Bunge-Wand-Weber Research Articles

Using ArchiMate to model ISO/IEC 29110 standard for very small entities

Paper concentrates on the ISO/IEC 29110 standard aimed at improving systems and software engineering life cycle processes in very small entities, which has been recently developed and started to be implemented worldwide. With the purpose to facilitate development and maintenance of this standard and its implementation in very small entities utilization of ArchiMate is proposed. The ArchiMate is a widely accepted open standard for modeling Enterprise Architecture supported by a variety of modeling tools, which was also successfully used beyond Enterprise Architecture domain. The contribution of this paper lies in (1) the development of the ISO/IEC 29110 Basic Profile Metamodel; (2) the definition of the mapping between the ISO/IEC 29110 Basic Profile Metamodel and ArchiMate; (3) its evaluation using the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) model; (4) the application of the mapping resulting in the development of the ISO/IEC 29110 Basic Profile ArchiMate Model being implemented in a modeling tool that is freely available and can be used by VSEs, assessors and standard developers.

Overcoming expressiveness deficit of business process modeling languages

Igor G. Fiodorov - Associate Professor, Department of Applied Information Technologies and Information Security, Plekhanov Russian University of EconomicsAddress: 7, Nezhinskaya Street, Moscow, 119501, Russian FederationE-mail: IFedorov@mesi.ru Y. Wand and R. Weber have suggested that the ontological clarity of the modeling language can be evaluated by comparing the alphabet of this language with the constructs of top level ontology known as Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW). According to them, one of the key success factors of using a given language is its ability to provide the users with a symbol set, which can directly reflect appropriate ontology concepts. However, the ontology is not limited to a thesaurus; it also covers the structure of relations between concepts. It may be assumed that the modeling language must be able to convey these relationships. Therefore, the approach of Y. Wand and R. Weber can be significantly enhanced if the structural relationships among BWW ontology concepts are studied. This paper also makes an attempt to extend the BWW ontology as applied to business process modeling, since in its current form it does not make it possible to represent logical operators and the temporal characteristics. We enhance the BWW ontology with transformations which change mutual properties, they correspond to logical operators. The interpretation of the event concept is modified such that it designates the moment in time when the object state changes. It is demonstrated that external events are connected to each process operation. Thus, the items of temporal logic: the moment in time and time interval between two consecutive events are added. The investigation of relations among enhanced BWW ontology concepts made it possible to substantiate five perspectives of the process model and identify formalisms used for their description, i.e. informational - entity-relation diagram; behavioral - state transition diagram; transformational - dataflow diagram; temporal - event graph; logical - ordinary Petri nets. Multiple research shows that process modeling languages and notations are not able to displayimmediately all BWW ontological model concepts, but only part of them. Moreover, the authors of these researches focus their attention on a percentage ratio of modeled and unmodeled concepts, calculate a relative degree of deficit, redundancy, excess and overload. For overcoming the deficit, this paper proposes to model a business process not in one notation but in several correlated diagrams, so that each diagram reveals separate perspectives, and all together they form a coordinated, integrated process description.

Heraclitean Ontology for Specifying Systems

Recently, there has been renewed interest in applying (formal) ontologies to develop real-world semantics for conceptual modeling that guides the modeling process. The best-known ontology in this context is the BWW (Bunge-Wand-Weber) ontology, which provides a classification of concepts to represent the application domain in a specific categorization. BWW has been used to analyze and evaluate UML/SysML constructs and to map them to ontological concepts. This paper examines complex systems that rely on SysML-based modeling for designing and managing projects using model-driven process. It is claimed that such methodology ensures high quality, trustworthiness, cost efficiency, and schedule compliance throughout the life cycle of a project. The problem is that the current dominant paradigm in the model-driven process, motivated by UML and SysML, focuses on a multiplicity of specifications. It is claimed that building a meaningful single model that encompasses the whole system is impossible; thus, series of models are produced that offer various “views” of the system. Nevertheless, the thesis of this paper is that SysML achieves only marginal success as a modeling tool because of its multiplicity and fragmentation of representations, and its failure to furnish a nucleus around which different phases of the development process can evolve. Accordingly, a new ontological foundation is proposed, based on the notion of flow adopted from the teachings of Heraclitus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher. This approach is applied to a sample study case utilized in the SysML-based software development process called CORE (Vitech Corporation) that presents an integrated, model-driven systems engineering environment. The results point to the viability and advantages of the new methodology in comparison with SysML system specification.

Identifying Ontological Modifications to the Resource-Event-Agent (REA) Enterprise Ontology Using a Bunge-Wand-Weber Ontological Evaluation

ABSTRACT A Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) ontological evaluation was performed to evaluate the REA enterprise ontology for appropriateness as a basis for today's enterprise systems. A BWW ontological evaluation emphasizes two criteria (completeness and clarity) and two independent mappings (representation and interpretation). The results of the evaluation confirm that the majority of the REA constructs correspond with a subset of the BWW constructs. Based on the results of this study, there are recommended modifications to the REA enterprise ontology including extensions associated with state, event, and system related constructs, as well as other clarifications.

Modeling languages for business processes and business rules: A representational analysis

Process modeling and rule modeling languages are both used to document organizational policies and procedures. To date, their synergies and overlap are under-researched. Understanding the relationship between the two modeling types would allow organizations to maximize synergies, avoid content duplication, and thus reduce their overall modeling effort. In this paper, we use the Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) representation theory to compare the representation capabilities of process and rule modeling languages. We perform a representational analysis of four rule modeling specifications: The Simple Rule Markup Language (SRML), the Semantic Web Rules Language (SWRL), the Production Rule Representation (PRR), and the Semantics of Business Vocabulary and Business Rules (SBVR) specification. We compare their BWW representation capabilities with those of four popular conceptual process modeling languages. In our analysis, we focus on the aspects of maximum ontological completeness and minimum ontological overlap. The outcome of this study shows that no single language is internally complete with respect to the BWW representation model. We also show that a combination of two languages, in particular SRML and BPMN, appears to be better suited for combined process and rule modeling than any of these modeling languages used independently.

Semantics of the MibML Conceptual Modeling Grammar

A conceptual modeling grammar should be based on the theory of ontology and possess clear ontological semantics to represent problem domain knowledge in a precise and consistent manner. In this paper, we follow the notion of ontological expressiveness and conduct an ontological analysis of a newly-developed conceptual modeling grammar termed MibML (Multiagent-based Integrative Business Modeling Language). The grammar is developed to respond to the emerging needs for a special-purpose conceptual modeling grammar for the MIBIS (multi-agent-based integrative business information systems) universe. We assign ontological semantics to the MibML constructs and their relationship using the BWW (Bunge Wand-Weber) model. This article provides a starting point to further develop ontological principles and step-by-step guidelines to ensure the straightforward mapping from domain knowledge into MibML modeling constructs.

Candidate interoperability standards: An ontological overlap analysis

A web service choreography standard enables a standardized description of business processes that allows not only a clear specification of the control flow, but also forms the basis for the actual process execution. Such standards are part of the web services stack and facilitate enterprise systems interoperability. A simple indication of the rapid growth of this area is the number of new and existing standards. However, while the list of standards is expanding, there is an obvious lack of sound theoretical evaluation and comparison of these standards. To provide a basis for this theoretical evaluation and comparison, we use the well-established Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) models, in particular the representation model. We, and other researchers, have shown the usefulness of the BWW representation model for analyzing, evaluating, and engineering techniques in the areas of traditional and structured systems analysis, object-oriented modeling, and process modeling. In this paper, we present the BWW ontological analysis of four dominating candidate interoperability standards; ebXML Business Process Specification Schema BPSS (v1.01), the Business Process Modeling Language BPML (v1.0), the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services BPEL4WS (v1.1) and the Web Service Choreography Interface WSCI (v.1.0). The application of the BWW representation model and the overlap analysis across the four standards has resulted in several interesting findings. First, we have identified a set of ontological constructs for which representations are missing in each of the standards. This situation has allowed us to generate a number of propositions as to the potential weaknesses of the standards in general. Second, the analysis has shown that ebXML BPSS is a “clear winner” with respect to the ontological expressiveness and the maturity of the specification. Furthermore, the analysis has also allowed us to identify two sets of standards viz. ebXML BPSS and BPEL4WS, ebXML BPSS and WSCI, that, when used together, provide the user with the largest available set of meaningful constructs required to implement systems interoperability. Finally, the analysis explains which standards are complementary to each other and which standards are in fact competing standards.

Ontological evaluation of enterprise systems interoperability using ebXML

Enterprise systems interoperability (ESI) is an important topic for business currently. This situation is evidenced, at least in part, by the number and extent of potential candidate protocols for such process interoperation, viz., ebXML, BPML, BPEL, and WSCI. Wide-ranging support for each of these candidate standards already exists. However, despite broad acceptance, a sound theoretical evaluation of these approaches has not yet been provided. We use the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) models, in particular, the representation model, to provide the basis for such a theoretical evaluation. We, and other researchers, have shown the usefulness of the representation model for analyzing, evaluating, and engineering techniques in the areas of traditional and structured systems analysis, object-oriented modeling, and process modeling. In this work, we address the question, what are the potential semantic weaknesses of using ebXML alone for process interoperation between enterprise systems? We find that users lack important implementation information because of representational deficiencies; due to ontological redundancy, the complexity of the specification is unnecessarily increased; and, users of the specification have to bring in extra-model knowledge to understand constructs in the specification due to instances of ontological excess.

The effect of the number of concepts on the readability of schemas: an empirical study with data models

The number of concepts in a model has been frequently used in the literature to measure the ease of use in creating model schemas. However, to the best of our knowledge, nobody has looked at its effect on the readability of the model schemas after they have been created. The readability of a model schema is important in situations where the schemas are created by one team of analysts and read by other analysts, system developers, or maintenance administrators. Given the recent trend of models with increasing numbers of concepts such as the unified modeling language (UML), the effect of the number of concepts (NOC) on the readability of schemas has become increasingly important. In this work, we operationalize readability along three dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, and learnability. We draw on the Bunge Wand Weber (BWW) framework, as well as the signal detection recognition theory and the ACT theory from cognitive psychology to formulate hypotheses and conduct an experiment to study the effects of the NOC in a data model on these readability dimensions. Our work makes the following contributions: (a) it extends the operationalization of the readability construct, and (b) unlike earlier empirical work that has focused exclusively on comparing models that differ along several dimensions, this work proposes an empirical methodology that isolates the effect of a model-independent variable (the NOC) on readability. From a practical perspective, our findings have implications both for creators of new models, as well as for practitioners who use currently available models for creating schemas to communicate requirements during the entire lifecycle of a system.

Using BWW model to evaluate building ontologies in CGs formalism

The Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) representation model defines ontological constructs for information systems. According to these constructs the completeness and efficiency of a modeling technique can be defined. Ontology plays an essential role in e-commerce. Using or updating an existing ontology and providing tools to solve any semantic conflicts become essential steps before putting a system online. We use conceptual graphs (CGs) to implement ontologies. This paper evaluates CG capabilities using the BWW representation model. It finds out that CGs are ontologically complete according to Wand and Weber definition. Also it finds out that CGs have construct overload and construct redundancy which can undermine the ontological clarity of CGs. This leads us to build a meta-model to avoid some ontological-unclarity problems. We use some of the BWW constructs to build the meta-model.

An Evaluation of Inter-Organizational Workflow Modelling Formalisms

This paper evaluates the dynamic aspects of the UML in the context of inter-organizational workflows. Two evaluation methodologies are used. The first one is ontological and is based on the BWW (Bunge-Wand-Weber) models. The second validation is based on prototyping and consists of the development of a workflow management system in the aerospace industry. Both convergent and divergent results are found from the two validations. Possible enhancements to the UML formalism are suggested from the convergent results. On the other hand, the divergent results suggest the need for a contextual specification in the BWW models.

A Template for Defining Enterprise Modelling Constructs

The paper explains the need for a standard way of defining modelling constructs from different enterprise modelling languages and proposes a template for defining enterprise modelling constructs in a way that facilitates language integration. The template is based on the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) representation model of information systems (IS) and has been used on several existing modelling languages and frameworks. It is illustrated with definitions of constructs from the Unified Modeling Language (UML). The paper focusses on modelling constructs that represent concrete problem domains, i.e., that represent materials rather than concepts, and thus focuses on the concrete parts and aspects of enterprises.

Ontological Evaluation of the UML Using the Bunge–Wand–Weber Model

An ontological model of information systems, the Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) model, is used to analyse and evaluate the Unified Modeling Language (UML) as a language for representing concrete problem domains. As a result, each relevant and major UML construct becomes more precisely defined in terms of the phenomena in and aspects of the problem domain it represents. The analysis and evaluation shows that many of the central UML constructs are well matched with the BWW-model, but also suggests several concrete improvements to the UML-metamodel. New metaclasses are proposed to distinguish between (physically) impossible and (humanly) disallowed events, based on UML-exceptions. New abstract metaclasses are proposed for static and behavioural constraints, behaviours and static behaviours, as well as binding relationships and coupled events. New meta-subclasses of UML-objects, -classes, -typesand -relationshipsare proposed to make the UML more orthogonal, and a new definition is proposed for UML-responsibilities. The analysis also shows that the constructs in the UML must play several roles simultaneously, supporting representation both of the problem domain, of the development artifacts and of the proposed software or information system, while fitting together as a tightly integrated, well-defined language.

Developing a meta model for the Bunge–Wand–Weber ontological constructs

At the core of the analysis task in the development process is information systems requirements modelling. Modelling of requirements has been occurring for many years and the techniques used have progressed from flowcharting through data flow diagrams and entity-relationship diagrams to object-oriented schemas today. Unfortunately, researchers have been able to give little theoretical guidance only to practitioners on which techniques to use and when. In an attempt to address this situation, Wand and Weber have developed a series of models based on the ontological theory of Mario Bunge—the Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) models. Two particular criticisms of the models have persisted however—the understandability of the constructs in the BWW models and the difficulty in applying the models to a modelling technique. This paper addresses these issues by presenting a meta model of the BWW constructs using a meta language that is familiar to many IS professionals, more specific than plain English text, but easier to understand than the set-theoretic language of the original BWW models. Such a meta model also facilitates the application of the BWW theory to other modelling techniques that have similar meta models defined. Moreover, this approach supports the identification of patterns of constructs that might be common across meta models for modelling techniques. Such findings are useful in extending and refining the BWW theory.

Ontological Analysis of Integrated Process Models: testing hypotheses

Integrated process modeling is achieving prominence in helping to document and manage business administration and IT processes in organizations. The ARIS framework is a popular example for a framework of integrated process modeling not least because it underlies the 800 or more reference models embedded in the world's most popular ERP package, SAP R/3. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) representation model for evaluating modeling grammars such as those constituting ARIS. It reports some initial insights gained from pilot testing Green and Rosemann's (2000) evaluative propositions. Even when considering all five views of ARIS, modelers have problems representing business rules, the scope and boundary of systems, and decomposing models. However, even though it is completely ontologically redundant, users still find the function view useful in modeling.

Grounding the OML metamodel in ontology

The paper analyses and evaluates the OPEN Modelling Language (OML) in terms of the Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) model of information systems in order to: (1) Define the semantics of each relevant OML construct in terms of the kind of problem-domain phenomena they are intended to represent. (2) Inform further improvement of OML and similar object-oriented (OO) modelling languages by identifying OML-constructs which are ontologically overloaded, redundant or excessive and by identifying construct deficits in OML. (3) Investigate the ontological assumptions underlying OO modelling further. (4) Identify the multiple roles played by OML-constructs, some of which must simultaneously (a) support representation of the problem domain, (b) support developers and other stakeholders in establishing requirements and creating a software artifact, (c) support representation of that software artifact and (d) form a well-defined, compact and tightly integrated modelling language. (5) Provide general guidelines for defining OO and other modelling constructs in terms of the kind of problem-domain phenomena they are intended to represent.

Integrated process modeling: An ontological evaluation

Process modeling has gained prominence in the information systems modeling area due to its focus on business processes and its usefulness in such business improvement methodologies as Total Quality Management, Business Process Reengineering, and Workflow Management. However, process modeling techniques are not without their criticisms [13]. This paper proposes and uses the Bunge-Wand-Weber (BWW) representation model to analyze the five views — process, data, function, organization and output — provided in the Architecture of Integrated Information Systems (ARIS) popularized by Scheer [39, 40, 41]. The BWW representation model attempts to provide a theoretical base on which to evaluate and thus contribute to the improvement of information systems modeling techniques. The analysis conducted in this paper prompts some propositions. It confirms that the process view alone is not sufficient to model all the real-world constructs required. Some other symbols or views are needed to overcome these deficiencies. However, even when considering all five views in combination, problems may arise in representing all potentially required business rules, specifying the scope and boundaries of the system under consideration, and employing a “top-down” approach to analysis and design. Further work from this study will involve the operationalization of these propositions and their empirical testing in the field.