objectives, obstacles and didactic...

Research Group Business Informatics and Enterprise

Modelling

ICB Institute for Computer Science and Business

Information Systems

Institut für Informatik und

Wirtschaftsinformatik (ICB)Teaching and Learning Conceptual Modelling (TLCM 2019)November 27th, 2019 - Luxembourg

Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

Objectives, Obstacles and Didactic Patterns

Ulrich Frank

© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

Personal Background

10

Software Engineering

Organisation Theory

Programming Languages

Artificial Intelligence

Modelling LanguagesEnterprise Modelling

Modelling Tools

Sociology

PsychologyPhilosophy of Science

https://www.umo.wiwi.uni-due.de/en/Enterprise Systems

to better understand a system, try to change it .. or study

what happens when it is changing

to get deeper insights, look a principle conflicts related to

essential system properties

study different subjects, from different perspectives and

search for commonalities – especially those that are not

obvious

reflect upon essential differences

focus on concepts

research benefits from teaching

recognition implies passion


Epistemological Guidelines

20

“Take your time.”

Wittgenstein

Digital transformation demands for conceptual models

need to model future information and action systems

to develop ideas about possible future worlds

to benefit from change instead of suffering from it

to get those stakeholders involved that are not familiar with

IT

need to promote reuse and flexibility through powerful

abstractions

need to empower uses

to better understand the software systems that more and

more constitute the world they work and live in

to provide them with models of software that enable them

to adapt software to changing needs© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

Exciting Times: Obvious Demand …

30

popular preconceptions

Software development needs to be quick – modelling is to

slow.

Modern software development follows agile methods –

modelling is not that important.

Requirements will change anyway – „embrace change“

instead of coping with it through expensive models that are

not satisfactory in the end

maybe still important, but no need for further research

Machine Learning makes conceptual modelling obsolete


… and Challenges

40

popular preconceptions

Software development needs to be quick – modelling is to

slow.

Modern software development follows agile methods –

modelling is not that important.

Requirements will change anyway – „embrace change“

instead of coping with it through expensive models that are

not satisfactory in the end

maybe still important, but no need for further research

Machine Learning makes conceptual modelling obsolete


… and Challenges

40"In industry, there’s no sign that knowledge

engineering will ever be able to compete with

machine learning outside of a few niche areas."

Pedro Domingos

"We’re only interested in knowledge about our

world, not about worlds that don’t exist.“

Pedro Domingos

“The End of Theory: The Data Deluge Makes the

Scientific Method Obsolete.”

Chris Anderson

Great opportunity for research and teaching!


Teaching Programm

50

• Data Modelling (ER)

• DFD

• State Charts

• OO Modelling

• Business Process

Modelling

• Enterprise Modelling

• Need for Multiple

Perspectives

• Modelling Methods

• Advanced OO

Modelling

• Meta-Modelling

• DSML Design

• Method Construction

• Enterprise Modelling

Methods

• Advanced Enterprise

Modelling with MEMO

• Alternative Approaches

• Multi-Level Modelling

• generating code from

models

• OMG: MDA

• DSML

• code generation from

enterprise models

Enterprise Modelling I Enterprise Modelling II

Model-Driven Software Dev.

Bachelor Master

Each lecture supplemented by

tutorial by practical exercises,

case studies etc.


Teaching Conceptual Modelling: Objectives

60

technical skills

model aesthetics

intuition

abstraction

creativity

abstraction

justification

domain analysis

(re-) construction

critical reflection

domain knowledge

ontology

epistemology

ambivalent role of

language

Art

Science

logic

Diffence between Bachelor and Master

Create figure with

LaTeX

Customers not

satisfied with web

pages

Data integration

insufficient

Customer interested

in using Blockchain

Search online for

examples and apply

them

Analyze reasons,

design new web pages

Select Method to

improve Data

Integration and apply it

Design of a Method to

analyze Benefits of

Distributed Ledger

Technologies

Problem Approach

Method Use

Method Construction

Ab

stra

cti

on

Ran

ge o

fco

vere

dP

rob

lem

s


70

A Learning Cycle


Motivation

Introduction of

Concepts

ExerciseBuild

Confidence

Challenge

Confidence

Reflection80

Interaction!

to avoid a principle misunderstanding:

conceptual modelling is a tool for designing databases or

software systems only

Conceptual modelling is something experienced

programmers can do without.

four principal approaches:

philosophical/epistemological background

anthropological considerations

the role of models for software construction

- common design goals

- frequent problems

the role of models for mastering the digital transformation


The Need for Motivation

90

to avoid a principle misunderstanding:

conceptual modelling is a tool for designing databases or

software systems only

Conceptual modelling is something experienced

programmers can do without.

four principal approaches:

philosophical/epistemological background

anthropological considerations

the role of models for software construction

- common design goals

- frequent problems

the role of models for mastering the digital transformation


The Need for Motivation

90"But besides intuition there is no other kind of cognition than

through concepts."

Immanuel Kant

“In science, as in much of art, human knowledge is achieved by

means of representation. By contrast with nonhuman animals,

human beings create the means of their own cognition.“

Marx W. Wartofsky

“Through models we take the reality of the past and the

possibilities of the future into the present.”

Bernd Mahr (translated from German)

"Computer scientists, on the other hand, must create abstractions

of real-world problems that can be understood by computer

users and, at the same time, that can be represented and

manipulated inside a computer.”

Alfred V. Aho; Jeffrey D. Ullmann

Foundations: Philosophical Ontologies

Bunge, M.: Treatise on Basic Philosophy. Vol. 3, 4:

Ontology I + II. Reidel: Dordrecht 1974/77

(An Attribute may

represent one or more

Properties.)

Coupling of Things

Classes of ThingsThings

Properties of Things

Attributes of Things

History

Laws and Lawful States

„The furniture of the world“ (Bunge)Basic Concepts:100


class Customer {

String firstName;

String lastName;

String phone;

String email;

Float revenues;

}

...

Programming Language

„An order includes

positions…“

„We need to know the

last name, first name,

and revenues of a

customer…“

Domain of Discourse

Information Systemcorresponds

Customer

firstName: String

lastName: String

phone: String

email: String

revenues: Real

Conceptual ModelOrder

... Product

...

Class

Data Type

Attribute

Common elementary concepts

(Modelling language)

rep

rese

nts

represents

Illustration of General-Purpose Modelling Language


through

through

110

Examples of Modelling Guidelines (Data Modelling)

Distinction of Entity Types and Attributes

A domain aspect should be modelled as an entity type, if its

instances have an identity of their own.

No Representation of Derivable Data

Die Datentypen von Attributen sollten so gewählt werden, dass

unsinnige Werte weitgehend ausgeschlossen sind.

Handle Circles with Caution

If possible, circles should be avoided, since they are likely a threat

to integrity.

120


Subtle Ambiguities of Natural Language


130

title: Stringyear: Integerprice: Float

Book

firstName: StringlastName: Integernationality: String

Author

id: string

ShelfstoredAt

0,* 1,1

wrote

1,*1,*

Relationship between Model and Domain

Model DomainAbstraction of

140


Is this an appropriate illustration?


A “Thing”

150

Lakoff, G. (1990). Women, fire and dangerous things: What

categories reveal about the mind. Univ. of Chicago Press.

Multiple Abstraction

Model

Domain

Domain of

Discourse

Abstraction of

Ab

stra

ctio

no

f

160


Re-Construction

Counter-Intutive Semantics of Modelling Languages

© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual ModellingWould you expect any problems here?

academicTitle: String

Lecturer

matricNo: String

Student

preferredLang: String

Programmer

employeeID: String

Employee

firstName: StringlastName: String

Person

getFirstName(): StringsetFirstName(n: String)

...

...

...

...

...

170

0,*1,1Class Object

instance of

Metamodel:

Example: DSML vs. GML


180

Illustration of DSML


„A stock information

service should offer…“

„Sales department is in

charge of the order

management

process...“

Domain of Discourse

<wsdl:operation

name=“check_availability“>

<wsdl:portType name=“StockInfo“>

...

Conceptual Model

BusinessProcess

Service

OrganisationalUnit

rep

rese

nts

through

Common domain-specific

concepts (DSML)

represents

Implementation Language

(DSL)

corresponds

thro

ug

h

Stockinfo

190

Multi-Perspective Enterprise Modelling

Order Management Product B

<Sales>

Order Management

Product C

<Sales>

Technical Support

<IT Service>

Customer Akquisition

<Sales>

Complaint Handling Product

A

<Customer Service>


B

<Customer Service>


C

<Customer Service>

Order Management Product A

<Sales>

Sun SPARC

UNIX HP UX

BL: SAP PLM

SAP CO P10 6.0

SAP FI P10 6.0

SAP R&D P20

SAP

Clu

ster OS

DB: ADDS

Scan Engine 5.1

Document Archive

2.0

Dell Power Edge T110

UNIX HP UX

DMS 1.9

PLM 3.7

Un

ix H

P S

erve

r OS

ABAP x

MW: SAP Netweaver

MW: SAP ERC ECC

SAP

Ap

plic

atio

n

Serv

er

issues1,1

sum() : Decimaltotal() : Decimal

created: Dateno: String

Order

custID: String

Customer

name: Stringid: StringinStock: IntegersalesPrice: MoneyretailPrice: Money

Product

sum() : Decimal

units: Integer

OrderItem

total() : Decimal

issued: Date

Invoice

balance() : Decimal

id: String

Account

created: Dateamount: Decimal

AccountEntry

name: String

Organisation

street: Stringcity: Stringcountry: String

Address

sum() : Decimal

units: Integer

InvoiceItem

0,*

acts asacts as0,1

0,1

0,10,1

loca

ted

at

loca

ted

at 0,*

1,1

1,1

refe

rs t

o 0,*

1,1

age() : Integer

lastName: StringfirstName: Stringborn: Datesex: Gender

Person 1,*

1,1

incl

ud

es

incl

ud

es

1,*

1,1

0,10,*

resu

lts

in

0,*

0,*

0,*1,1

Order recieved

< Agent >

Check Delivery Capacity

amount not available

amount available

< Agent >

Inform Customer

< Fleet Manager >

Check Logistics

Order declined

Delivery possible

Delivery at desired date not possible

< Agent >

Confirm Order

< Agent >

Decline Order

Board of Directors

Marketing Finance Accounting Sales

Market Research

Asset Management

SystemsPrivate

Customers

Product Planning

Corporate Credits

ControllingCorporate Customers

PromotionInvestor Relations

Decisions Support

Sales Forecast

InboundLogistics Operations

Outbound Logistics

Marketing Sales

ServicesVision

and

strategy

"To achieve

our vision,

how should we

appear to our

costumers?"

"To succed,

financially,

how should we

appear to our

shareholders?"

"To achieve

our vision,

how will we

sustain our

ability to

change and

improve?"

"To satisfy our

shareholders

and customers,

what business

processes must

we excel at?"

Financial

Customer

Learning and Growth

Ob

jective

s

Me

asu

res

Ta

rge

ts

Initia

tive

s

Ob

jective

s

Ob

jective

sO

bje

ctive

s

Me

asu

res

Me

asu

res

Me

asu

res

Ta

rge

tsT

arg

ets

Ta

rge

ts

Initia

tive

s

Initia

tive

s

Initia

tive

s

Internal business process

Oracle

DBS 1 DBS 3

IT Center Austin

Customer Data

Service

Security RequirementRestricted physical access to server

Measure RFID tags authentication

Security Type Physical Security

IT Landscape

Security Requirement Secure storage of data

Implementation

Encryption Type

...

Cipher based

Security Type Data Encryption

Security RequirementSecure communication with Service

Implementation

Encryption Type

...

Protocol based

Security Type Transport Encryption

Oracle

DBS 1

IT Center Austin

Customer Data

ServiceCustomer Rating(external)

Service

requires

Internet

Firewall

Purchase Costs 5.000 €

Annual License Costs 25.000 € History

Avg/Min/Max 4.4 / 2.3 / 8.1

Attack attempts

External condition

Goal of IT resource

Regulation 27001 ...

Realises goal of ...

Rationale for investment Firewall had been bought because ...

Associated risks By using the firewall, we ...

RFID tags

protects

RW - -Permission

Value Chain Diagram

Business Process Map

Goal Model

IT Resource Diagram

Business Process Diagram

Object Model

Organisational Chart

Balanced Score Card

IT Security Diagram© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

200

What are appropriate perspectives?

Problem 1: Distinction of Language and Model?


210

Document

Invoice

Business Process

ProductGoal

Intention

Procurement Process

Organisational Unit

Department

Employee

ProjectERP System

Risk

CEO

Marketing

DepartmentApplication

System

Paradigm requires distinction, but how?

Language concept or language application?

Problem 2: Range vs. Productivity of Reuse


220

Level of Semantics

Potential Productivity Gain

Scale of Reuse

Class Product Printer

Conflict can hardly be relaxed!

Multi-Level Modelling to the Rescue?


230

Multi-Level Modelling to the Rescue?


230

How to separate levels?

Can levels be contingent?

essential for designing, using and maintaining information

systems

based on reconstructions of domain-specific language

games and the constraints imposed by implementation

languages

pivotal for achieving reuse and integration

growing penetration of the world with IS -> growing

relevance of conceptual models as foundation of possible

future worlds

Challenge: reframing of existing worldviews


The Role of Conceptual Models

240

essential for designing, using and maintaining information

systems

based on reconstructions of domain-specific language

games and the constraints imposed by implementation

languages

pivotal for achieving reuse and integration

growing penetration of the world with IS -> growing

relevance of conceptual models as foundation of possible

future worlds

Challenge: reframing of existing worldviews


The Role of Conceptual Models

240 “To reframe, then, means to change the conceptual and/or

emotional setting or viewpoint in relation to which a situation is

experienced and to place it in another frame which fits the “facts” of

the same concrete situation equally well or even better, and thereby

changes its entire meaning.”

Watzlawick, Weakland, Fish

Am I using the right language/method?

"All formation of new concepts, all change in concepts, involves

discovery of the world— that is, the development of a new way of

looking at the world (reflected in statements about the way the

world is) which may be more or less borne out as time goes on.

Every theory of formation of new concepts is also about discovering

the way the world is.”

Donald Schön

Emphasize a rational perspective – definitely important.

but not sufficient to serve as a meaningful orientation for

change

Narratives as a supplementary offer

address symbolic action that is not covered by (formal)

models

contribute to making sense of possible future worlds and,

hence, to evaluating them

serve as a correlative to pure engineering perspective, i.e. a

mechanistic world view

used in practice anyway

„user stories“

narratives as part of organisational memory ..© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

Conceptual Models are not Enough!

250

Emphasize a rational perspective – definitely important.

but not sufficient to serve as a meaningful orientation for

change

Narratives as a supplementary offer

address symbolic action that is not covered by (formal)

models

contribute to making sense of possible future worlds and,

hence, to evaluating them

serve as a correlative to pure engineering perspective, i.e. a

mechanistic world view

used in practice anyway

„user stories“

narratives as part of organisational memory ..© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

Conceptual Models are not Enough!

250

“The only true voyage, the only bath in the Fountain

of Youth, would be not to visit strange lands but to

possess other eyes, to see the universe through the

eyes of another, of a hundred others, to see the

hundred universes that each of them sees, that each

of them is; ...”

Marcel Proust

Conceptual modelling is – and will be - an exciting subject.

to understand and appreciate its potential, is is essential to

guide students with the development of models

encourage students so develop a critical/skeptical view

to point at conflicts and contradictions

Epistemological and linguistic problems of conceptual

modelling are suited to attract the bright students – and to

offend the others.

We know too little about how the majority of our students

perceives our teaching – and how we could improve it.

There are serious doubts about the effectiveness of traditional

forms of teaching at universities.

We should be open for experiments in teaching.© Ulrich Frank | Teaching the Art and Science of Conceptual Modelling

Instead of Conclusions

260

objectives, obstacles and didactic...

Documents