Berman, Sonia and Semwayo, Thembinkosi Daniel (2007) A conceptual modeling methodology based on niches and granularity, Proceedings of Conceptual Modeling - ER 2007, November 2007, Auckland, New Zealand, LNCS, 4801, Springer.
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Abstract
This paper presents a methodology for conceptual modeling which is based on a new modeling primitive, the niche, and associated constructs granularity and reconciliation. A niche is an environment where entities interact for a specific purpose, playing specific roles, and according to the norms and constraints of that environment. Granularity refers to the relative level of power or influence of an entity within a niche. Reconciliation is a relationship from N entities onto one reconciled entity, and represents explicitly a situation where two or more different perspectives of the same entity have been reconciled, by negotiation, into a single consensus view. The methodology we propose provides a systematic method of designing conceptual models along with a process for normalising inappropriate relationships. Normalising is a prescriptive process for identifying and remedying inconsistencies within a model based on granularities. Drawing on a number of case studies, we show how niches and granularity make complexity easier to manage, highlight inaccuracies in a model, identify opportunities for achieving project goals, and reduce semantic heterogeneity.
| Item Type: | Conference paper |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | conceptual model, requirements elicitation |
| Subjects: | Information systems > Data management systems |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Nov 2007 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Oct 2019 15:34 |
| URI: | http://pubs.cs.uct.ac.za/id/eprint/444 |
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