Semantic Annotation for Process Models: - Department of Computer ...
Semantic Annotation for Process Models: - Department of Computer ...
Semantic Annotation for Process Models: - Department of Computer ...
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Chapter 2<br />
Problem Setting<br />
In this chapter, we establish basic concepts, theoretical and technical background and<br />
the context <strong>of</strong> this research work. Since we work in the in<strong>for</strong>mation modeling area,<br />
we start the study with theories and methodologies in in<strong>for</strong>mation system engineering<br />
discipline. Concepts, standards and relevant issues about semantic interoperability and<br />
semantic annotation are then discussed in this chapter. The research target – business<br />
process model and its application – business process knowledge management are also<br />
discussed concerning the context <strong>of</strong> the work.<br />
2.1 <strong>Models</strong> in In<strong>for</strong>mation System Engineering<br />
A model <strong>of</strong> a system is defined by OMG 1 as a description or specification <strong>of</strong> that system<br />
and its environment <strong>for</strong> certain purpose. In the conventional system development<br />
lifecycle, models are mainly used in system analysis and design phases and they are not<br />
reusable resources after a system is developed. In the modern methods <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
system development, models play an important role as reusable IS solutions.<br />
MDA 2 is an approach to system development, which increases the power <strong>of</strong> models<br />
in that work. MDA provides a means <strong>for</strong> using models to direct the course <strong>of</strong><br />
understanding, design, construction, deployment, operation, maintenance and modification<br />
[117]. MDA is initiated with the idea <strong>of</strong> separating specifications <strong>of</strong> the operation<br />
<strong>of</strong> a system from details <strong>of</strong> the way that system uses the capabilities <strong>of</strong> its plat<strong>for</strong>m.<br />
The three primary goals <strong>of</strong> MDA are portability, interoperability and reusability. The<br />
objective <strong>of</strong> MDA is to provide an open, vendor-neutral approach to the challenge <strong>of</strong><br />
business and technology change [123] by separating different concerns. Three different<br />
viewpoint models are distinguished as Computation Independent Model (CIM),<br />
Plat<strong>for</strong>m Independent Model (PIM) and Plat<strong>for</strong>m Specific Model (PSM) [117].<br />
• CIM — A computation independent model is a view <strong>of</strong> a system from the computation<br />
independent viewpoint. A CIM is sometimes called a domain model and a<br />
vocabulary that is familiar to the practitioners <strong>of</strong> the domain in question is used<br />
in its specification.<br />
1 Object Management Group, http://www.omg.org/<br />
2 Model Driven Architecture, http://www.omg.org/mda/<br />
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