ORM 2006

Using ORM-Based models as a Foundation for a Data Quality Firewall in an Advanced Generation Data Warehouse

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:40:14 GMT

Presentation of a paper by Baba Piprani SICOM, Canada babap@attglobal.net

Abstract: Data warehouses typically represent data being integrated from multiple source systems. There are inherent data quality problems when data is being consolidated in terms of data semantics, master data integration, cross functional business rule conflicts, data cleansing, etc. This paper demonstrates how multiple Object-Role models were successfully used in establishing a data quality firewall architecture to define an Advanced Genration Data Warehouse. The ORM models realized the 100% principle in ISO TR9007 Report on Conceptual Schemas, and were translated into attribute-based models to generate SQL DBMS schemas. These were subsequently used in RDBMS code generation for a 100% automated implementation for the data quality firewall checks based on the described architecture. This same Data Quality Firewall approach has also been sucessfully used in implementing multiple web-based applications, characteristically yielding 35-40% savings in development cost.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 1148-1159 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Using Fact-Orientation for Instructional Design

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:37:42 GMT

Presentation by Peter Bollen (p.bollen@os.unimaas.nl) Department of Organization and Strategy, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Abstract: In this paper we will show how fact-orientation can be used as a knowledge structuring approach for verbalizable knowledge domains, e.g. knowledge that is contained in articles, text books and instruction manuals further referred to as "subject matter". This article will illlustrate the application of the fact-oriented approach as a subject matter structuring tool for a small part of the sub-domains of operations management and marketing within the university subject of business administration. We will also show that the fact-oriented modeling constructs allow us to structure knowledge on the first five levels of Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives and we will show how the fact-oriented approach complies to teh 4C/ID model for instructional design. Moreover, we will derive a "knowledge structure metrics" model that can be empirically estimated and that can be used to estimate the complexity metric of a subject mattter.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006 LNCS 4278, pp. 1231-1241 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Some Features of State Machines in ORM

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:35:14 GMT

Presentation by Tony Morgan (tony.morgan@neumont.edu) Neumont University, Utah, USA

Abstract: ORM provides an excellent approach for information modeling, but to date has been limited mainly to descriptions of static information structures. This paper provides an outline of how ORM could be extended to add behavioral descriptions through the use of state machines. Most of the discussion is illustrated by an example of how a simple model could be extended in this way. Some suggestions are given for an outline process for adding state machine descriptions to ORM models and the developments required to integrate such descriptions into a comprehensive modeling environment.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 1211-1220 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Part-whole Relations in Object-Role Models

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:33:44 GMT

Presentation by C Maria Keet (keet@inf.unibz.it): KRDB Research Centre, Faculty of Computer Science, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

Abstract: Representing parthood relations in ORM has received little attention, despite its added-value of the semantics at the conceptual level. We introduce a high-level taxonomy of types of meronymic and mereological relations, use it to construct a decision procedure to determine which type of part-whole role is applicable, and incrementally add mandatory and uniqueness constraints. This enables the conceptual modeller to develop models that are closer to the real-world subject domain semantics, hence improve quality of the software.

Paper published in: OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 118-11127 - Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

ORM 2006 Workshop introduction and agenda

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:30:50 GMT

These are the slides that Terry Halpin used to introduce the ORM 2006 workshop in Agia Napa , Cyprus - November 2006.

Contents include the agenda plus a few photographs from the event.

Modeling Dynamic Rules in ORM

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:21:38 GMT

Presentation of a paper by Herman Balsters (H.Balsters@rug.nl - University of Groningen, The Netherelands) Andy Carver (andy@neumont.edu) Terry Halpin (terry@neumont.edu) and Tony Morgan (tony.morgan@neumont.edu) Neumont University, Utah, USA

Abstract: This paper proposes an extension to the Object-Role Modeling approach to support formal declaration of dynamic rules. Dynamic rules differ from static rules by pertaining to properties of state transitions, rather than to the states themselves. In this paper, application of dynamic rules is restricted to so-called single-step transactions, with an old state (the input of the transaction) and a new state (the direct result of the transaction). Such restricted rules are easier to formulate (and enforce) than a constraint applying historically over all possible states. In our approach, dynamic rules specify an elementary transaction type indicating which kind of object or fact type is being added, deleted or updated, and (optionally) pre-conditions relevant to the transaction, followed by a condition stating the properties of the new state, including the relation between the new state and the old state. Thse dynamic rules are formulated in a syntax designed to be easily validated by non-technical domain experts.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 1201-1210 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heideleberg

Giving Meaning to Enterprise Architectures: Architecture Principles with ORM & ORC

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:19:54 GMT

Presentation of a paper by P. van Bommell, SJBA Hoppenbrouwers, HA (Erik) Proper, and Th. P. van der Weide {P.vanBommell, E.Proper, S. Hoppenbrouwers, Th.P.vanderWeide}@cs.ru.nl

Abstract: Formalization of architecture principles by means of ORM and Object-Role Calculus (ORC) is explored. After a discussion on reasons for formalizing such principles, and of the perceived relationship between principles and (business) rules, two exploratory example formalizations are presented and discussed. They concern architecture principles taken from The Open Group's Architecture Framework (TOGAF). It is argued that when using ORM and ORC for formal modeling of architecture principles, the underlying logical principles of the techniques may lead to better insight into the rational structure of the principles. Thus apart from achieving formalization, the quality of the principles as such can be improved.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp.1138-1147 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Fact-Oriented Modeling from a Programming Language Designer's Perspective

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:16:49 GMT

Presentation of a paper by Betsy Pepels (betsy@cs.ru.nl) Rinus Plasmeijer (rinus@cs.ru.nl) H A (Erik) Proper (E.Proper@cs.ru.nl) of Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Abstract: We investigate how achievements of programming languages research can be used for designing and extending fact-oriented modeling languages. Our core contribution is that we show how extending fact-oriented modeling languages with the single concept of algebraic data types leads to a natural and straightforward modeling of complex information structures like unnamed collection types and higher order types.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006 LNCS 4278, pp. 1170-1180 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Exploring Modelling Strategies in a Meta-modelling context.

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:15:24 GMT

Presentation of a paper by P. van Bommell, SJBA Hoppenbrouwers, HA (Erik) Proper, and Th. P. van der Weide {P.vanBommell, E.Proper, S. Hoppenbrouwers, Th.P.vanderWeide}@cs.ru.nl

Abstract: We are concerened with a core aspect of the processes of obtaining conceptual models. We view such processes as information gathering dialogues, in which strategies may be followed (possibly imposed) in order to achieve certain modelling goals. Many goals and strategies for modelling can be distinguished, but the current discussion concerns meta-model driven strategies, aiming to fulfil modeling goals or obligations that are the direct result of meta-model choices. (i.e. the chosen modelling language). We provide a rule-based conceptual framework for capturing strategies for modelling and give examples based on a simplified version of the Object-Role Modelling (ORM) meta-model. We discuss strategy rules directly related to this meta-model, and additional procedural rules. We indicate how the strategies may be used to dynamically set a modelling agenda. Finally we describe a generic conceptual structure for a strategy catalog.

Paper published in OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4728, pp. 1128-1137 - Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Evolution of a Dynamic Multidimensional Denormalization Meta Model using Object-Role Modeling

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:14:09 GMT

Presentation of a paper by Joe Hansen (Joe.Hansen@Guidant.com) and Necito dela Cruz (Necito.dela.Cruz@Guidant.com)

Abstract: At Guidant, a Boston Scientific Company, systems that collect data in support of medical device clinical research trials must be capable of collecting large, dynamic sets of attributes that are often reused in later research activities. Their resultant design, based on conceptual analysis using Object-Role modeling (ORM) transforms each unique business fact into an instance in a highly normalized star schema structure with relational dimensions. When it becomes necessary to generate focused denormalized reporting structures from this star schema, hereafter referred to as minature data marts or simply "minimarts", the dynamic nature of these source attributes can present a mantenance challenge. Using ORM, we propose a meta model that supports the definition, creation and population of these denormalized reporting structures sourced from a multidimensional fact table that also leverages a hierarchical taxonomic classification of the subject domain.

Paper available from: OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 1160-1169 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Capturing Modeling Processes - Towards the MoDial Modeling Laboratory

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:12:17 GMT

Presentation by SJBA (Stijn) Hoppenbrouwers (s.hoppenbrouwers@cs.ru.nl) L (Leonie) Lindeman and HA (Erik) Proper (E.Proper@cs.ru.nl) : Institute for Computing and Information Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Abstract: This paper is part of an ongoing research effort to better understand the process of conceptual modeling. As part of this effort, we are currently developing a modeling laboratory named MoDial (Modeling Dialogues). The main contribution of this paper is a conceptual meta-model of that part of MoDial which aims to capture the elicitation aspects of the modeling process used in creating a model, rather than the model as such. The curent meta-model is the result of a two-stage research process. The first stage involves theoretical input from literature and earlier results. The second stage is concerned with (modest) empirical validation in terms of interviews with modeling experts.

Paper available from OTM Workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 1242-1252 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Automated Verbalization for ORM2

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:10:45 GMT

Presentation of a paper by Terry Halpin (terry@neumont.edu) and Matthew Curland (Matthew.Curland@neumont.edu)

Abstract: In the analysis phase of information systems development, it is important to have the conceptual schema validated by the business domain expert to ensure that the schema accurately models the relevant aspects of the business domain. An effective way to facilitate this validation is to verbalize the schema in language that is both unabiguous and easily understood by the domain expert, who may be non-technical. Such verbalization has long been a major aspect of the Object-Role Modeling approach, and basic support for verbalization exists in some tools. Second generation ORM (ORM 2) significantly extends the expressibility of ORM models (e.g. deontic modalities, role value constraints, etc ) This paper discusses the automated support for verbalization of ORM 2 models provided by NORMA (Neumont ORM Architect), an open source software tool that facilitates entry, validation and mapping of ORM 2 models. NORMA supports verbalization petterns that go well beyond previous verbalization work. The verbalization for individual elements in the core ORM model is generated using an XSLT transform applied to an XML file that succinctly identifies different verbalization patterns and describes how phrases are combined to produce a readable verbalization. This paper discusses the XML patterns used to describe ORM constraints and the tightly coupled facilities that enable end-users to easily adapt the verbalization phrases to cater for different domain experts and native languages.

Paper available from OTM workshops 2006, LNCS 4278, pp. 1181-1190 Springer-Verlang Berlin Heidelberg