Analysis and design of Web-based information systems

Abstract

We have developed a method for analysis and design of web-based information systems (WBISs), and tools to support the method, WebArchitect and PilotBoat. The method and the tools focus on architectures and functions of web sites, rather than on appearance of each web resource (page), such as graphics and layouts. Our goal is to efficiently develop WBISs that best support particular business processes at least maintenance cost. Our method consists of two approaches, static and dynamic. We use the entity relation (E-R) approach for the statis aspects of WBISs, and use scenario approach for the dynamic aspects. The E-R analysis and design, based on relationship management methodology (RMM) developed by Isakowitz et al., defines what are entities and how they are related. The scenario analysis defines how web resources are accessed, used, and changed by whom. The method also defines attributes of each web resource, which are used in maintaining the resource. WebArchitect enables designers and maintainers to directly manipulate meta-level links between web resources that are represented in a hierarchical manner. PilotBoat is a web client that navigates and lets users collaborate through web sites. We have applied our approaches to the WWW6 proceedings site.