The main purpose of this paper is to present knowledge-based Enterprise model (EM) advantages as data repository for UML models generation. UML models can be generated from Enterprise Model, whose main requirement is that gathered data in this model would be verified and validated by analyst. UML models generation process is implemented by using particular transformation algorithms presented in previous researches. In this paper generation process from EM is represented by the School of Languages case study. By using problem domain data UML Use Case and UML Activity models are generated. Generation results help to define advantages of Enterprise Model usage as storage for problem domain data.
all UML models can be generated from Enterprise Model [3][5][7][9][10]. Structure of particular Enterprise Meta-Model (EMM) and Enterprise Model as the background for the research in this paper is presented almost two decades ago. Previous researches in this field are designated to prove that Enterprise meta-model and Enterprise Model is enough for different types of models generation in IS design phase [10][11][12][13][14].
EMM is formally defined Enterprise Model structure, which consists of a formalized EM in line with the general principles of control theory. EM is the main source of the necessary knowledge of the particular business domain for IS engineering and IS re-engineering processes (Figure 1) [3][4].
2021 Copyright for this paper by its authors.
EM class model has twenty-three classes. Essential classes are Process, Function and Actor. Class Process, Function, Actor and Objective can have an internal hierarchical structure. These relationships is presented as aggregation relationship. Class Process is linked with the class MaterialFlow as aggregation relationship. Class MaterialFlow is linked with the classes MaterialInputFlow and MaterialOutputFlow as generalization relationship. Class Process is linked with Classes Function, Actor and Event as association relationship. Class Function is linked with classes InformationFlow, InformationActivity, Interpretation, InformationProcessing and Realization as aggregation relationship. These relationships define the internal composition of the Class Function. Class InformationFlow is linked with ProcessOutputAtributes, ProcessInputAtributes, IPInputAttributes and IPOutputAttributs as generalization relationship. Class InformationActivity is linked with Interpretation, InformationProcessing and Realization as generalization relationship. Class Function linked with classes Actor, Objective and BusinessRule as association relationship. Class BusinessRule is linked with Interpretation Rule, Realization Rule, InformationProcessing Rule as generalization relationship. Class Actor is linked with Function Actor and Process Actor as generalization relationship [3][4][5][11].
Each of static and dynamic UML models can be generated through transformation algorithm and each of UML models has separate transformation algorithm. These transformation algorithms are defined in previous researches. Main focus of researches is designated for generation behavioural or dynamic UML models, because their complexity and variability [10][11][12][13][14][15]. 3.1.
UML Use Case model generation from Enterprise Model transformation algorithm starts from initial element. In this generation process Actor/Subject is initial element, after actor/subject element is generated, Use Case element is selected and generates, then Include, Extend and Association relationships elements are selected and generated. Transformation algorithm is illustrated by following steps [12]:
Step 1: The initial element Actor from Enterprise Model for UML Use Case model generation is selected.
Step 2: If Actor element is initial element of UML Use Case model, then Actor element is generated, else Subject element is generated.
The School of languages management process may be defined as courses management system that is used to manage language courses, timetable, lecturers and participants of the courses.
The School of languages offers a list of language courses related with different level of language knowledge and diverse study methods, which improve speaking, reading, listening, speaking and grammar skills. Each language course is made up of set of topics related with skills dedicated for improvement. The School of languages publish and maintain a timetable of different language courses and appoints lecturers every year.
Lecturers in the school of languages are appointed courses to teach according to the language knowledge level and their availability. There is a course administrators in the school of languages to manage the courses including course content, courses appointments to lecturers and preparation of the course timetable. Participants of language courses may review suggested courses, get information about lecturers and check the timetable of the courses.
The School of Languages purpose is to use the courses management information system to improve their services by managing courses, timetable, lecturers and participants. 4.1.
The main concept of UML Use Case model is that it assists to design a system from the end user's perspective, in this case, end users are Administrator, Lecturer and Participant.
UML Activity models present coordination of activities regarding process participants: Administrator, Lecturer and Participant. There can be more UML Activity model generated and at different levels of abstraction, but in this paper three possible models are presented, only to present this possibility.
UML Activity model for language course management performed by Administrator is generated from Enterprise model.
UML Activity model for lecturer information management performed by Administrator and Lecturer is generated from Enterprise model.
UML Activity model for participant information management performed by Administrator and Participant is generated from Enterprise model.
lecturer information management; appoints lecturer to the language course, prepares timetable and assigns participants to the language course.
Figure 5 presents generated UML Activity model from Enterprise model, where activities of actors, in this case, Administrator and Participant are displayed. Descriptions of these generated UML Activity Model elements are presented in the Table 4.
sequence of activities flow.
Main activities of the analyst responsibility may be described as: analysis of enterprise situation, identification of opportunities for improvements, design information system which will add value to the enterprise. The analyst gathers problem domain information, identifies all requirements, searches for suitable meta-model, verifies and validates data and starts implement IS by designing UML or other models. There is always risk of new problem, information or requirements appearance, which cause difficult design models updating and improving process. In this case, duration of IS developing process increase, and number of errors grows. Using Enterprise Model as the prime problem domain knowledge repository in IS engineering process ensures correctness and quality of generated IS design models after any possible problem domain data update (Table 5).
By using Enterprise Model in IS engineering process the analysts enters all gathered problem domain data into EM. Problem domain knowledge stored in EM is used for UML model generation through transformation algorithms. After any possible new data upload to the EM, it is re-used and new UML models based on improved data are generated. There is no need for the analyst to re-do entire process of models design.
The first part of the paper presents the Enterprise model structure and description of UML Use Case and UML Activity models transformation algorithms for generation from EM depicted by steps.
The next part presents School of Languages case study, which data is stored in knowledge-based Enterprise Model and is used in two types UML models generation process. There are presented UML Use Case model and three UML Activity models of different Actors perspective generated from Enterprise Model. These generated models confirms, that data stored in Enterprise model is enough for generation process.
Final part describes comparison by certain criteria of information systems analyst’s activities during IS development process with and without usage of Enterprise knowledge-based UML models generation method. 7. References [1] Dunkel J., Bruns R. (2007) Model-Driven Architecture for Mobile Applications. Proceedings of the 10th Inter-national Conference on Business Information Systems (BIS), Vol. 4439/2007, pp. 464–477. [2] Eichelberger H., Eldogan, Y., Schmid K. A (2011) Comprehensive Analysis of UML Tools, their Capabilities and Compliance. Software Systems Engineering. Universität Hildesheim. versio 2.0 [3] Gudas S. (2009) Architecture of Knowledge-Based Enterprise Management Systems: a Control View. Proceedings of the 13th world multiconference on systemics, cybernetics and informatics (WMSCI2009),) July 10 – 13, Orlando, Florida, USA, Vol. III, p.161-266 ISBN -10: 19934272-61-2 (Volume III).ISBN -13: 978-1-9934272-61-9 [4] Gudas S., (2012) Informacijos sistemų inžinerijos teorijos pagrindai/ Fundamentals of Information Systems Engineering Theory. (Lithuanian)Vilnius University. ISBN 978-609459-075-7 [5] Jacobson, I., Rumbaugh, J., Booch, G. (2005) Unified Modeling Language User Guide, The
Second Edition. Addison-Wesley Professional. ISBN: 0321267974 [6] Jenney J. (2010) Modern Methods of Systems Engineering: With an Introduction to Pattern and
Model Based Methods. ISBN-13:978-1463777357 [7] OMG UML (2021) Unified Modeling Language version 2.5.1. Unified Modelling https://www.omg.org/spec/UML/About-UML/ . [8] Sajja, P.S., Akerkar, R. (2010) Knowledge-Based Systems for Development. Advanced
Knowledge Based Systems: Model, Applications & Research, Vol. 1 [9] UML Diagrams (2021) UML diagrams characteristic. www.uml-diagrams.org [10] Veitaitė, I., Lopata, A. (2017) Transformation algorithms of knowledge based UML dynamic models generation // Business information systems workshops BIS 2017, Poznan, Poland, 28-30 June / editor Witold Abramowicz . - Series : Lecture notes in business information processing. Vol 303. Cham : Springer International Publishing, 2017 [11] Veitaitė, I., Lopata, A. (2018) Problem domain knowledge driven generation of UML models // Information and software technologies: 24th International Conference, ICIST 2018, Vilnius, Lithuania, October 4–6, 2018: proceedings / edited by: Robertas Damaševičius, Giedrė Vasiljevienė. Cham : Springer. [12] Veitaitė, Ilona; Lopata, Audrius. Knowledge-based UML use case model transformation algorithm // Business information systems workshops: BIS 2019 international workshops, Seville, Spain, June 26–28, 2019: revised papers / W. Abramowicz, R. Corchuelo (eds.). Cham : Springer, 2019. ISBN 9783030366902. eISBN 9783030366919. p. 39-48. (Lecture notes in business information processing, ISSN 1865-1348, eISSN 1865-1356 ; Vol. 373). DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-36691-9. [13] Veitaite I., Lopata A. (2020) Knowledge-Based Transformation Algorithms of UML Dynamic Models Generation from Enterprise Model. In: Dzemyda G., Bernatavičienė J., Kacprzyk J. (eds) Data Science: New Issues, Challenges and Applications. Studies in Computational Intelligence, vol 869. Springer, Cham [14] Veitaitė, Ilona; Lopata, Audrius. Knowledge-based UML activity model transformation algorithm // Information society and university studies 2020 : proceedings of the information society and university studies, 2020, Kaunas, Lithuania, April 23, 2020 / edited by: Adrius Lopata, Vilma Sukackė, Tomas Krilavičius, Ilona Veitaitė, Marcin Woźniak. Aachen : CEUR Workshop Proceedings. ISSN 1613-0073. 2020, p. 114-120. (CEUR Workshop Proceedings, ISSN 1613-0073 ; vol. 2698). [15] Veitaite I., Lopata A. (2020) Knowledge-Based Generation of the UML Dynamic Models from the Enterprise Model Illustrated by the Ticket Buying Process Example. In: Lopata A., Butkienė R., Gudonienė D., Sukackė V. (eds) Information and Software Technologies. ICIST 2020. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1283. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59506-7_3