Modularising the Complex Meta-Models in Enterprise Systems Using Conceptual Structures

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

2018

Self Cite

A business enterprise is more than its buildings, equipment or financial statements. Enterprise Architecture frameworks thus include a metamodel that attempts to bring together all the enterprise concepts including the visible entities into a unified conceptual structure. Using a case study based upon the institution of the authors, the effectiveness of this conceptual structure is explored in two fold. Firstly, a simple example using familiar concepts such as the physical location of the authors' institution. Secondly, a more detailed example that includes the key enterprise concepts that currently exist within that institution. The metamodel is stated in Conceptual Graphs then mapped from these graphs' triples into transitive Formal Concept binaries using the CGFCA software. Misalignments within the enterprise concepts discovered from the derived formal concepts are highlighted in both case examples, hence pointing towards the wider applicability of this approach. or financial statements. Enterprise Architecture frameworks thus include a metamodel that attempts to bring together all the enterprise concepts including the visible entities into a unified conceptual structure. Using a case study based upon the institution of the authors, the effectiveness of this conceptual structure is explored in two fold. Firstly, a simple example using familiar concepts such as the physical location of the authors' institution. Secondly, a more detailed example that includes the key enterprise concepts that currently exist within that institution. The metamodel is stated in Conceptual Graphs then mapped from these graphs' triples into transitive Formal Concept binaries using the CGFCA software. Misalignments within the enterprise concepts discovered from the derived formal concepts are highlighted in both case examples, hence pointing towards the wider applicability of this approach.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Enterprise Concepts to Formal Concepts: A University Case Study

Caine

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

2018

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“…The illustration (which supersedes previous work [4]) will be used to show how we can traverse through the layers and sub-layers, thinking and working simultaneously within and between domains through the decomposition and composition of the objects on all the levels. In so doing, we effortlessly integrate the right concept-i.e.…”

Section: An Illustrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure 4 shows the FCL (Formal Concept Lattice) for the Value sub-layer. It is the result of the CGtoFCA algorithm transforming the object→ relation → object triples in the CG of Figure 3 to object relation→ object binaries 4 . An example binary is Vision:v1V assigned to→Mission: m1V.…”

Section: The Business Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Manual inspection of the CG makes identifying these much harder, especially for the much more comprehensive meta-models encountered in practice than the simple illustration given in Table 1. And we haven't accounted for discovering and rectifying errors in drawing the CGs, such as the arrows in the CGs pointing in the wrong direction or mistyped concepts as simple examples from other work have demonstrated [1,4].…”

Section: The Business Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using Conceptual Structures in Enterprise Architecture to Develop a New Way of Thinking and Working for Organisations

Graph-Based Representation and Reasoning

2018

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Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a discipline that provides generic patterns that any organisation can reuse throughout its own business, informatics and technical components. However, EA's current way of thinking and working to achieve this aim is not standardised. EA thus continues to "reinvent the wheel" that causes mistakes or wastes resources on rediscovering what should already be known. We, therefore, represent the specific business, information and technology meta-models as patterns that can be fully reintegrated in one repeatable meta-model for the whole organisation. The outcome is a new agile way of thinking and working, highlighted by how EA works better in enterprise layers, sub-layers and levels of abstraction. To test the meta-models, two forms of Conceptual Structures known as Conceptual Graphs (CGs) and Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) are brought together through the CGtoFCA algorithm. The algorithm identifies how the layered metamodels can share meaning and truth and without having to recombine them into one large, unwieldy meta-model as the repeatable structure.

“…Previous work has indicated CGFCA's value in the business information systems modelling domain [15]. Based on an example from that work, a more comprehensive example is now presented from that real-world domain.…”

Section: A Realistic Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring, Reasoning with and Validating Directed Graphs by Applying Formal Concept Analysis to Conceptual Graphs

Andrews

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

2018

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Although tools exist to aid practitioners in the construction of directed graphs typified by Conceptual Graphs (CGs), it is still quite possible for them to draw the wrong model, mistakenly or otherwise. In larger or more complex CGs it is furthermore often difficult-without close inspection-to see clearly the key features of the model. This paper thereby presents a formal method, based on the exploitation of CGs as directed graphs and the application of Formal Concept Analysis (FCA). FCA elucidates key features of CGs such as pathways and dependencies, inputs and outputs, cycles, and joins. The practitioner is consequently empowered in exploring, reasoning with and validating their real-world models. Exploring, Reasoning with and Validating Directed Graphs by Applying Formal Concept Analysis to Conceptual Graphs