Reference Modeling

Efficient Information Systems Design Through Reuse of Information Models

herausgegeben von: Professor Dr. Jörg Becker, Dr. Patrick Delfmann

Verlag: Physica-Verlag HD

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Reusability of information models has been discussed in science and practice for many years. Reference models are information models that are developed with the aim of being reused for different but similar application scenarios. They primarily promise time and cost savings, since parts of the reference models can be reused. The topic of reference modeling is addressed in this book from different perspectives: Besides reference modeling languages that provide special modeling language concepts for the development and application of reference models, reference modeling methodologies are discussed, which additionally provide procedure models for the construction and application of reference models. Moreover, particular reference models are discussed and evaluated.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Version Management for Reference Models: Design and Implementation

Abstract

The central idea in reference modeling is the reutilization of the business knowledge contained in a reference model for the construction of specific information models. The user’s task in reference model-based construction is the adaptation of the reference model. The derivation of specific models from reference models characterized as such corresponds with the creation of reference model variants. Research on the design of such variant constructions generally assumes an unchangeable stock of reference models. The potentials available in the management of these variant constructions, which reflect the changes in reference models through time and, in doing so, their evolutionary development, has not yet been tapped into. The article at hand analyzes this problem and presents a concept for the version management of reference models as a solution. The task to be mastered using the proposed approach will be concretized using data structures and a system architecture, as well as prototypically implemented in the form of an application system.

Oliver Thomas

Adaptive Reference Modeling: Integrating Configurative and Generic Adaptation Techniques for Information Models

Abstract

Reference models have to be adapted to fit to the according application situation. In order to reduce the adaptation efforts, the concept of configurative reference modeling represents a promising approach. Nevertheless, since not every requirement of possible reference model users can be anticipated by the reference model developer, further model adaptations have to be performed. In order to support the reference model user decreasing his adaptation efforts by providing a higher methodological support, we propose to integrate generic model adaptation techniques with configurative reference modeling. Our paper presents recommendations for the construction of modeling languages that realize an integration of configurative and generic reference modeling.

Jörg Becker, Patrick Delfmann, Ralf Knackstedt

Configurable Process Models — A Foundational Approach

Abstract

Off-the-shelf packages such as SAP need to be configured to suit the requirements of an organization. Reference models support the configuration of these systems. Existing reference models use rather traditional languages. For example, the SAP reference model uses Event-driven Process Chains (EPCs). Unfortunately, the choice construct within traditional process modeling languages like EPCs do not capture different scopes or impacts of decisions. That means they offer no opportunities to distinguish between decisions made for a single case (i. e. process instance) when executing the process and decisions made in advance for numerous cases impacting bigger parts of the company. This paper discusses the need for configurable process models. An analysis of configuration from a theoretical perspective provides a solid fundament for such models. Within the analysis a link is made to inheritance of dynamic behavior and previously defined inheritance concepts. By applying these concepts to process models the essence of configuration is determined, which enables the development of more mature configurable process modeling languages.

Florian Gottschalk, Wil M. P. van der Aalst, Monique H. Jansen-Vullers

Supporting Enterprise Systems Introduction by Controlling-Enabled Configurative Reference Modeling

Abstract

Enterprise system (ES) customization is often an expensive and time consuming task. These systems often come with preconfigured processes and data objects that can be regarded as best-practice and which are documented by information models. ES customization can be accelerated if these models are used for the customization process. This requires profound configuration and adaptation mechanisms together with a reference model that encompasses variants due to specific customer needs. To ensure continuous improvement towards a shorter customization time and reduced cost, controlling of the adaptation process becomes a crucial task. This controlling aims at improving the reference model basis and configuration mechanisms. Therefore we introduce configuration mechanisms that can be used to customize information models due to company characteristics in order to be interpreted afterwards by the ES to perform the necessary customization steps.

Tobias Rieke, Christian Seel

RefModPM: Reference Information Model for Enterprise-Wide Project Planning, Controlling and Coordination in Matrix Project Organizations

Abstract

Project information systems can be regarded as a sub-system of project management systems. Their aim is to supply all relevant stakeholders with the information necessary to plan, control and coordinate projects. The objective of the research presented in this paper is the development of a semi-formal, conceptual reference information model for the enterprise-wide planning, controlling and coordination of projects in matrix project organizations, which can serve as a basis for information system development (RefMod^PM). The reference model construction is based on 13 in-depth interviews with domain experts from large German and Swiss enterprises and the analysis of 28 commercial software products for the problem domain. The paper reflects the corresponding research process and shows the reference model’s architecture. Parts of the reference model are discussed to give an impression of the outcome of the research.

Frederik Ahlemann

Application-Oriented Evaluation of the SDM Reference Model: Framework, Instantiation and Initial Findings

Abstract

Reference models have become fundamental tools in Information Systems research owing to the associated claim of reusing existing knowledge and getting faster and better solutions by adapting reference models instead of modeling and developing them individually. While the advantages are widely stated they are currently not reflected in documented acceptance and usage of reference models in practice. This calls for empirical substantiation of the claims of reference models. This paper summarizes a framework for the application-oriented evaluation of reference models and instantiates the framework for a reference model for Service Data Management (SDM). We argue that the claim of a reference model should be evaluated in three distinct stages of a reference model supply chain: reference modeling, solution design, and business transformation. Based on these stages, we propose a detailed evaluation plan using the Goal-Question-Metric approach and present first evaluation results, which have already led to improvements of the reference model. The paper is intended as stimulus for discussing viable approaches to empirically support research on reference modeling.

Tilo Böhmann, Michael Schermann, Helmut Krcmar

Backmatter

Titel: Reference Modeling
herausgegeben von: Professor Dr. Jörg Becker
Dr. Patrick Delfmann
Verlag: Physica-Verlag HD
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-7908-1966-3
Print ISBN: 978-3-7908-1965-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-1966-3