=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-344/paper-12
|storemode=property
|title=Semi-Automated Model Synchronisation in SOM
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-344/paper12.pdf
|volume=Vol-344
|authors=Christian Flender,Thomas Hettel,Michael Lawley,Michael Rosemann
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/caise/FlenderHLR08
}}
==Semi-Automated Model Synchronisation in SOM==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-344/paper12.pdf
Semi-automated Model Synchronisation in SOM
Christian Flender and Thomas Hettel
c.flender@qut.edu.au, t.hettel@qut.edu.au
Faculty of Information Technology,
Queensland University of Technology,
Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract. Model-driven engineering is at the forefront among recent
attempts to information systems development. Models are gradually re-
fined from domain specific descriptions to more concrete models closer
to implementation. This is particularly relevant to the model transfor-
mation of collaborating business partners down to collaborating (web)
services as they share a common interactional perspective. However, as
requirements constantly evolve model layers change and so they have
to be kept in sync. Model synchronisation keeps track of those changes
and propagates them to other layers. This poster gives a brief introduc-
tion to model synchronisation as devised for the Semantic Object Model
(SOM), a promising approach to model-driven service engineering. SOM
allows for the gradual refinement of model layers through decomposition
of business objects respective their interactional relationships.
1 Introduction
Model-driven development of information systems bares the indispensability of
architectural frameworks. Architectures divide a complex model into several
model layers and perspectives so as to reduce the amount of aspects to be con-
sidered at a point in time. Transformations do not only allow for the gradual
refinement of a given layer but also hold together the whole system as a coherent
architecture. Furthermore, it is the availability of Service-oriented Architecture
(SOA) that increases the attractiveness of model-driven engineering as collabo-
rative aspects gain relevance for both domain modelling (e.g. business process
design) and implementation focus (e.g. compositions of web services). However,
constantly changing requirements enforce changes of model layers. For instance,
changes in the provision of business services (e.g. order processing) must be mir-
rored in terms of changes in the provision of technological services (e.g. automatic
order entry). Models should be kept in sync without violating the consistency of
the overall architecture. In a semi-automatic fashion, users are guided through
all layers to apply dependent changes step-by-step.
The Semantic Object Model (SOM) [1] is an approach to model-driven service
engineering. SOM allows for the deduction of executable process models from
high-level networks of interacting business partners [3]. This poster presents the
enhancement of SOM via change propagations for model synchronisation.
46 Proceedings of CAiSE’08 Forum
2 The Semantic Object Model (SOM)
The backbone of the Semantic Object Model (SOM) is an enterprise architec-
ture as shown in Figure 1. The architecture is divided into three main layers.
The enterprise plan defines the business system from an outside view in terms
of its goals, objectives and strategies embedded in a broader socio-cultural con-
text. From an inside view, the business process model implements the enterprise
plan. It is specified as a system of interacting business objects which coordinate
behaviour in purposefully providing and consuming services via transactions.
Once a network of collaborating actors is decomposed down to a sufficient level
of detail, resource assignments embody the system in terms of human actors and
web-enabled software components (implementation support).
Fig. 1. The Semantic Object Model (SOM).
It is the business process model that can be further refined by decomposing
interactions and objects. Interactions between objects are typed according to
the coordination principles negotiation and feedback-control. Negotiation defines
relationships between objects as either initiating (I), e.g. make offer, contracting
(C), e.g. accept order, or enforcing (E), e.g. deliver service. Feedback-control
relates objects through control transactions (R), e.g. give advice, and feedback
transactions (F), e.g. state report. Model layers emerge in gradually refining net-
works of interacting objects. This is done by applying patterns of object-relations
such as ICE, CE, RF or more complex combinations. For instance, consider the
Proceedings of CAiSE’08 Forum 47
decomposition of an object Supplier in two objects Sales and Retailer. In replac-
ing Supplier relations between Sales and Retailer require the former to give sales
advices (R) and the latter to confirm sold products (F). Following coordina-
tion principles in this manner new model layers emerge being in relationship
with each other. Hence, transformations between layers constitute the trace of
decomposition steps applied for their creation. However, once an architecture
is modelled, requirements may change. For instance, industrial development of
new products, services or markets may enforce new structures and relationships
between managerial and operational actors. To avoid developing architectures
anew from scratch each time requirements change, model synchronisation keeps
track of changes.
3 Model Synchronisation in SOM
Consider the example of a Buyer- Supplier network. In the initial model layer as
shown on the top-left side in Figure 2, both objects negotiate according to their
needs. In the second model layer, Supplier was decomposed in two objects Sales
Fig. 2. Model Synchronisation in SOM.
and Retailer (see Figure 2 on the bottom-left side). The latter sells the product
48 Proceedings of CAiSE’08 Forum
to Buyer from stock according to advice from a salesman. However, in order to
increase the range of products, the management decides to purchase selected
items from external sources. These products must be delivered in order to resell
them to buyers. On the top-right side in Figure 2 a new object Delivery is inserted
according to the changed requirements. This enforces change propagations so as
to keep Layer 1 and Layer 2 in sync. If one compares Layer 2 of the old model
and Layer 1 of the new model, propagations result from both the decompositions
which led to Layer 2 (D2 ) and the the insertion of Delivery in Layer 1 (∆1 ).
We devised a complete set of change propagation algorithms keeping track
of insertions, deletions and updates [2].
4 Conclusion and Future Work
The gradual refinement of model layers decreases complexity as systems are di-
vided into manageable parts without loosing track of the whole architecture.
Model-driven service engineering can unfold its full potential when architectures
evolute toward sustainability. Therefore, mechanisms are needed assuring the
propagation of changes on a particular layer to other layers so as to maintain
consistency. SOM’s transformation rules are derived from composable patterns
of coordinations between objects. Having enhanced SOM’s enterprise architec-
ture with change propagations, model synchronisation introduces flexibility and
accounts for evolving requirements. We are working on a SOM tool which is
partly available for presentation.
References
1. O. K. Ferstl and E. J. Sinz. Handbook on Architectures of Information Systems.,
chapter Modeling of Business Systems Using the Semantic Object Model (SOM)
- A Methodological Framework. International Handbook on Information Systems.
1997.
2. C. Flender and T. Hettel. Model-driven Service Engineering with SOM. Technical
report, FIT-TR-2008-02, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 2008.
3. C. Flender and M. Rosemann. Service-oriented Design of an Enterprise Architecture
in Home Telecare. In 18th Australasian Conference on Information Systems, 2007.