While modelling research typically concentrates on its more technical and formal aspects, this paper provides a case for what we coin natural modelling. Modelling has always been and will always remain a humanintensive activity. To be adopted at large, modelling technologies should be perceived as natural as possible. In order to characterise what natural means, this paper briefly provides an anthropological and historical perspective on modelling. Constituting per se a first contribution, this retrospective allows to exhibit fundamental modelling concepts, spanning across ages. By looking backwards to understand what was natural (in) modelling in the past, this paper aims to define some elements for what could what computer-assisted natural modelling could be in the future. More specifically, it is argued that (1) the need for compromises between flexibility and formality is rather natural than extreme, (2) languages are emergent by their very nature and continuously evolve, and (3) natural interaction with modelling technology should be provided to all stakeholders, as it strongly promotes stakeholders participation. Although these aspects took different forms in historical developments of technology, we argue that the principles are still relevant today, and that these should be considered in the future research. The paper ends with some simple illustrations, which help provide the insight on how computer-assisted natural modelling could look like in a possible future.

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International audienceWithin enterprise modelling, models are typically needed for a range of different purposes, ranging from vision and strategy development to computer-aided analyses. It is well known that model's content and form need to be adapted to its purpose. This typically concerns the tuning in terms of granularity, visualisation, precision and formality of the model, as well as in terms of the concepts/language in which the model is expressed. However, typical modelling tools lack such support. A number of empirical observations points at a lack in flexibility of tools and underlying modelling languages to aptly fit the needs of specific modelling situations. For instance, it is observed that fixed metamodels make it difficult to align the language with e.g. organisation-specific domains/concerns. This often leads to the different levels of discipline in which a fixed modelling language is obeyed to, or even the use of home-grown notations instead of fixed standard ones. Likewise, to compensate the lack of flexibility in dedicated modelling tools, classical drawing tools or paper are used as modelling support. Once models created this way transition to the more formal tasks, a lot of redundant work and increased effort is needed to ensure consistency and coherence among different enterprise models. As a result of an ongoing research, this paper discusses the need to adapt the models and modelling environments to specific modelling situations. In particular, we explore the concept of natural enterprise modelling, as a strategy for enabling the flexibility while also ensuring the coherence in modelling. We also sketch potential high level design of a flexible modelling infrastructure supporting natural enterprise modelling, and indicate some promising future research directions

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