Knowledge-Based UML Activity Model Transformation Algorithm

Abstract

The main scope is to introduce the transformation algorithm of UML Activity model generation from Enterprise model (EM). The transformation algorithm is described in details by showing full process through steps. Whole generation process steps illustrated by particular example of Paper submission for the publishing following the transformation algorithm step by step.

Keywords

• eol>Enterprise Model
• IS Engineering
• Knowledge-based
• UML Activity Model

1. Introduction

implements a knowledge-based design stage in the IS development cycle. UML dynamic models can be genNowadays to insure business and IT alignment it is im- erated through transformation algorithms, when the portant to create communication between these two proper knowledge is collected into knowledge reposparts. It is often occasion that understanding how to itory, where it is already verified to insure automatiadopt new technologies to influence business is under- cally generated design models quality [ 18, 19 ]. standable just for one side and talking about this kind of IT improvement does not always perform well.

Information systems (IS) become more complex and 2. Enterprise Model As Basis In modelling methods and techniques are not suficient to Knowledge-based Is characterize all business and IT processes [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Enterprise modelling has become an irreplace- Engineering Process able part of IS development process. Traditionally IS engineering stages from modelling to code generation EMM is formally defined EM structure, which consists are implemented empirically. of a formalized EM in line with the general principles

Moreover, nowadays, computer-based IS engineer- of control theory. EM is the main source of the necesing, to avoid the empirical influence, is developing bas- sary knowledge of the particular business domain for ed on new knowledge-based methods [9, 10, 11]. Com- IS engineering and IS re-engineering processes (Fig. 1) puter-based IS in knowledge-based IS engineering, is [ 20, 21, 22 ]. developed using stored enterprise knowledge base of EM class model has twenty-three classes. Essential the particular business domain, i.e., enterprise model, classes are Process, Function and Actor. Class Prothe composition which is defined by formal criteria [1, cess, Function, Actor and Objective can have an inter2, 12, 13, 4, 14, 8, 15]. UML is one of the most common nal hierarchical structure. These relationships is presoftware specifications. It is a universal IS modelling sented as aggregation relationship. Class Process is language which is applied to a multitude of method- linked with the class MaterialFlow as aggregation relaologists and used in the most popular modelling tools. tionship. Class MaterialFlow is linked with the classes The importance of UML in software development has MaterialInputFlow and MaterialOutputFlow as generbecome more significant since the appearance of model- alization relationship. driven architecture [ 16, 17, 18, 19 ]. Class Process is linked with Classes Function, Actor The method of UML models generation from EM and Event as association relationship. Class Function is linked with classes InformationFlow, InformationIVUS 2020: Information Society and University Studies, 23 April 2020, Activity, Interpretation, InformationProcessing and ReKTU Santaka Valley, Kaunas, Lithuania alization as aggregation relationship. These relation" [e-mail] (I. Veitaite); [e-mail] (A. ships define the internal composition of the Class FuncLopata) tion. Class InformationFlow is linked with ProcessOut© 2020 Copyright for this paper by its authors. Use permitted under Creative putAtributes, ProcessInputAtributes, IPInputAttributes CPWrEooUrckReshdoinpgs IhStpN:/c1e6u1r3-w-0s.o7r3g CCoEmUmoRns WLiceonrsekAsthtriobuptioPnr4o.0cIneteerdnaitniognasl ((CCC EBYU4R.0)-.WS.org) and IPOutputAttributs as generalization relationship. Class InformationActivity is linked with Interpretation, lecting the initial model element is reasonably meanInformationProcessing and Realization as generaliza- ingful, because further generating process relies on it. tion relationship. Class Function linked with classes Many UML model elements iterates in diferent UML Actor, Objective and BusinessRule as association re- model, but these elements describe diferent aspects lationship. Class BusinessRule is linked with Inter- of the system. Table 1 presents how Enterprise model pretation Rule, Realization Rule, InformationProcess- element Business rule Actor, Process and Function can ing Rule as generalization relationship. Class Actor is have diferent significance in diferent UML models [23, linked with Function Actor and Process Actor as gen- 24, 25, 26]. eralization relationship [ 18, 19, 23 ].

3. Variations Of Enterprise

Model Elements Role

All UML models: static and dynamic can be generInformation systems design methods indicates the ar- ated from Enterprise model using transformation alrangement of systems engineering actions, i.e. how, gorithms [ 24, 25 ]. Figure 2 presents transformation alin what order and what UML model to use in the IS gorithm of UML model generation from EM process development process and how to implement the pro- and is described by following steps [ 24 ]. cess. Majority of them are based on diferent types of models describing varying aspects of the system qualities. Meaning of each model can be defined separately, but more important is the fact that each model is the projection of the system. An unexperienced specialist can use UML models inappropriately and the description of the system will supposedly be insuficient [ 23, 24, 25, 26 ]. Identifying specific UML model and se• Step 2: If the particular UML model for generation from EM process is selected then algorithm process is continued, else the particular UML model for generation from EM process must be selected. • Step 1: Particular UML model for generation from

EM process is identified and selected.

4. UML Models Transformation

Algorithms

• Step 3: First element from EM is selected for

UML model, identified previously, generation process. • Step 4: If the selected EM element is initial UML model element, then initial element is generated, else the other EM element must be selected (the selected element must be initial element). • Step 5: The element related to the initial element is selected from Enterprise model. • Step 9: If there are more related elements, then they are selected from EM and generated as UML model elements one by one, else the link element is selected from Enterprise model. • Step 10: The link element is generated as UML

model element. • 11: If there are more links, then they are selected from EM and generated as UML model elements one by one, else the Business Rule element is selected from Enterprise model. • Step 12: The Business Rule element is generated

as UML model element. • Step 13: If there are more Business Rules, then they are selected from EM and generated as UML model elements one by one, else the generated UML model is updated with all elements, links and constraints.

• Step 14: Generation process is finished.

4.1. UML Activity Model Description • Step 6: The element related to the initial element Activity model is one of the UML dynamic models, is generated as UML model element. which shows flow of control or object flow with underlining the sequence and conditions of the particu• Step 7: The element related to the previous ele- lar flow. The actions which are coordinated by activment is selected from Enterprise model. ity models can be initiated because other actions finish executing because objects and data become avail• Step 8: The element related to the previous ele- able, or because some events external to the flow ocment is generated as UML model element. cur [ 16, 17, 19 ]. 4.2. An Example of Paper Submission for Publishing Process • Step 8: Material Flow element from Enterprise In the Enterprise model there is stored data about submodel, which is related with the link to the Par- mitting the paper for the publishing. This informatition element is selected. tion consists of actors, processes, functions, material and informational flows and business rules. Regard• Step 9: If Material Flow element is an Object ing stored date it is possible to claim, that this data is Node element related to Partition and Activity enough for UML Activity model generation process. elements, then Object Node element is gener- The example presents Paper submission for the pubated. lishing process, where are three participants: author, Table 3 Table 5 Step 1 And Step 2 In UML Activity Model Generation Pro- Step 7 In UML Activity Model Generation Process cess who prepares and submits the paper, also updates the paper after the review; reviewer, who reviews the paper, makes the decision regarding rejection, prepares review report and recommendations for the update; Flow element is selected from Enterprise model and Editor, who receives review report, makes the deci- generated as UML Activity model’s Object Node elesion regarding acceptance and publishes the final ver- ment. Prepared paper – first object node of the author sion of the paper. Table 3 presents first two steps of of the Paper submission for publishing example is genUML Activity model transformation algorithm, where erated.

Actor element is selected from Enterprise model and Figure 4 presents full UML Activity model generated generated as UML Activity model’s Partition element. from Enterprise model of an example of Paper submisAuthor – first participant of the Paper submission for sion for publishing process. publishing example is generated. Transformation algorithm steps implementation con

Table 4 presents next four steps of UML Activity ifrms, that data of Paper submission for publishing promodel transformation algorithm, where Process/funct- cess stored in Enterprise model can be generated to ion element is selected from Enterprise model and gen- UML Activity model and as this data is already verierated as UML Activity model’s Activity element. Pa- fied and validated its accuracy and fullness is indeed per preparation – first activity of the author of the Pa- enough for the UML models generation process. per submission for publishing example is generated.

Table 5 presents seventh step of UML Activity model transformation algorithm, where next where Process- 5. Conclusions /function element is selected from Enterprise model and generated as UML Activity model’s Activity ele- The first part of the paper deals with the presentament. Paper submission – second activity of the au- tion of the Enterprise model, EM elements role variathor of the Paper submission for publishing example tions possibilities in UML dynamic models generating is generated. process and top level of transformation algorithm. In

Table 6 presents next four steps of UML Activity the next part the explanation of UML Activity model model transformation algorithm, where Informational transformation algorithm, which is described by steps,

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