Towards interoperability of i* models using iStarML

Abstract

Goal-oriented and agent-oriented modelling provides an effective approach to the understanding of distributed information systems that need to operate in open, heterogeneous and evolving environments. Frameworks, firstly introduced more than ten years ago, have been extended along language variants, analysis methods and CASE tools, posing language semantics and tool interoperability issues. Among them, the i* framework is one the most widespread. We focus on i*-based modelling languages and tools and on the problem of supporting model exchange between them. In this paper, we introduce the i* interoperability problem and derive an XML interchange format, called iStarML, as a practical solution to this problem. We first discuss the main requirements for its definition, then we characterise the core concepts of i* and we detail the tags and options of the interchange format. We complete the presentation of iStarML showing some possible applications. Finally, a survey on the i* community perception about iStarML is included for assessment purposes.

Goal-Driven Adaptation of Service-Based Systems from Runtime Monitoring Data

“…i* domain models are encoded using iStarML, an XML-based interchange format allowing model exchange among existing tools for i* [9]. The models may be created using any i* editor that generates this format, we are currently using HiME [10].…”

Measurement-oriented comparison of multiple regulations with GRL

“…A mapping between those models based on this ontology and the IstarML [13] exchange format has been also defined. In this paper, the MM is described with a textual tabular format, but could also be presented in standard GORE graphical representation.…”

Specialization in i* Strategic Rationale Diagrams

“…sat(a', M')  iemainIEs(a'): sat(ie, M'), applying Definition 2 over a' [2]  iemainIEs(a): sat(ie, M), since ie s is not added as main IE [3]  sat(a, M), applying Definition 2 over a [4]  sat(b, M), applying the IH [5]  iemainIEs(b): sat(ie, M), applying Definition 2 over b [6]  iemainIEs(b): sat(ie, M'), since b is the same in M and M' [7]  sat(b, M'), applying Definition 2 over b CASE 2. Main IEs addition.…”

“…It is characterised by a core whose constructs, although subject of discussion in some details [2], are quite agreed by the community. A rough classification of the core distinguishes six main concepts: actors, intentional elements (IE), dependencies, boundaries, IE links and actor association links [3]. They can be used to build two types of diagrams: Strategic Dependency (SD) diagrams, composed by actors, dependencies and actor association links among them; and Strategic Rationale (SR) diagrams, that introduce IEs, with their respective links, inside actors' boundaries, and reallocate the dependencies from actors to IEs.…”