Generic object models and business process (re)design.

This paper explores the capacities of generic object-relationship models in the context of business process modeling and business process re-engineering. The presentation is based on a framework for strategic business function typology. It is shown how generic models can be developed for each kind of business function within the typology. Business process re-engineering can be represented by transformations of business models, corresponding to shifts within the typology framework. Although the results of the paper are presented by means of one particular dialect of the object-relationship approach, the results remain valid for all object oriented approaches that make use of objects and relationships. This paper contributes to the further formalisation of business process modeling.Models; Model; Processes;

Formal Validation of Schema Clustering for Large Information Systems

To become usable for documentation and visualisation purposes, the conceptual schema of a large information system (IS) has to be clustered. [1] But most of the clustering , abstraction , or concentration rules proposed in [1]-[6] are substantiated only intuitively and have not been validated formally. As a consequence, the application of these rules to large IS schemata leads to inconsistencies (e.g. cyclic references), unnecessary loss of information (e.g. arbitrary object type subsets), and/or impractical results (e.g. combinatorical explosion). In this paper, the NF2 relational model [7] is used to validate the application of clustering operations to conceptual schemata. Based on this validation concept and a critical review of schema clustering literature, some validated, general clustering rules are presented. The schema clustering concept is extended to the clustering of textual documentations. To prove the concept\u27s feasibility, conceptual schemata and textual documentations of SAP\u27s R/3 modules Production Planning and Sales & Distribution have been clustere

A clustering algorithm to identify information subsystems

This paper presents an algorithm to cluster the entities and relationships identified by database designers into a set of internally cohesive subsystems. Our algorithm is based on the calculation of a distance score that is inversely related to the similarity of interactions of a pair of entities with the relationships in a binary entity-relationship matrix. Our algorithm avoids manual manipulation of rows and columns required by some of the available approaches (Feldman et al, 1986; Teorey, et al, 1989). It has been implemented on a PC, and does not require a super computer as the Wei and Gaither (1990) method does. Using a part-machine clustering problem presented by King (1980), we also show that our algorithm is superior to King\u27s rank order cluster algorithm which requires manual intervention to suppress exceptional entries before one can arrive at the final solution. Directions for further research are identified

Development of an historical landscape photography database to support landscape change analysis in the Northeast of Portugal

Repeat photography is an efficient, effective and useful method to identify trends of changes in the landscapes. It was used to illustrate long-term changes occurring in the landscapes. In the Northeast of Portugal, landscapes changes is currently driven mostly by agriculture abandonment and agriculture and energy policy. However, there is a need to monitoring changes in the region using a multitemporal and multiscale approach. This project aimed to establish an online repository of oblique digital photography from the region to be used to register the condition of the landscape as recorded in historical and contemporary photography over time as well as to support qualitative and quantitative assessment of change in the landscape using repeat photography techniques and methods. It involved the development of a relational database and a series of web-based services using PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor language, and the development of an interface, with Joomla, of pictures uploading and downloading by users. The repository will make possible to upload, store, search by location, theme, or date, display, and download pictures for Northeastern Portugal. The website service is devoted to help researchers to obtain quickly the photographs needed to apply RP through a developed search engine. It can be accessed at: http://esa.ipb.pt/digitalandscape/.A fotografia histórica é um método útil e eficiente para realizar estudos comparativos e evolutivos das alterações da paisagem e, em geral, da geografia. Tem sido amplamente usado para ilustrar as alterações mais importantes ocorridas cronologicamente nas paisagens. No Nordeste de Portugal, as alterações da paisagem devem-se, sobretudo, ao abandono da exploração agrícola que teve como consequência a florestação de novas áreas, bem como pelas construções para aproveitamento da energia hidráulica ou eólica. Em súmula, é evidente a necessidade de monitorizar as alterações da geografia da região usando uma abordagem multi-temporal e multi-escala. Este trabalho teve por objetivo principal a implementação de um repositório digital para registos fotográficos históricos da paisagem da região de Trás-os-Montes, com o intuito de disponibilizar serviços web que permitem o armazenamento e o acesso aos registos fotográficos históricos e contemporâneos das paisagens da região, permitindo assim uma análise quantitativa e qualitativa da evolução dessas paisagens. Em termos práticos, envolveu a criação de uma base de dados relacional e uma pletora de serviços web usando recursos de programação para a web, nomeadamente PHP e Javascript. Requereu igualmente a criação de um website para a centralização e disponibilização dos serviços, este foi elaborado com base em Joomla. Assim, disponibiliza-se à comunidade académica, e não só, um conjunto de serviços digitais para o estudo, com base em fotografia, das alterações na paisagem em Trás-os-Montes. O website pode ser acedido em http://esa.ipb.pt/digitalandscape/

Analyzing decision making in software design

A model is given for the analysis of rationality in design decision making. We define a formal means for answering the query, To what extent has a designer, on a particular occasion, using an explicit definition of 'good', decided rationally?A decision rationality classification scheme is proposed. This scheme incorporates non-compensatory decision analysis techniques (dominance and conjunctive cut-off) as well as compensatory techniques (simple and hierarchical additive weighting, linear assignment, concordance, and displaced ideal). A formal definition of design decision is derived by extending the Lehman, Stenning, Turski transformational model of the software design process. Their view of artifact specification mappings between linguistic systems is extended to include the concomitant effect of the mapping on resource expenditure.A formal specification for decision control knowledge is defined. This representation is the union of that knowledge required to support the various decision analysis techniques. Presumed to operationalize a designer's goals, the knowledge representation scheme includes five levels:1. Each objective expresses some relevant design concern for an artifact and/or resource characteristic.2. Each criterion expresses some relevant decomposition of a superior objective or criterion.3. Each attribute expresses the bottom-most decomposition for a superior criterion. Each attribute may have a weight indicating its relative contribution to its superior criterion.4. For each attribute, a value function expresses the designer's preference ordering over observed performance for an attribute.5. For each attribute, an observation channel describes an observer independent metric over some specification (either resource or artifact) rendered in some linguistic system and a procedure for application of that metric.Our model is applied to problems in Structured Design and conceptual data modeling. We argue that a comprehensive design history must include not only the transformations applied but also the rationale used in deciding their application. This rationale must include decision control knowledge governing both artifact (product) and resource (process) facets of design decision making. The principal contribution of this work is that the opacity of the decision intensive aspects of design are reduced thereby taking a necessary step for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of software development

STANDARDIZATION OF PROCESS SHEET INFORMATION TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED TRANSLATION OF ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS AND PRODUCT-PROCESS COUPLING

The design and manufacture of large scale systems, particularly automobiles, is a process that requires collaboration across multiple disciplines. This collaboration is facilitated through efficient and effective data and knowledge storage and transfer. Specifically, the data associated with the final assembly of the vehicle should be generated, organized, and distributed in such a manner that each user of the data is able to use it effectively. Furthermore, the structure for the assembly data should be robust and reliable such that it fosters consistency among various planners for multiple vehicle platforms that are assembled all around the world. This research aims to develop a centralized data structure for assembly planning information that will allow a global automotive production company to create, relate, and store the necessary information for the assembly of multiple vehicle platforms in various locations, performed by associates that speak multiple languages. This is achieved by first observing the existing business processes of the company and identifying which processes are crucial to the production of vehicles, which processes may be omitted, and what processes need to be added. A data model is developed around these processes that allows multiple users to interact with the data as applicable to his or her duties, and a user interface is developed to demonstrate these interactions. The prototype system is demonstrated and validated with respect to the requirements associated with the business processes that need to be accomplished and ease of use