

Diana Borrego, Irene Barba, Pedro Abad
Chapter 23. Taxonomy of Anomalies in Business Process Models

Anomalies in business process models refer to deviations from their expected structure, functionality, behavior, semantics, use of concepts and their expression, among others. The research in this paper focuses on anomalies in business process models with the aim to propose taxonomy of anomalies and devise ways to avoid them or to eliminate them when they occur. Anomalies are divided into basic categories and subcategories to the level of granularity that allows their differentiation, description of their specific causes and workarounds as well as their expression in the pattern format.

Tomislav Vidacic, Vjeran Strahonja
Chapter 24. An Automated Approach for Architectural Model Transformations

Software architectures are frequently represented as large models where many competing quality attributes have to be taken into account. In this context, there may be a large number of possible alternative architectural transformations that the architecture designer has to deal with. The complexity and dimensions of the solution space make that finding the most appropriate architecture considering several quality attributes is a challenging and time-consuming task. In this paper, we present a model transformation framework designed to automate the selection and composition of competing architectural model transformations. We also introduce a case study showing that this framework is useful for rapid prototyping through model transformations.

Grzegorz Loniewsli, Etienne Borde, Dominique Blouin, Emilio Insfran
Chapter 25. A Discrete-Event Simulation Metamodel for Obtaining Simulation Models from Business Process Models

Organizations need to be agile and flexible to meet the continuous changes. Business Process Management (BPM) is harnessing the continuous changes suffered by organizations in the value chain and, therefore, in their processes. Simulation models offer the ability to experience different decisions and analyze their results in systems where the cost or risk of actual experimentation are prohibitive. BPMN models are not directly executable nor is it possible to simulate their behavior in various input parameters. This paper proposes the application of model-driven engineering (MDE) to integrate the definition of business processes with Discrete- Event Simulation (DES) as a tool to support decision-making. We propose a platform independent DES metamodel and a set of rules, to automatically generate the simulation model from BPMN 2.0 based business process in accordance with previous metamodel.

M. Teresa García, M. A. Barcelona, M. Ruiz, L. García-Borgoñón, I. Ramos
Chapter 26. A Pattern-Based and Model-Driven Approach for Deriving IT System Functional Models from Annotated Business Models

Companies increasingly demand IT systems to support (part of) their business. In order to maximize return on investment, these systems need to be perfectly aligned both with the business and with the legacy applications with which they will be integrated. In this vein, this paper presents a pattern-based and model-driven approach for deriving IT system functional models from annotated business models. First, we explain how to annotate the BPMN 2 business models with information useful for deriving the functionalities. Then, we introduce a set of patterns aimed to help identifying the functionalities and the relationships existing among them from the annotated business models. Finally, we present an ATL model transformation that, based on the previous patterns, allows us to obtain UML2 Use Case Diagrams.

Javier Berrocal, José García-Alonso, Cristina Vicente-Chicote, Juan Manuel Murillo
Chapter 27. Applying Testing Techniques to Software Process Assessment: A Model-Based Perspective

Software processes constitute a major asset for an organization. However, in many occasions there are differences between defined processes and executed processes. For this reason, organizations spend time and effort of their resources to find these non-conformances. The use of software testing techniques could be a useful way to reduce these costs. This paper proposes a model-based approach and shows how software testing techniques can be applied to evaluate the execution conformity in a software processes context, and also to evaluate the model designed. A real execution of a NDT methodology process by means of the process model included in NDTQ-Framework (a solution based on this approach that is currently being used in software development organizations) illustrates the final results. Finally, conclusions and future work are stated.

L. García-Borgoñón, R. Blanco, J. A. García-García, M. A. Barcelona
Chapter 28. A Model-Based Approach to Develop Self-Adaptive Data Visualizations

Nowadays, a growing number of applications make use of data visualization techniques to effectively present information to the users. The complexity of these techniques increases as the number of visualization devices, the amount and variety of the input data sources, and the user- and application-specific requirements grow and change more and more rapidly every day. This work illustrates how the combined use of model-based and adaptive software development techniques eases the design and implementation of the data visualization systems, providing them with the ability to dynamically adapt themselves to changing situations and requirements. As a core part of the paper we present a case study to help us introduce the main elements of the proposal and to discuss its benefits and limitations.

Juan F. Inglés-Romero, Rober Morales-Chaparro, Cristina Vicente-Chicote, Fernando Sánchez-Figueroa
Chapter 29. A Language Oriented Extension to Toulmin’s Argumentation Model for Conceptual Modelling

The constructive step of modelling must account for the specific requirements of various stakeholders. Further, the quality of a model in terms of goodness-of-fit, completeness or other aspects may vary, because of future, as yet unknown, requirements. Natural language underpins the process of modelling as it is the predominant form through which models are acquired, negotiated and agreed. Whilst a model defines system requirements, it does not capture the assumptions, discussions and negotiations that led to the requirements. The ability to access this information, which is lost by most development processes, may significantly improve the utility of models with respect to changing requirements and system maintenance. This paper proposes a form of ‘literate modelling’ that can be used to capture the steps in model development and is based on Toulmin’s Argumentation model. The paper contributes the design of an argumentation modelling language and a set of rules for integrating multiple languages (or domains) with the Toulmin approach. The language and approach is applied to the domain of business process modelling.

Sebastian Bittmann, Balbir Barn, Tony Clark
Chapter 30. Architecture Derivation in Product Line Development Through Model Transformations

Product architecture derivation is a crucial activity in Software Product Line (SPL) development since any inadequate decisions made during the architecture design directly impact on the non-functional properties of the product under development. Although some methods for architecture derivation have been proposed in the last few years, there is still a need for approaches that model the impact among architectural design decisions and quality attributes and use this information to drive the derivation of high-quality product architectures. This paper, presents a set of guidelines for the definition of pattern-based quality-driven architectural transformations in a Model-Driven SPL development environment. These guidelines rely both on a multimodel that represents the product line from multiple viewpoints as well as on a derivation process that makes use of this multimodel to derive a product architecture that meets the quality requirements. The feasibility of the approach is illustrated using a case study on the automotive domain.

Javier González-Huerta, Emilio Insfran, Silvia Abrahão, John D. McGregor
Chapter 31. Collaborative Modeling Through the Integration of Heterogeneous Modeling Languages

Models are becoming the new programming code to specify software products. However, most tools that support model descriptions are oriented to a single-user with specific skills, which avoids the involvement of different roles to perform collaborative modeling (such as domain experts, stakeholders or end-users). In this paper, we present an approach to achieve collaborative modeling by bridging heterogeneous modeling languages. Specifically, our approach enables an existing modeling language to involve a different role who uses a different modeling language. On the one hand, we apply interoperability mechanisms to bridge heterogeneous modeling languages. On the other hand, we apply variability mechanisms in a novel way to set gaps in partially instantiated models that are completed using models of the different modeling language. We show the feasibility of the approach through a sample scenario that bridges two existing modeling languages to develop web information systems.

Francisca Pérez, Pedro Valderas, Joan Fons
Chapter 32. Positing a Factorial Model for Consumer Trust in Mobile Payments

Payments via mobile and wireless terminal devices (i.e. cell phone/smartphone handsets) have been introduced by businesses for more than a decade now—alas mostly with less than desired success. There are numerous barriers to widespread adoption and the required wireless architectures are often prone to competitive as well as technological incompatibilities. However, one important acceptance/appropriation determinant is users’ trust. A review of current literature indicates insufficient levels of consumer trust in mobile payments—despite its widely acknowledged potential. Moreover, this seems to be accompanied by a dearth of research aimed at establishing, isolating and operationally defining the factors that influence consumer trust in these payments. This study explored such trust factors in an explorative, qualitative study using focus group sessions in a significant Middle Eastern country. The results are formulated in a factorial framework based on five main conceptualisations: user/consumer characteristics; environmental (social, business and cultural) influences; provider profiles; mobile-device specifications; and the nature/level of perceived risks.

Ahmed Shuhaiber, Hans Lehmann, Tony Hooper
Chapter 33. Multipoint Web Real-Time Communication

One of the most significant current challenges for the Web is enabling human real time communication via voice and video known as a Real Time Communication (RTC). Many web applications with this functionality need some kind of plugins, downloads or installs. This paper introduces a novel approach on how to integrate real-time multimedia communication into

web browser

as the most natural way. After analyzing problems and addressing open issues of browser RTC, paper focuses on one identify issue—multiple peer connections, presenting potential network topologies with their pros and cons in terms of implementation, cost and quality. Our research is then focus on implementing one multipoint network topologies which enables videoconferencing. Proposed solution is based on using a WebRTC standard as work in progress with the biggest positive echo in research and developers in that field [12].

Ruben Picek, Samuel Picek
Chapter 34. Affecting Decision-Makers’ Attention through Mobile BI: Implications for Mobile BI Design Process

Mobile business intelligence (BI) enables the mobile workforce to attain knowledge by providing access to information assets anytime anywhere. Mobile BI’s main aim is to support decision-makers during the decision making processes. In decision situations many issues may be relevant, but it is impossible for decision-makers to attend to all of them as decision-makers are constrained by their limited capacity of attention. This paper uses the attention-based view theory to explore mobile BI and discuss its implications in terms of decision-makers’ attention and design process. The results of this study are based on analyses of published material, e.g. trade press and white papers, and semi-structured interviews with important stakeholders in the mobile BI field. This paper shows that the access to issues and answers anytime anywhere via mobile BI and its alerting capabilities affect the focus of attention of the decision-makers. The stakeholders should be actively involved in the design process so that the efficiency and effectiveness of mobile BI in the distribution of the decision-makers’ attention will be enhanced.

Olgerta Tona, Sven A. Carlsson
Chapter 35. Generating a REST Service Layer from a Legacy System

Web 2.0 phenomenon, REST APIs and growing mobile service consumption are leading the development of web applications to a new paradigm, named cross-device web application. Most organizations often possess legacy systems which should face an ongoing evolution process to enhance its accessibility and interoperability. In such scenario, a REST API plays a key role, defining the interaction layer between the legacy system and all its heterogeneous frontends. This work presents a model-driven approach to derive a REST API from a legacy web application within the frame defined by a modernization process. In this work we detail the API generation process and provide a sample implementation instrumenting one of the studied web development frameworks to evaluate the suitability of the approach.

Roberto Rodríguez-Echeverría, Fernando Maclas, Vlctor M. Pavón, José M. Conejero, Fernando Sánchez-Figueroa
Chapter 36. Effective and Considerate Change Notifications in Multidisciplinary Engineering Projects

In multidisciplinary engineering projects the effective and considerate propagation of changes is essential to ensure a consistent view of the project and to minimize defects and risks. To achieve this, the changes coming from one discipline need to be communicated and coordinated with the participants of the disciplines where those changes are relevant. In this paper, we introduce a user-centric context-adaptive notification manager (UCAN), which makes use of modelling techniques at design and runtime to derive effective change notifications that are delivered in a considerate manner. We present a prototype implementation of UCAN based on industry use cases and discuss its benefits and limitations based on the feedback from industry partner domain experts.

Estefanía Serral, Richard Mordinyi, Stefan Biffl
Chapter 37. Using Agile Methods for Infrastructure Projects: A Practical Experience

Agile approaches have emerged in Software Development projects during the last decade becoming a real alternative for organizations developing software. These approaches have been used successfully in several and different projects: from small teams of in-site developers to teams comprising hundreds of developers all over the world. Nevertheless, Agile approaches are not only suitable for Software Development projects, but these methodologies can also be considered to be a framework to plan, estimate and manage any kind of project s focused on quick-response, adaptation to customers’ needs and early delivery of value to costumers. This paper presents the result of an experience dealing with using an Agile framework, based on Scrum, in an infrastructure project applied to a Spanish Public Administration. According to the results of the project, the paper takes out the main lessons learned and proposes further lines of research.

C. J. Torrecilla-Salinas, J. Sedeño, M. J. Escalona, M. Mejías
Chapter 38. The Uncertainties Management Framework: Eliminating Uncertainties from the Process

Building software under current pressure of uncertainties coming from quickly changing global world, increased flexibility of requirements and changing customers’ expectations is a central challenge even using agile methodologies. Sources of uncertainties include requirements, communication process, involved people and the software engineering process itself. This paper is dedicated to revising the software engineering process and presenting ways we could eliminate uncertainties leaking through the process. This is done within the scope of the uncertainty management framework, which is an addition to common project management practices designed to identify, manage and control uncertainties within all stages and aspects of software engineering projects. The process related uncertainties management uncertainties’ elimination techniques include errors injection, stress testing, certainty testing of units, integration, features, usability and transportation components. It also concentrates on handling objects, which are subject for uncertainties like debt, recognised uncertainties, decisions and self-organised teams’ abilities. The software engineering process verification on uncertainties is a multistage process including planning, decision to execute, acting and monitoring, analysis, modification, acceptance and re-evaluation.

Deniss Kumlander
Chapter 39. Towards the Development of a Complex Adaptive Project Environment Assessment Tool

Managing complex software and information systems (IS) development projects in a continuously changing business environment is an arduous task. We argue that the success of a complex project depends on the underlying capability of the specific project environment to be adaptive to changes. Organizations have therefore a need to assess the capability of the underlying project environment to identify how well it supports the management of a complex project. In this paper we present the design of an initial “complex adaptive project environment assessment” (CAPEA) tool, which has been developed based on the eight key characteristics of the complex adaptive systems (CAS): Autonomy, Interdependence, EcoSystem Structure, Context Awareness, Non-Linearity, Emergence, Self-Organization, and Adaptation. The evaluation of the CAPEA tool is conducted by assessing two project methods in order to provide an initial indicative proof of concept. The evaluation of the CAPEA tool indicates that it can assist organizations to assess and improve the management of complex software or IS project methods, and reduce costly consequences associated with failed projects.

Corina Raduescu, Asif Qumer Gill
Chapter 40. ISO2: A New Breath for the Joint Development of IS and ISO 9001 Management Systems

We present ISO

2

, an approach for the joint development of information systems (IS) and ISO 9001 quality management systems (QMS). ISO

2

was outlined from 14 retrospective case studies, occurred between 2008 and 2012. We then validated and refined the approach through action research. We support the idea that IS and QMS synergies are more important than the perspective of one system merely supporting the other. The ISO

2

combines iterative development steps with a layered and incremental design framework, the O

2

. The O

2

metaphor can provide a common abstraction level for the joint design. Over one million companies struggle with IS and QMS disintegration. Our findings offer new insights for the joint development of organizational systems.

João Barata, Paulo Rupino da Cunha
Chapter 41. Incremental and Adaptive Software Systems Development of Natural Language Applications

Natural Language (NL) processing tools, such as tokenizers, part-of speech taggers or syntactic processors obtain knowledge from a set of documents (e.g., tokens, syntactic patterns, etc.) and produce the different elements that will take part on the discourse universe in a NL text (e.g., noun phrases, verbs, sentences, etc.). In this paper, we present how NL software systems development can be performed incrementally by using a high-performance specification language like Maude. A generic algebraic specification for NL is defined, including sorts and sub-sorts apart from equational properties, such as associativity and commutativity for built-in lists and sets. Then, the full discourse universe, available for NL processing, is described in terms of the algebraic specification by providing a non-deterministic but terminating set of transformation rules. Finally, and as a proof of concept, a set of documents for NL processing is given to Maude as an input term and successfully transformed into a proper document, exploring all the non-deterministic possibilities, as well as resolving the ambiguity in language. The main advantages of implementing NL in this manner are: generality, transparency, extensibility, reusability, and maintainability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to represent and develop complex NL software systems with this formal notation, and based on the analysis conducted, this implementation constitute the basis for the design and development of more specific NL processing applications, such as text summarization.

Elena Lloret, Santiago Escobar, Manuel Palomar, Isidro Ramos
Chapter 42. UCL: Universal Constraint Language

Current software applications typically consist of a system of multiple components, each being modeled using a different type of meta-model. In addition, when developing the application, various integrity-constraint languages are used for particular meta-models (e.g. OCL for UML, Schematron for XML schemas, or SQL triggers for relational databases). Hence, the constraint expressions need to be converted to expressions over the different meta-models (i.e. modeled) too, which is a non-trivial task. In this paper, a new universal language called

Universal Constraint Language

(

UCL

) for expressing integrity constraints over various data models is introduced. It is formally defined and also its parser is implemented within the

DaemonX

project. In particular, expressing constraints in UCL for UML class diagrams and for XML schemas is supported. Thanks to preserving mutual relations between models in

DaemonX

we can also we can also translate the respective constraints between the models.

Peter Piják, Jakub Malý, Martin Nečaský, Irena Holubová (Mlýnková)
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Information System Development
herausgegeben von
María José Escalona
Gustavo Aragón
Henry Linger
Michael Lang
Chris Barry
Christoph Schneider
Copyright-Jahr
2014
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-07215-9
Print ISBN
978-3-319-07214-2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07215-9