Sebastian Bittmann

An argumentative approach of conceptual modelling and model validation through theory building

Conceptual modelling and theory building are tightly bundled together, since conceptual models are one way to express ones thoughts, assumptions, beliefs and convictions, respectively his theory referencing a domain. However, while theory building does account for a process of knowledge creation and the evolution of a theory, which is characterised by falsification and rebuttals, a conceptual model remains a vessel of expressing a current state of knowledge. A theory held in a persons mind might develop during gaining experiences and through discussions with others, usually held in natural language. A conceptual model, however, disregards these aspects of theory building. Therefore in this paper, we will introduce an approach of purposefully constructing and validating conceptual models by means of arguments. This approach will not just enable a validation of a conceptual model against the theory of the creator, but against all theories the respective stakeholders might have.

Enterprise Wikis and Enterprise Modelling Environments: An Integrative Framework for Purposefully Using Both

Enterprise wikis enable communication, consolidation and sharing of knowledge. Recently they have gained a wide acceptance. In contrast, enterprise modelling provides a holistic view on the enterprise from a managerial point of view. It focuses not on the knowledge and experience that have been obtained from the execution of operative processes by the employees, which are responsible for their execution. In this paper, we develop an integrative approach to combine these two fields. A framework will be proposed for the joint usage of enterprise wikis and enterprise modelling. The framework was applied in a case study. The results and experiences of applying the framework will be presented during the discussion of the case study.

Domain–specific reasoning for method engineering based on Toulmin's argumentation theory

Methods that address enterprise–wide representation and analysis must support the full range of stakeholder requirements from business strategy through to IT infrastructure. Often such methods present a formalism, such as process models, that are unrelated to the natural language used for justification, analysis and communication of designs. The problem to be solved is to provide a structured basis for closing this gap. This paper proposes an argumentative method engineering approach, derived from Toulmins argumentation model, for expressing design decisions, their associated convictions, and stakeholder negotiation. In addition to representing the support for design decisions, the approach justifies these claims by referring to already established knowledge. The argumentative approach enables the sophisticated management and reuse of knowledge during the development and extension of methods. The approach is evaluated using a case study, in which a software development method was outsourced to contractors.

A Language Oriented Extension to Toulmin’s Argumentation Model for Conceptual Modelling

The constructive step of modelling must account for the specific requirements of various stakeholders. Further, the quality of a model in terms of goodness-of-fit, completeness or other aspects may vary, because of future, as yet unknown, requirements. Natural language underpins the process of modelling as it is the predominant form through which models are acquired, negotiated and agreed. Whilst a model defines system requirements, it does not capture the assumptions, discussions and negotiations that led to the requirements. The ability to access this information, which is lost by most development processes, may significantly improve the utility of models with respect to changing requirements and system maintenance. This paper proposes a form of ‘literate modelling’ that can be used to capture the steps in model development and is based on Toulmin’s Argumentation model. The paper contributes the design of an argumentation modelling language and a set of rules for integrating multiple languages (or domains) with the Toulmin approach. The language and approach is applied to the domain of business process modelling.

Coordinating the Enterprise Modelling Effort by Means of an Entrepreneurial Goal Hierarchy

Enterprise modelling can be generally used as an approach for developing solutions for specific problems that are faced by an enterprise. However, managing such solutions is an extensive problem as it has to be ensured that a solution will be maintained and eventually excluded from the set of available and applied solutions. Additionally, it has to be ensured that enterprise modelling will be accordingly guided, as it is required to develop solutions that perfectly suit the company. Hence, there is a tremendous need for supporting the lifecycle of an enterprise model. In this paper an enterprise model will be regarded as any kind of model that supports the respective enterprise in achieving its business goals, regardless if it depicts a business process or the organisational structure. During this paper it will be shown, how goal modelling as a special type of an enterprise model can take a central role in supporting the modelling effort and its coordination. Furthermore the concept of an Entrepreneurial Goal Hierarchy will be introduced that will be used for coordinating the whole process of enterprise modelling executed in an enterprise.