Designing an architecture description language for nontechnical actors and purposes (NOTE-ADL)

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-501
Author(s):  
Stefan Strohmeier ◽  
Felix Gross
Keyword(s):  
Design Science ◽  
Conceptual Modeling ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Software Architectures ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Description Language ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Architecture Description Language ◽  
Architecture Description

PurposeThe paper proposes the development of a graphical architecture description language (ADL) that allows a better understanding of software architectures for nontechnical actors and purposes and, beyond, can serve as a communication tool between domain experts and IT experts, for instance, in a software development process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper follows the methods and guidelines of design science research. By deriving characteristics and general requirements for ADLs from a research literature review and from industry standards, the paper provides a conceptual modeling approach for an ADL. The model design is based on typical requirements and suggestions derived from literature and related work. The application possibilities and advantages are then demonstrated with a usage scenario.FindingsThe paper elaborates a user-oriented ADL that makes software architecture comprehensible for stakeholders and end users. It provides a high level of abstraction and, thus, is not restricted to a particular domain. The paper also provides a corresponding modeling editor as well as an underlying catalogue with symbols and rules for the ADL.Research limitations/implicationsAs this is a conceptual study, the ADL has not been practically evaluated yet. Thus, the usefulness of this academic approach for the industry remains to be validated.Originality/valueThe elaborated ADL can serve as a language to visualize software architectures, particularly in the business domain, in a comprehensible manner. Still, it retains the structured character of ADLs to facilitate communication on an IT-near level. In including nontechnical actors, the approach broadens the overall application capabilities of ADLs.

Metamodeling the e-waste domain to support decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Herrera ◽  
Paola Lara ◽  
Mario Sánchez ◽  
Jorge Villalobos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Conceptual Modeling ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domain Experts ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
Is Design

PurposeThis paper proposes a conceptualization of the e-waste domain, formalized through a metamodel, to express complex e-waste realities in a simple manner. This also enables the transition from a structural model to a behavioral model to implement analysis techniques.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is design science research (DSR), a problem-solving paradigm which seeks to construct a working artifact and prove its relevance. The artifact, a metamodel for the e-waste domain, was constructed through an iterative manner and later analyzed to conclude its theoretical relevance and contributions in this domain. As part of the approach, the authors used supplementary techniques such as systematic literature review (SLR), conceptual modeling (CM) and system dynamics (SD).FindingsThe application in the e-waste domain of CM techniques such as metamodeling, model-to-model transformation and simulation is valuable for supporting decision-making, especially when combined with SD. The approach presented in this paper, the conceptual tools and different simulation techniques could also be applied in other complex domains to obtain similar results.Practical implicationsThe modeling method to apply simulation techniques is targeted toward the e-waste domain experts to understand, design, implement, measure and improve strategies and public policies.Originality/valueThe use of CM techniques to model and analyze structural and behavioral e-waste scenarios.

A design science-based case study of retail chain delivery operations and its implications

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shong-lee Ivan Su ◽  
Xuemei Fan ◽  
Yongyi Shou
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Route Planning ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Logistics

PurposeThe study aims to explore and develop a smart route planning system for the cross-docking delivery operations of a large supermarket chain using an action research (AR) approach and assessing through a design science research (DSR) lens.Design/methodology/approachThis study took a problem-solving AR (PAR) approach toward the delivery operational issue of the case firm. The research process has accorded with the solution incubation and the refinement phases defined by a DSR framework. An intervention-based research framework for DSR is developed to assess the validity of this study as a DSR research and derive mid-range theories.FindingsDramatic operational and financial improvements were achieved for the case firm. Significant and unintended environmental and social benefits were also found. A design proposition (DP) and several mid-range theories are proposed as an extension of AR research to DSR research.Research limitations/implicationsA problem-solving DSR research can be better assessed by the intervention-based DSR framework developed in this study. DSR studies should be encouraged for both practical and theoretical advancement purposes.Practical implicationsA challenging business problem-solving study can be tackled effectively through an industry/academic collaboration taking a PAR approach to deliver substantial values and organization transformational results.Social implicationsDrivers and store associates are safer with smart delivery operations in the case firm.Originality/valueThere are still limited PAR design science case studies in the supply chain/logistics research literature. The research experience and findings gained from this study provide more insights toward how this type of research can be conducted and assessed.

FIESTA: A GENERIC FRAMEWORK FOR INTEGRATING NEW FUNCTIONALITIES INTO SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 367-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUILLAUME WAIGNIER ◽  
ANNE-FRANÇOISE LE MEUR ◽  
LAURENCE DUCHIEN
Keyword(s):  
Software Architecture ◽  
Domain Analysis ◽  
Software Architectures ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Description Language ◽  
Integration Framework ◽  
Architecture Description Language ◽  
Architectural Elements ◽  
Generic Framework ◽  
Architecture Description

When an application must evolve to cope with new context and user requirements, integrating new functionalities into its software architecture is necessary. The architect has thus to manually modify the architecture description, which is often tedious and error prone. In this paper, we propose FIESTA, a generic framework for automatically integrating new functionalities into an architecture description. Our approach is inspired by TranSAT, an integration framework. However, TranSAT is dedicated to a specific architecture description language (ADL) while our approach is ADL-independent. We have performed a domain analysis, studying for many ADLs how to integrate new functionalities. Based on this analysis, we have defined a generic ADL model to manipulate and reason about architectural elements that are involved in integration. Furthermore, we have developed a generic integration engine.

scholarly journals The ALI Architecture Description Language

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 52-52
Author(s):  
Umaima Haider ◽  
John D. McGregor ◽  
Rabih Bashroush
Keyword(s):  
Description Language ◽  
Architecture Description Language ◽  
Architecture Description

A barrier diagnostic framework in process of digital transformation in higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayu Rima Aditya ◽  
Ridi Ferdiana ◽  
Sri Suning Kusumawardani
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systematic Understanding ◽  
Diagnostic Framework

PurposeExisting literature has reported a barrier list that could affect the implementation of digital transformation in higher education, yet the research question of how to identify barriers remained unanswered. Thus, this study intended to address this gap.Design/methodology/approachThe research design adopted a mixed-methods approach based on the problem-centered design science research (DSR) process model for the development and evaluation of framework.FindingsThis study proposed a systematic framework of three sets of components: (1) the initial set of barriers; (2) the barrier rating scheme and (3) the barrier scoring matrix. The three-component of the framework is to identify and prioritize barriers to the successful implementation of digital transformation in higher education.Research limitations/implicationsThe evaluation of the framework was only based on an expert opinion.Practical implicationsThis study provided a direction to the policymakers for designing sensible strategies to increase the chances of a successful digital transformation in higher education.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the knowledge body by offering a more systematic understanding of barriers to digital transformation in higher education.

Sales and operations planning for new products: a parallel process?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Bagni ◽  
Juliana Keiko Sagawa ◽  
Moacir Godinho Filho
Keyword(s):  
Design Science ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
New Products ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Operations Planning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demand Fulfillment ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Additional Costs ◽  
Update Frequency

PurposeThis paper aims to detail how a Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process can be designed to support the planning requirements of recently introduced products.Design/methodology/approachDesign science research was conducted to propose and implement an S&OP model for demand fulfillment after the introduction of new products. The results were analyzed using the CIMO (Context, Intervention, Mechanisms and Outcomes) logic, and two sets of design propositions were formulated.FindingsAn S&OP process for new products can reduce additional costs for market fulfillment by concentrating the planning efforts on new products, aligning organizational efforts, and increasing the sales and supply chain information’s update frequency.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcomes of S&OP new products were analyzed in a single organization and are limited to the contextual factors presented.Practical implicationsThis paper describes in detail how to organize an S&OP focused on new products. By considering the contextual factors and design propositions, managers can potentially increase the success of new products introduction (NPI) in their context.Originality/valueA specific S&OP process focused on new products is a viable solution and could co-exist with a traditional S&OP process. Moreover, we identified six contextual factors that influence the outcomes of the S&OP new products.

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