In this paper, we introduce NOMIS (NOrmative Modelling of Information Systems), a novel humancentred approach to Information Systems (IS) modelling, that integrates insights from Organizational Semiotics, the Theory of Organized Activity, and Enterprise Ontology. NOMIS emphasizes the centrality of human observable actions and interactions in modelling and developing IS, grounded in the philosophical stance of Human Relativism. We present a comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundations of NOMIS and demonstrate its practical application through a case study. This case study highlights the differences between NOMIS and traditional business process modelling, showcasing the advantages of a human-centred approach in capturing real-world activities and interactions. The findings suggest that NOMIS provides a more accurate and effective framework for IS development, ensuring better alignment with organizational goals and user needs.
The development of Information Systems (IS) has traditionally been dominated by technical approaches that often overlook the inherently human aspects of these systems. As organizations increasingly rely on IS to support complex business processes, the limitations of these traditional methods have become more apparent. The failure to adequately address human factors in IS development has led to numerous issues, including user dissatisfaction, system inefficiencies, and project failures.
To address these challenges, this paper introduces NOMIS, a human-centred approach to IS development that integrates the strengths of Organizational Semiotics, the Theory of Organized Activity, and Enterprise
interactions, ensuring that IS are designed and developed with a deep understanding of the human elements involved and its context. By doing so, NOMIS aims to create systems that are not only technically robust but also socially and organizationally effective.
This paper is structured as follows: Chapter 2 reviews the existing literature on soft and socio-technical approaches to IS development. Chapter 3 discusses the socio-technical foundations of NOMIS, detailing its theoretical underpinnings. Chapter 4 presents the NOMIS approach in detail, highlighting its core concepts and modelling techniques. Chapter 5 illustrates the application of NOMIS through a case study on "Order Fulfilment and Procurement," comparing it with traditional business process modelling. Finally, Chapter 6 concludes the paper with a discussion on the implications of NOMIS for IS development and future research directions.
In this chapter, we delve into the existing literature on Information Systems (IS) development methodologies, focusing on soft and socio-technical approaches. We explore the evolution of these approaches, their underlying principles, and their limitations. This review provides a foundation for understanding the need for a new paradigm in IS development, setting the stage for the introduction of NOMIS in subsequent chapters.
In the field of Information Systems Development during the late 20th and early 21st centuries,
there was a common distinction between soft and hard approaches [
One of the pioneering soft approaches is ETHICS (Effective Technical and Human
Implementation of Computer-based Systems), developed by Enid Mumford [
Another significant soft approach is the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), developed by
Peter Checkland [
Several other soft approaches to ISD have emerged, each contributing unique perspectives
and methodologies. For example, [
The Interactionist approach, or social informatics, originated from the work of Rob
Kling and his colleagues [
The Professional Work Practice approach, pioneered by Lars Mathiassen and
colleagues [
The Scandinavian Trade Unionist approach emerged in some Scandinavian
countries where labour unions were powerful and involved in the design and
decisionmaking processes of computer systems. This approach integrates social and human
factors brought by users and unions into the design process, evolving into what is
known as 'cooperative design' described in [
The Speech-Act based approach views information systems from the perspective of
human communication. Grounded in the philosophy of language by John Searle [
Notably, many of the soft approaches described so far have their origins in Scandinavia [
There are many other soft approaches [
Building on the foundations laid by soft approaches, socio-technical systems theory further
integrates the social and technical dimensions of ISD. Socio-technical systems theory originated
from the pioneering work of the Tavistock Institute in the 1950s, particularly their research in
coal mining, which highlighted the need for joint optimization of social and technical systems
to improve organizational performance and employee satisfaction [
Central to the socio-technical perspective is the idea that information systems are inherently
socio-technical in nature, as they involve the interaction between people, technology, and the
wider organizational and social environment [
One such theory is Activity Theory, which originates from the work of Russian
psychologists in the 1920s and 1930s, notably Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934), see [
Yrjö Engeström, another key figure in the development of Activity Theory, expanded the
framework by introducing a more detailed structure of activities. In his model, Engeström
included three types of mediators: tools, rules, and the division of labour. These mediators
interact within a community context to influence the subject and the object of the activity. Tools
mediate the relationship between the subject and the object, rules mediate the relationship
between the subject and the community, and the division of labour mediates the relationship
between the community and the object. Engeström’s model provides a comprehensive view of
how various elements within an activity system interact and shape each other, offering a
valuable lens for analysing information systems [
Another significant perspective is the Language Action Perspective (LAP), which is grounded in the philosophy of language developed by John Austin and further expanded by John Searle. LAP focuses on how language is used to perform actions and create commitments, an essential element for understanding the communicative aspects of information systems. This approach emphasizes the role of communicative actions in organisational settings, aiming to design systems that facilitate effective communication and coordination.
LAP was developed as a response to the limitations of traditional information systems
approaches that primarily focused on data processing and technical functionalities, often
neglecting the importance of communication and social interactions. John Searle's Speech Act
Theory provided the foundation for LAP, asserting that language is not just a medium for
conveying information but also a means of performing actions. This perspective is crucial for
understanding how people use language to establish agreements, make promises, and
coordinate actions within an organization [
Fernando Flores and Terry Winograd further advanced LAP by applying it to the design of
information systems [
Organisational Semiotics (OS) is one more important perspective that helps understand
how signs and symbols are utilised within organisations to create, communicate, and interpret
information. [
Initially, OS had a formal orientation, as Stamper aimed to develop a formal technique of
information analysis based on rules that define operational meanings for use in ISD. The most
notable practical outcome was the LEGOL language [
OS is grounded in a radical subjectivist philosophical stance, positing that reality is socially
constructed by agents through their actions. According to this view, an agent accesses reality
only in the present, with the past and future accessible solely through signs. This concept of a
sign is borrowed from Semiotics, the foundational theory of OS. Building on this ontological
basis, OS proposes a set of methods known as the MEASUR methods [
Beyond Activity Theory, the Language Action Perspective and Organisational Semiotics,
several other socio-technical theories offer unique insights into information systems
development. Actor-Network Theory (ANT), for instance, explores the relational dynamics
within networks of human and non-human actors, highlighting the interconnected roles of
these actors in technological systems [
In conclusion, socio-technical systems theory provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and designing information systems that integrate both social and technical dimensions. While Activity Theory, the Language Action Perspective, and Organizational Semiotics offer detailed examinations of human activities, communication, and meaning, the broader spectrum of socio-technical theories, such as Actor-Network Theory, HumanComputer Interaction, and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, collectively contribute to a richer understanding of the complex interplay between technology and social context in ISD. These approaches collectively highlight the necessity of a holistic view that addresses the multifaceted nature of information systems, ensuring that both human and technological factors are effectively integrated into the design and implementation processes.
NOMIS is built upon a theoretical foundation that integrates different socio-technical perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to information systems development. This chapter delves into the three key theories underpinning NOMIS: Organizational Semiotics, the Theory of Organized Activity, and Enterprise Ontology/DEMO. These theories provide the necessary framework to understand and design information systems that align with both organizational goals and human activities.
Organizational Semiotics (OS) is a pivotal perspective in understanding how signs and symbols
are utilized within organizations to create, communicate, and interpret information. Developed
by Ronald Stamper and his colleagues [
OS perspective emphasizes the social nature of information systems, proposing that reality and knowledge are continually constructed and altered by human agents through their actions. This approach led to the introduction of several key concepts in Organizational Semiotics, such as social norms, information fields, social affordances, and ontological dependency.
One of the core concepts in OS is the notion of affordances, borrowed from Gibson's theory of
perception [
In OS, affordances represent the states of affairs within an organization that enable or
constrain certain behaviours. For instance, a pen affords the capability of writing, and a pen
with a piece of paper affords the ability to write a letter [
Furthermore, OS introduces the concept of ontological dependencies, which describe the relationships between affordances. An ontological dependency indicates that one affordance cannot exist without the presence of another. For instance, it is not possible to write a letter without simultaneously having both the affordance of a pen and the affordance of paper during the writing process. Losing either of these affordances would render writing impossible. These dependencies help in understanding the interconnected nature of organizational elements and ensure that the information systems designed are aligned with the real-world constraints and requirements of the organization.
In Organizational Semiotics (OS), norms play a crucial role in shaping organizational behaviour
and ensuring coherent communication. Norms are the rules and conventions that govern how
information is created, interpreted, and acted upon within an organization. These norms can be
formal, such as policies and procedures, or informal, such as cultural practices and social
expectations. Ronald Stamper emphasized that understanding these norms is essential for
designing information systems that are aligned with organizational realities and user needs
[
Information fields, a concept closely related to norms, refer to the contextual spaces within which these norms are applied. An information field encompasses all relevant data, processes, and the social norms that govern their use in a specific organizational context. For example, in a customer service department, the information field would include customer records, communication protocols, and the norms guiding employee interactions with customers.
Stamper’s OS introduces the MEASUR methods to analyse and design information systems by
focusing on these norms and information fields [
PAM (Problem Articulation Method) - Helps in defining and understanding the problem domain by identifying the relevant norms and information fields. 2. SAM (Semantic Analysis Method) - Focuses on analysing the semantics of the organizational terms and their relationships within the information fields. 3. NAM (Norm Analysis Method) - Involves analysing the norms to understand how they influence behaviour and information use within the organization.
By applying these methods, OS aims to create information systems that are not only technically robust but also socially and organizationally effective. This approach ensures that the systems align with both the technical requirements and the social realities of the organization, making them more stable and easier to maintain .
The Theory of Organized Activity, conceived and proposed by Anatol W. Holt in 1997 [
The fundamental elements of the Theory of Organized Activity (TOA) revolve around actions, bodies, and the concept of units. A key aspect of TOA is the Theory of Units, which posits that every organized activity consists of units that are identifiable by the community involved in that activity. These units can be actions or things, and they are characterized by specific criteria maintained by the community. For instance, in a programming community, the term 'inheritance' is considered a unit with a shared understanding among its members.
TOA emphasizes that every action involves an effort by human actors, who perform these actions both personally and organizationally. This dual performance means that actions are driven by the interests of the performers, encompassing both personal and organizational interests.
The central role of human action in TOA is illustrated through several dichotomies:
Actions and Bodies: Actions are efforts involving material things (bodies). Actions extend in time, while bodies extend in space.
Persons and Organizational Entities: Actions are performed by individuals (persons) and organizational entities (OEs), reflecting both personal and organizational responsibilities.
In the Theory of Organized Activity (TOA), actions can create, use, or destroy bodies, support the existence or improvement of bodies, and change the states of bodies. The concept of state in TOA is specific to bodies and is understood within particular domains of action.
According to TOA, information is used exclusively for making decisions that determine
subsequent actions. Information is carried by bodies and is context-dependent, varying with
different actors and contexts. This perspective on information is unique as it relates directly to
human decision-making, promising compatibility with Claude Shannon's measures and
explicating real-world operations on information.
3.2.3. Diplan
The Diplan language, described in [
Diplan diagrams offer a clear and comprehensive visualisation of the interconnected activities within an organisation. By mapping these relationships, Diplan helps to identify potential issues, optimise coordination, and ensure that the design of information systems aligns with organisational goals and realities. This approach enhances understanding and communication among stakeholders, contributing to the development of information systems that are both technically robust and socially relevant.
DEMO, initially known as Dynamic Essential MOdelling, is now an acronym for Design and
Engineering Methodology for Organizations [
DEMO employs a business transaction pattern comprising three phases: order, execution, and result. This pattern follows a basic request-promise-execute-accept sequence, with the order and result phases involving performative conversations that lead to changes in the social world. The execution phase entails objective actions fulfilling the commitments made in the preceding phases. This pattern underscores the distinction between communicative acts, occurring in the intersubjective world, and objective acts, taking place in the objective world.
As a major improvement and evolution of DEMO, there is a new theory—the Ψ-theory—that
provides the theoretical foundations of DEMO [
The Ψ-theory underpins Enterprise Ontology and DEMO, providing a theoretical foundation defined by four axioms and a theorem:
Operation Axiom: The operation of an enterprise consists of the activities of actor roles, fulfilled by subjects. These activities produce coordination acts (C-acts) and production acts (P-acts), resulting in coordination facts (C-facts) and production facts (P-facts).
Transaction Axiom: This axiom extends the basic transaction pattern by including cases where requests or acceptances are declined or rejected. It also defines a cancellation pattern for requests, promises, or statements, establishing a universal transaction pattern viewed as a socionomic law of organizations.
Composition Axiom: Transactions can enclose other transactions within a composite structure, and transactions can self-activate, automatically triggering requests without requiring an actor role.
Distinction Axiom: This axiom concerns the operation of actors divided according to three fundamental human abilities: performa (bringing about new things through communication), informa (content aspects of communication and information), and forma (form aspects of communication and information).
Organization Theorem: This theorem states that the organization of an enterprise is a heterogeneous system comprising three homogeneous subsystems: the business organization (B-organization), the intellect organization (I-organization), and the document organization (D-organization). These subsystems differ in their production aspects: B-organization focuses on ontological production, I-organization on infological production, and D-organization on datalogical production.
EO provides a structured methodology for developing enterprise models, starting with identifying business transactions and progressively detailing the model through various aspect models. These aspect models include the construction model (CM), process model (PM), action model (AM), and state model (SM). Each model focuses on different aspects of organizational knowledge and activities, using diagrams and textual descriptions to capture the intricacies of enterprise operations and support the creation of effective and sustainable information systems.
Chapter 4 provides an in-depth look at the NOMIS approach, detailing its theoretical foundations, its vision and its representation. We discuss the core concepts of NOMIS, including its focus on observable human actions, the integration of socio-technical perspectives, and the use of specific modelling techniques.
The development of NOMIS is grounded in a thorough analysis of the foundational
sociotechnical theories presented in the preceding chapter [
The three theories of Organisational Semiotics (OS), Theory of Activity (TOA), and Enterprise Ontology (EO), each consider human actions from distinct yet complementary perspectives. Responsibility is a central concept across these theories, with EO emphasising authority, TOA focusing on the interests of human performers, and EO highlighting the role of intentions. Each theory offers a unique viewpoint: EO concentrates on communication, TOA examines the effects and sequences of actions, and OS underscores the conditions necessary for actions, known as affordances. Additionally, TOA introduces the important concept of "units" - the fundamental elements within activities that are socially recognised and validated.
Context is another crucial aspect across the three theories. TOA uses activities to define context, the OS approach defines information fields, and EO employs an organisational or system context. Meaning and information are seen as contextually bound: OS utilises semiotic signs, TOA views information as essential for decision-making, while EO derives information from communicative acts. Despite these differing perspectives, they all acknowledge the fundamental significance of context in understanding and utilising information.
The role of technology is supportive across all three theories, though in different ways. In TOA, technology is employed to indirectly support human actions through computational means, with the focus primarily on the actions themselves rather than the technological tools. In contrast, OS integrates technology through norms and affordances, emphasising the necessary conditions for human actions. EO, on the other hand, views technology as facilitating communicative actions, highlighting its role in enabling effective communication and transactions within organisations. This shared perspective across the theories reinforces the idea that technology is integral but subordinate to human activities and social context.
The comparisons demonstrate that these theories are complementary and offer an opportunity to be used together to provide a holistic approach to information systems development (ISD). This integrated perspective serves as the starting point and inspiration for NOMIS. Table 1 summarizes the key concepts of OS, TOA, and EO, highlighting their complementarities and how they collectively inform the development of NOMIS.
Human Relativism (HR) emerges as a necessary philosophical stance for addressing the
complexities and intricacies involved in developing and modelling information systems [
One of the critical challenges in developing information systems is the need to effectively address human factors. Unlike conventional scientific methods that achieve precision through repeatability and empirical validation, information systems must contend with the unpredictability and variability introduced by human elements. Individual perceptions, interpretations, and experiences give rise to variability that cannot be easily mitigated using technical methods.
HR posits that reality is inherently human-related and closely tied to human observability and social construction. This perspective shifts the focus from a purely objectivist view to one that considers subjective interpretations and interactions. A core concept in HR is observability, which helps distinguish between perception (acknowledging external reality through senses) and interpretation (creating meaning from perceptions). This distinction is crucial for developing information systems that are both precise and human-centric.
HR Assertion: "Anything that is observable will be more consensual, precise and, therefore, more appropriate to be used by scientific methods."
Observable elements provide a stable and precise basis for modelling information systems. HR emphasizes the use of measurable and observable elements, which can be material or physical things existing independently of human interpretation. This approach aims to reduce ambiguities and enhance precision.
In practical terms,
HR Assertion: "By adopting observable elements or high-precision elements under a human relativistic view, it is possible to derive a scientifically and theoretically well-founded approach to IS."
HR advocates for using observable human actions as the central focus of information systems. This provides a concrete and measurable foundation, reducing ambiguity and variability from subjective interpretations. By grounding systems in observable actions, NOMIS enhances reliability and validity, ensuring systems are both technically sound and relevant to real-world human activities. This approach facilitates clearer communication, more accurate requirements gathering, and better alignment between system functionality and user needs.
The NOMIS Vision of Information Systems builds on the integration of core concepts from the
TOA, EO, and OS, centring around the concept of human observable action as the driving force
within information systems [
The Interaction View in NOMIS concentrates on the communicational aspect of human actions. It extends the Enterprise Ontology perspective, which models organisations as networks of communicative actions. While Enterprise Ontology utilises a single business transaction pattern, NOMIS permits a diversity of interaction patterns, potentially incorporating the richness of speech act types as described in Language Action Perspective. This view captures the core elements of organisational communication, specifying the actors involved, the nature of their interactions, and the communication channels employed.
The State View in NOMIS examines the environmental conditions and dependencies that enable and facilitate human actions, closely aligning with the principles of Organisational Semiotics. These conditions are termed Environmental States, akin to the concept of affordances in OS. An Environmental State represents a stable and observable state that enables and supports human actions. By focusing on these states and their dependencies, NOMIS ensures a stable and well-grounded foundation for modelling information systems, emphasising the contextual factors that underpin and sustain human activities.
The Physical View focuses on the material and observable aspects related to human actions, reflecting the principles of the Theory of Organized Activity (TOA). This view examines the relationships between actions and the physical elements involved, such as tools, instruments, and materials. It models business processes in terms of human actions, their sequence, and their physical context, adhering to expected behaviours regulated by norms.
The Information View integrates insights from HR and semiotics. It acknowledges that information, as an essential aspect of human actions, depends on material support and human interpretation. Semiotics, the study of signs and meaning, plays a crucial role here. By understanding how signs are used to represent information, this view identifies and models the information required, produced, and consumed by human actions. The Information View ensures that the relevant information is provided to support human actions, aligning with the semiotic principles that govern meaning-making processes in organizations.
Norms, inherited from OS, play a vital role in regulating human actions within NOMIS. They provide a framework for expected behaviours, ensuring that human actions align with organizational goals. Information Fields (IFs) represent systems of norms shared by a community, defining the common terminology and facilitating consistent communication and understanding within the organization.
NOMIS Models are a means of representing the NOMIS Vision, capturing key elements and their interrelations through tables and diagrams. These models function as specific languages that shape how the world is perceived, how plans are established, and how actions are undertaken. Each NOMIS view, can be represented using a set of appropriate diagrams, in Table 2, and tables, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate depiction of each view.
The essential elements represented in NOMIS Models include Human Actions, Actors,
Bodies, Information Items, Language Actions, and Environmental States. These elements and
their relationships form the NOMIS Metamodel, which provides the abstract syntax for the
modelling language [
NOMIS also employs a specific notation to facilitate clear communication and understanding. For example, Human Interaction Diagrams (HID) illustrate human actors and their key interactions, Action Sequence Diagrams (ASD) depict business processes, and Environmental Dependency Diagrams (EDD) show the conditions enabling actions. This structured approach allows for the effective modelling and implementation of information systems, aligning technical and human factors.
By integrating these detailed models, organizations can ensure that all aspects of the system
are considered, providing a robust framework for designing, developing, and implementing
information systems that effectively support organizational activities and human actions [
This chapter presents the NOMIS approach by contrasting it with traditional business process modelling through a simple case study, "Order Fulfilment and Procurement." The focus is on demonstrating how NOMIS models real-world activities, human actions, and interactions, providing clear points of connection to computer systems.
To illustrate the application of NOMIS and highlight its differences from traditional business
process modelling, we will use the "Order Fulfilment and Procurement" case study. This
example, extracted from the "BPMN 2.0 by Example" document by the OMG [
This order fulfilment process starts after receiving an order message and continues to check whether the ordered article is available. An available article is shipped to the customer, followed by financial settlement. In case the article is not available, the procurement sub-process is called to acquire the item.
Availability Check: The system checks if the ordered article is available in the inventory.
Shipping: If available, the article is shipped to the customer.
Financial Settlement: The process includes a collapsed sub-process for financial settlement.
Procurement: If the article is not available, the procurement sub-process is initiated.
The procurement sub-process includes attached events to handle spontaneous occurrences during execution. It distinguishes between interrupting and non-interrupting attached events. The procurement sub-process begins with checking the availability of the article at the supplier. If not deliverable, it throws an exception. If the delivery takes more than two days, an escalation event informs the top-level process about the delay. The order fulfilment process then continues with shipping the article and financial settlement after handling the escalation event.
Figure 2 presents the BPMN model for the order fulfilment process.
NOMIS offers a distinct perspective on business process modelling, centring on observable human actions. In contrast to traditional business models that prioritise system tasks, task ordering, and abstract representations, NOMIS models the real-world activities and interactions of people. In the context of any business process, NOMIS aims to capture the essential human activities, interactions, informational states, and information items that enable these actions.
In the "Order Fulfilment and Procurement" process, NOMIS focuses on identifying the observable human actions and activities as the core components. By concentrating on these observable human actions, NOMIS aims to provide a greater degree of precision, as supported by the principles of human relativism. For example, a sales representative receiving an order from a customer is an observable human action that initiates the entire process and represents a commitment to fulfilling the customer's request.
By identifying human actions, NOMIS allows us to assign responsibility and commitment, which are often implicit in traditional business models. A second example, the availability check, typically performed by inventory managers or warehouse staff, is an observable action that determines the next steps in the process. If the item is available, the process moves forward to shipping; if not, it triggers the procurement sub-process. This explicit representation of human actions helps in understanding who is responsible for each part of the process and what their intentions and commitments are. The decision process itself is not explicitly represented in NOMIS, as it is not an observable action, only the outcome of the availability check.
Each observable human action can evolve into an activity if it becomes more detailed or complex, capturing the progression and development of business processes. In the case of the procurement action and the financial settlement action, these can be considered activities that involve more than one actor and potentially additional actions. We can use separate diagrams to illustrate them. We can also refine an action as an interaction, as demonstrated with "inform customer."
In contrast to typical business processes that often follow a mandatory sequence of tasks, NOMIS recognises that human actions are influenced by behavioural norms and therefore involve a degree of uncertainty. As such, the transitions between human actions in a NOMIS model cannot be rigidly prescribed, as they depend on the unpredictable nature of human behaviour.
The contrast between the traditional business process model and the NOMIS Action Sequence Diagram presented in Figure 3 for this example emphasizes these distinctions. The BPMN diagram offers an abstract depiction of the process, whereas the NOMIS ASD accentuates the observable human actions and their sequences. This analysis does not address the procurement sub-process, as there is nothing worthwhile to add.
In NOMIS, environmental states define the conditions under which certain actions can take place. These environmental states establish the availability of actions. For example, the shipment of an item can only occur if the item is available in the inventory and an order has been received.
Environmental states in NOMIS not only establish the conditions for actions to be executed, but also clarify the dependencies between the states and the elements that each state relies upon. These states can apply to both informational elements, such as orders, and physical entities, like a person or an article. For example, the state "person {customer}" is defined by the physical presence of a person who has placed an order, along with additional information about their customer details. Similarly, an article in the state "article {available}" requires both the physical existence of the item and the associated information confirming its availability in the stock.
This changes the way we view action sequences in business processes. In fact, actions depend on states, as they are only available under certain conditions. Conversely, we may define different action sequences to reach the same states. From this perspective, relying on a specific business process is akin to relying on a volatile path, as we can define multiple paths to reach the same state. NOMIS contends that states are the most stable elements for modelling and developing information systems.
NOMIS uses environmental dependence diagrams to illustrate these relationships and dependencies. These diagrams highlight how stable states, such as the availability of an article or the reception of an order, enable specific actions. For instance, the state "article {available}" enables the action "ship article," while the state "order {received}" allows subsequent steps in the process, such as checking inventory and initiating shipment or procurement. The environmental dependency diagram of Figure 4 illustrates these dependencies and states, ensuring that all actions are contextually grounded and accurately represented.
Interactions between individuals are central to the NOMIS approach, as they represent the collaborative and communicative aspects of business processes. In the "Order Fulfilment and Procurement" process, these interactions are not explicitly addressed and must be inferred in this specific case. To begin with, the interaction between the sales representative and the customer during order reception sets the stage for the entire process. This initial interaction involves communication, negotiation, and agreement, all of which are essential when adopting the perspective of the Language Action Perspective.
NOMIS models these interactions explicitly, using human interaction diagrams to map out the communication pathways and the language actions involved. These diagrams show how information and requests flow between individuals, such as the sales representative communicating with the supplier to place an order or informing the customer about the order status. This explicit representation of interactions helps in understanding the collaborative nature of business processes and the dependencies between different roles.
Furthermore, NOMIS highlights the importance of language actions in these interactions. Language actions, such as requests, commitments, and acknowledgments, are integral to the successful completion of tasks. In the procurement process, for instance, the procurement manager must request quotes from suppliers, commit to purchasing items, and acknowledge receipt of goods. NOMIS also enables adding details on how the communication or interaction is performed and the available means for it.
The interaction diagram provides a simple representation of the interactions within the business process under analysis (see Figure 5). In addition to highlighting these interactions, it also allows for a more detailed examination of the underlying processes required to support them.
In implementing NOMIS, careful attention is given to the management and structure of information. Information items are fundamental to the functioning of the system, supporting various human actions and environmental states, and ensuring that all necessary data is readily available and accurately represented. In Table 3 are represented two possible information items from our case study.
NOMIS makes a clear distinction between informational states and observable states. Informational states refer to the conditions defined by the availability and accuracy of data, such as order information or inventory status. Observable states, on the other hand, are the physical manifestations or conditions that can be directly observed, such as an article being available or shipped. This distinction is crucial as it highlights the different types of dependencies and supports necessary for action execution within a business process.
By structuring information in this manner, NOMIS enhances the robustness of the business process model. The emphasis on informational aspects ensures that all actions are supported by the relevant data, improving the clarity and efficiency of the process model. This structured representation of information flows and dependencies is a key advantage of using NOMIS for business process modelling, as it helps in identifying and addressing potential information gaps that could hinder the execution of actions.
Customer Details - Client's name - Contact details - Address Article details - Article name - Description - Price
This case study serves as a simple example of the NOMIS modelling approach, demonstrating how it can effectively capture the essential aspects of business processes through observable human actions, environmental states, and informational aspects. By focusing on these elements, NOMIS provides a more accurate and human-centric representation of business processes compared to traditional BPMN models.
However, the potential of NOMIS extends far beyond this basic example. NOMIS can add more detail about the information systems from each view by employing additional diagrams. For instance, more detailed interaction diagrams can be used to map out complex communication pathways and language actions between various roles. Similarly, expanded environmental state diagrams can capture more nuanced dependencies and conditions, ensuring that all contextual factors are accurately represented.
Moreover, NOMIS can leverage comprehensive information connection diagrams to illustrate the intricate flow of data and how it supports the execution of actions. This ability to drill down into greater detail ensures that NOMIS is not only useful for high-level process modelling but also for in-depth analysis and development of robust information systems. By employing a variety of diagrams, NOMIS offers a versatile and detailed approach to business process modelling, making it a valuable tool for both analysts and developers.
Implementing information systems using the NOMIS approach involves focusing on human
observable actions as the foundation for defining system functionalities [
A key aspect of implementing systems with NOMIS is the platform architecture. The architecture is designed to separate technical aspects from human-related influences, ensuring that the system remains robust, precise, and adaptable. This separation allows for a clearer distinction between the functionalities driven by human actions and the underlying technical infrastructure, which supports these actions. As a result, the system can evolve and adapt to changing requirements without compromising its core functionalities.
Information storage in NOMIS-based systems is designed to be highly flexible and independent of the specific form in which it is stored. The schema is not fixed, allowing it to evolve over time as the system requirements and user needs change. This flexibility ensures that the system can accommodate new types of information and adapt to changes in the organizational environment without requiring extensive rework or redesign.
Temporal aspects are also taken into account in NOMIS implementations. The approach recognizes that actions and interactions occur within specific timeframes, and these temporal dimensions are integrated into the system design. This consideration allows for better planning, scheduling, and tracking of activities, ensuring that the system can respond effectively to timesensitive requirements and provide timely support to users.
This paper introduces NOMIS (NOrmative Modelling of Information Systems), a humancentered approach to Information Systems (IS) development that integrates insights from Organizational Semiotics, the Theory of Organized Activity, and Enterprise Ontology. By emphasizing the centrality of human observable actions, interactions, and states, grounded in the philosophical stance of Human Relativism, NOMIS ensures that developed systems closely align with real-world activities and user needs, enhancing their effectiveness and user satisfaction.
The analysis conducted in this paper, including a detailed case study, demonstrates the practical application and benefits of NOMIS. The case study highlights the significant differences between NOMIS and traditional business process modeling approaches, showcasing the advantages of a human-centered methodology in capturing and representing real-world activities and interactions accurately.
Looking forward, there is an ongoing project aimed at implementing NOMIS using a
modeldriven development approach [
Future research should continue to explore the application of NOMIS in various contexts, further refining its modeling techniques and validating its effectiveness. By advancing this approach, we can better capture the complexities of human activities and interactions, leading to the development of more successful and sustainable information systems.