Actor\u2019s social complexity: a proposal for managing the iStar model

Fábio Penha,Márcia Lucena,Erica Miranda,Celso Sá Filho,Fernanda Alencar,Leonardo Lucena

doi:10.1186/s40411-018-0055-3

Abstract

Complex systems are inherent to modern society, in which individuals, organizations, and computational elements relate with each other to achieve a predefined purpose, which transcends individual goals. In this context, these systems’ complexity is originated by the large number of parts interacting in a non-simple way, given the properties of these parts and the laws, as well as by the wishes that govern these interactions. Also, in organizations, there is a need for additional information to understand this universe considering the already consolidated static and dynamic dimensions. With this purpose, the iStar framework was developed to capture and represent intentional and social information in two views: Strategic Dependency (SD) and Strategic Rationale (SR). This framework, however, does not offer alternatives to deal with the complexity that is inherent to modern society systems, which is related to a large number of parts interacting, when modeled from their views. The problem is present in monolithic languages because they do not consist of building blocks, such as subprocesses or modules. Despite this problem, the iStar framework provides modeling versatility by combining goal-oriented paradigms and agents. Another positive point is the focus on intentional and social properties, thus providing expressiveness aligned with the modern society’s demand, in which everything is related. Therefore, the objective of this research was to provide ways for the iStar framework to deal with the complexity presented by complex systems and, consequently, make iStar models understandable to be used, in a given context. The proposal is based on a state of the art review to create an interdependente part for the iStar models and will make the construction of views as a composition of these parts possible. To make it happen, and considering its benefits, a textual notation (SMiLe - Scalable Modular iStar Language) was conceived and applied to support the architecture within this social modeling scenario. The proposal and its artifacts were submitted to a proof of concept, and then, through adjustments, an evaluation was carried by the users through a case study. The results pointed to evidence of the possible management of iStar model and an improvement in the understanding of this model, suggesting that the proposed solution is a feasible alternative for the established objective.

Highlights

Computational systems strengthen their relationship with society with each challenge faced, assuming a strategic position in the most several activities and areas (Yu 2009)
5.2 Results The data obtained through the forms and submitted to the participants and the researchers’ observations were organized into a data matrix to undergo analysis and measurement that were adequate to the systematic and critical process planned for this research
Considering the “RQ1: would the proposed graphical construction, provided by the compositions of actor’s social complexities, allow to elaborate diagrams that could concentrate on a given situation?”, the seven pairs participating indicated that compositions of actor’s social complexities assisted in reading and understanding the monolithic model of the iStar framework

Summary

Introduction

Computational systems strengthen their relationship with society with each challenge faced, assuming a strategic position in the most several activities and areas (Yu 2009). This scale can be inferred by the following statements and projections (Gubbi et al 2013; Bello and Zeadally 2013): (a) In 2011, the number of devices in the world exceeded the number of people; (b) In the year 2013, there were already nine billion devices in the world; (c) By 2020, there’s a projection of 50 billion devices in the world, all of them interconnected and interacting among themselves to offer society comfort and information The awareness of this sociotechnical environment, in which different devices and their information influence the most distinct activities, has provided even more complex systems. It is possible to shape, analyze and reconfigure the relationships between elements, emphasizing their intentions, responsibilities, and vulnerabilities

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion