A Decade and More of UML: An Overview of UML Semantic and Structural Issues and UML Field Use

More than 10 years ago in 1997, three modeling advocates brought together their own distinct techniques to forge UML (Unified Modeling Language), and the world of modeling was forever changed (Booch, Rumbaugh, & Jacobson, 1999, 2005). The Object Management Group (OMG) immediately adopted the new language as the standard for their newly expanded object-oriented (OO) modeling scope (OMG, 2008), and the stage seemed set for a modeling explosion with UML leading the way into a brave new world of more accurate and better performing systems

Development of Personal Wellness Information Model for Pervasive Healthcare

Pervasive healthcare and citizen-centered care paradigm are moving the healthcare outside the hospital environment. Healthcare delivery is becoming more personalized and decentralized, focusing on prevention and proactive services with a complete view of health and wellbeing. The concept of wellness has been used to describe this holistic view of health, which focuses on physical, social, and mental well-being. Pervasive computing makes it possible to collect information and offer services anytime and anywhere. To support pervasive healthcare with wellness approaches, semantic interoperability is needed between all actors and information sources in the ecosystem. This study focuses on the domain of personal wellness and analyzes related concepts, relationships, and environments. As a result of this study, we have created an information model that focuses on the citizens' perspectives and conceptualizations of personal wellness. The model has been created based on empirical research conducted with focus groups

The Derivation of a pragmatic requirements framework for web development.

Web-based development is a relatively immature area of Software Engineering, producing often complex applications to many different types of end user and stakeholders. Web Engineering as a research area, was created to introduce processes that enable web based development to be repeatable and to avoid potential failure in the fast changing landscape that is the current ubiquitous Internet. A survey of existing perspectives from the literature highlights a number of points. Firstly, that web development has a number of subtle differences to Software Engineering and that many web development methods are not used. Further, that there has been little work done on what should be in a web development method. A full survey of 50 web development methods finds that they do not give enough detail to be used in their entirety; they are difficult for a non-computer scientist to understand in the techniques they use and most do not cover the lifecycle, particularly in the area of requirements, implementation and testing. This thesis introduces a requirements framework for novice web developers. It is created following an in-depth case study carried out over two years that investigates the use of web development methods by novice developers. The study finds that web development methods are not easy to understand, there is a lack of explanation as to how to use the techniques within the method and the language used is too complex. A high level method is derived with an iterative process and with the requirements phase in the form of a framework; it addresses the problems that are discussed and provides excellent support for a novice web developer in the requirements phase of the lifecycle. An evaluation of the method using a group of novice developers who reflect on the method and a group who use it for development finds that the method is both easy to understand and use

Relevance is in the Eye of the Beholder: Design Principles for the Extraction of Context-Aware Information

Since the1970s many approaches of representing domains have been suggested. Each approach maintains the assumption that the information about the objects represented in the Information System (IS) is specified and verified by domain experts and potential users. Yet, as more IS are developed to support a larger diversity of users such as customers, suppliers, and members of the general public (such as many multi-user online systems), analysts can no longer rely on a stable single group of people for complete specification of domains –to the extent that prior research has questioned the efficacy of conceptual modeling in these heterogeneous settings. We formulated principles for identifying basic classes in a domain. These classes can guide conceptual modeling, database design, and user interface development in a wide variety of traditional and emergent domains. Moreover, we used a case study of a large foster organization to study how unstructured data entry practices result in differences in how information is collected across organizational units. We used institutional theory to show how institutional elements enacted by individuals can generate new practices that can be adopted over time as best practices. We analyzed free-text notes to prioritize potential cases of psychotropic drug use—our tactical need. We showed that too much flexibility in how data can be entered into the system, results in different styles, which tend to be homogenous across organizational units but not across organizational units. Theories in Psychology help explain the implications of the level of specificity and the inferential utility of the text encoded in the unstructured note

A multi-level framework approach to improve organisational business process understanding within automotive manufacturing

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonBusiness processes are an integral part of today’s multinational corporations, allowing them to create best practice working models. Not only do business processes play an important role in defining working practices, they can also provide a basis for understanding and improvement. One key difficulty is to capture multiple aspects of a process. Capturing these allows an organisation to use these models for multiple purposes, such as learning while obtaining a high process maturity. There is not a single modelling technique that spans over multiple purposes. This research provides a critical overview of the literature of business process modelling to propose a multi-level framework (MLF). This framework aims to model a single crossfunctional process using multiple modelling techniques to address different organisational purposes and achieve a higher process maturity. Three modelling techniques were identified as appropriate to form part of such a framework: Rich Picture Diagrams (RPD), Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) and 4D ontologies. Design Science Research was used in three iterations to build the levels of the multi-level framework in an iterative and incremental design approach. The first two iterations used semistructured interviews to gather data, involve stakeholders and evaluate the models, whilst the third iteration proposes a method to develop and evaluate 4D ontologies. The created artefacts form the process overview (using RPD), application view (using BPMN) and semantic view (4D) levels for the final MLF of a cross-functional process. It addresses organisational purposes such as learning, process development and IT requirements, and covers maturity levels from process creation to optimisation. Involvement of stakeholders in the development and evaluation revealed high satisfaction with the provided views and increased their understanding of the process. Future work would further evaluate the overall framework and study the effects of full implementation within industry

The derivation of a pragmatic requirements framework for web development

Web-based development is a relatively immature area of Software Engineering, producing often complex applications to many different types of end user and stakeholders. Web Engineering as a research area, was created to introduce processes that enable web based development to be repeatable and to avoid potential failure in the fast changing landscape that is the current ubiquitous Internet. A survey of existing perspectives from the literature highlights a number of points. Firstly, that web development has a number of subtle differences to Software Engineering and that many web development methods are not used. Further, that there has been little work done on what should be in a web development method. A full survey of 50 web development methods finds that they do not give enough detail to be used in their entirety; they are difficult for a non-computer scientist to understand in the techniques they use and most do not cover the lifecycle, particularly in the area of requirements, implementation and testing. This thesis introduces a requirements framework for novice web developers. It is created following an in-depth case study carried out over two years that investigates the use of web development methods by novice developers. The study finds that web development methods are not easy to understand, there is a lack of explanation as to how to use the techniques within the method and the language used is too complex. A high level method is derived with an iterative process and with the requirements phase in the form of a framework; it addresses the problems that are discussed and provides excellent support for a novice web developer in the requirements phase of the lifecycle. An evaluation of the method using a group of novice developers who reflect on the method and a group who use it for development finds that the method is both easy to understand and use.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Are computerised profiling tools effective in support of AML procedures as required by MLROs and compliance officers in a banking sector context? An inquiry into determining effectiveness despite ambiguity.

This dissertation aims to contribute to the emerging field of automated behavioural profiling tools/technology (AMLPT) as applied to anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud detection. We research the effectiveness of the use of profiling technology within the context of compliance Organisations located in large and mediumsized retail and commercial banks within the City of London. The phenomena of profiling and money laundering are quite complex. Subsequently, their study encompasses several academic disciplines: language use, artificial intelligence, categorisation, and the managerial domains of organisational behaviour, networking, and innovation. Using an interpretivist approach, we examine the AMLPT artefact's effectiveness through the use of Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation (Dol) theory, utilising a pluralist methodology that encompasses two case studies for contextual understanding of the domain and survey-based field work. In furthering our understanding of innovation within organisations, we utilise Organisational Effectiveness (OE) theory to provide an analytical framework for the fieldwork and measurement methodology. The proliferation of AMLPT raises a variety of issues arguably more important than market share and technical functionality, particularly such issues as data privacy and the potential for the egregious use of personal or proprietary information (Schwartau 1994; Jennings and Fena 2000; Lyon 2003). Furthermore, what was once perceived as "normal" identity management, data security and data privacy practice may no longer be acceptable in the application of next generation AMLPT in risk-aversive, highly sensitive global financial contexts. Moreover, are the cost and Organisational demands inherent in deploying AMLPT proportionate to the desired result (Bisantz and Ockerman 2002; Vavpotic and Bajec 2009). In understanding the effectiveness of AMLPT, we look beyond the traditional methods of information systems evaluation, and draw on other IS reference disciplines such as IS success and user competence, along with a variety of Organisational effectiveness measures, and their applicability in further defining effectiveness through measures of innovativeness. Critically, we look to examine innovation in an Organisational context, rather than the more traditional domain of individual innovation, the core construct of Rogers' original (1962) work on diffusion