Books

1. M.-E. Iacob, H. Jonkers, M.M. Lankhorst, and H.A. Proper. ArchiMate 1.0 Specification. The Open Group, 2009. ISBN-13: 9789087535025

   This document is the Technical Standard for the ArchiMate 1.0 Specification. It has been developed (and approved) under the auspices of The Open Group.

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2. R.J. Wieringa, P. van Eck, C. Steghuis, and H.A. Proper. Competences of IT Architects. Academic Service - SDU, The Hague, Netherlands, 2008. ISBN-13: 9789012580878

   The field of architecture in the digital world uses a plethora of terms to refer to different kinds of architects, and recognizes a confusing variety of competences that these architects are required to have. Different service providers use different terms for similar architects and even if they use the same term, they may mean something different. This makes it hard for customers to know what competences an architect can be expected to have. This book combines competence profiles of the NGI Platform for ICT Professionals, The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), as well as a number of Dutch IT service providers in a comprehensive framework. Using this framework, the book shows that notwithstanding a large variety in terminology, there is convergence towards a common set of competence profiles. In other words, when looking beyond terminological differences by using the framework, one sees that organizations recognize similar types of architects, and that similar architects in different organizations have similar competence profiles. The framework presented in this book thus provides an instrument to position architecture services as offered by IT service providers and as used by their customers. The framework and the competence profiles presented in this book are the main results of special interest group "Professionalisation" of the Netherlands Architecture Forum for the Digital World (NAF). Members of this group, as well as students of the universities of Twente and Nijmegen have contributed to the research on which this book is based.

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3. M. Op 't Land, H.A. Proper, M. Waage, J. Cloo, and C. Steghuis. Enterprise Architecture - Creating Value by Informed Governance. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2008. ISBN-13: 9783540852315

   Twenty years after the first publications and books on enterprise architecture, the domain is evolving from a technology-driven towards a more business-driven approach, thus empowering decision makers to adapt and transform an enterprise in order to keep up with changing business needs. At the same time the discipline of enterprise architecting has matured, leading to a better understanding of the profession of an enterprise architect. With this book, the authors aim to provide an overview of enterprise architecture including the process of creating, applying and maintaining it, thus taking into account the perspectives of CxOs, business managers, enterprise architects, solution architects, designers and engineers. They explore the results that are produced as part of an enterprise architecture, the process by which these are produced, and the role the architect plays in this process. As such, they do not describe a specific method for developing an enterprise (IT) architecture, nor do they define a specific modeling language for enterprise architecture, rather they offer the reader a fundamental way of thinking about enterprise architecture, which will enable him to select and apply the right approach, architecture framework and tools that meet the objective and context of the architecture work at hand. This approach is emphasized by discussion statements at the end of each chapter, sparking thoughts about benefits, shortcomings, and future research directions. Covering both theoretical foundations and practical use, and written in close collaboration between industry professionals and academic lecturers, Enterprise Architecture thus offers an ideal introduction for students in areas like business information systems or management science, as well as guidance and background for professionals seeking a more thorough understanding of their field of work.

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4. H.A. Proper. Informatiekunde; Exacte vaagheid. Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, November 2003. In Dutch. ISBN-10: 9090172866

   Computers dringen door tot elke uithoek van de samenleving. Maar zit de gebruiker daar wel op te wachten? De miniaturisering, de toenemende interconnectiviteit en de dalende prijs van de rekenkracht, bieden legio mogelijkheden voor nieuwe toepassingen van gecomputeriseerde informatieverwerking. Dat betekent ook dat computers een toenemende invloed zullen hebben op de manier waarop we met zijn allen leven en werken. Hoogleraar Informatiekunde Erik Proper van de KU Nijmegen vindt dat voor de introductie van elke nieuwe vinding de kritische vraag gesteld moet worden of het een nuttige of wenselijke toevoeging is voor de samenleving. De informatiekunde is een vrij nieuw wetenschapsgebied dat er voor moet waken dat de digitalisering in goede banen wordt geleid. Informatiekundigen zijn als het ware de vormgevers, architecten en planologen van het digitale tijdperk. Professor Proper geeft in zijn oratie op maandag 10 november inzicht in een aantal nieuwe ontwikkelingen.

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5. H.A. Proper. ISP for Large-scale Migrations. Information Services Procurement Library. ten Hagen & Stam, Den Haag, The Netherlands, 2001. ISBN-10: 9076304882

   This book aims to provide insight into the procurement of projects dealing with large-scale migrations. Chapter 1 defines the scope of this book more precisely, by defining what is meant by a 'large-scale migration'. An overview of the acquisition process for large-scale migrations is provided in chapter 2. The ensuing four chapters home in on specific aspects of the acquisition process. In chapter 3 we focus on the description of the initial and final states of projects. Chapter 4 is concerned with risk analysis in a migration context. It bases itself on an analysis of the factors that characterise the current situation, potential risks associated to this situation and factors, as well as their probability and impact. Mitigation of these risks in terms of actions and project strategies is discussed in chapter 5. Finally, chapter 6 is concerned with the identification of decision points to re-evaluate the progress of migration projects, the status of risks, and their mitigation.

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6. H.A. Proper. A Theory for Conceptual Modelling of Evolving Application Domains. PhD thesis, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 1994. ISBN-10: 909006849X

   Nowadays, the financial prosperity of an organisation depends increasingly on its ability to change. Flexibility allows an organisation to be more competitive in the global market, thus improving its chances of survival. This means that organisations must be able to adapt quickly to producing new or different products, changes in the primary process of an organisation that result from ever higher and changing consumer needs. Flexible behaviour of organisations leads to rapidly changing, any information system supporting such needs must also be highly flexible. In this thesis, we first develop a general (modelling technique independent) theory for evolving information systems. Then we apply this theory to existing modelling techniques, thus providing a quality check on the general theory.

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Editted books

1. H.A. Proper, A.F. Harmsen, and J.L.G. Dietz, editors. Advances in Enterprise Engineering II - Proceedings of the First NAF Academy Working Conference on Practice-Driven Research on Enterprise Transformations, PRET 2009, held at CAiSE 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2009, volume 28 of Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing. Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 2009. ISBN-13 9783642018589
   
   
2. T.A. Halpin, J. Krogstie, S. Nurcan, H.A. Proper, R. Schmidt, P. Soffer, and R. Ukor, editors. Enterpise, Business-Process and Information Systems Modeling - 10th International Workshop, BPMDS 2009 and 14th International Conference, EMMSAD 2009, held at CAiSE 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2009, volume 29 of Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2009. ISBN-13 9783642018619

   The field of information systems analysis and design includes numerous information modeling methods and notations (e.g. ER, ORM, UML, DFDs, Petri Nets), that are typically evolving. Even with some attempts to standardize (e.g. UML for object-oriented design), new modeling methods are constantly being introduced, many of which differ only marginally from existing approaches. These ongoing changes sig-nificantly impact the way information systems are analyzed and designed in practice. This workshop focuses on exploring, evaluating, and enhancing current informa-tion modeling methods and methodologies. Though the need for such studies is well recognized, there is a paucity of such research in the literature. The objective of EMMSAD'05 is to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners interested in modeling methods in systems analysis and design to meet, and exchange research ideas and results. EMMSAD'05 is the tenth in a very successful series of EMMSAD workshops, previously held in Crete, Barcelona, Pisa, Heidelberg, Stockholm, Interla-ken, Toronto, Velden, and Riga. To mark the tenth anniversary of the workshop, this year the workshop includes an invited keynote address by Prof. Janis Bubenko Jr. that reflects on historical trends in information modeling. EMMSAD'05 is jointly sponsored by the Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering (CAiSE), the International Federation for Information Process-ing Working Group 8.1 (IFIP WG 8.1), the International Federation for Information Processing Working Group 8.1 (IFIP WG 8.1), the Network of Excellence for Inter-operability Research for Networked Enterprises Applications and Software (INTEROP), and the Association for Information Systems Special Interest Group on Systems Analysis and Design (AIS-SIGSAND). This year we had 36 submissions from all over the globe. After an extensive re-view process by a distinguished international program committee, with each paper re-ceiving three or more reviews, we accepted the 21 papers that appear, together with an abstract of the keynote address, in these proceedings. Congratulations to the suc-cessful authors!

   
   
3. T.A. Halpin, J. Krogstie, and H.A. Proper, editors. Innovations in Information Systems Modeling. IGI Publishing, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 2008. ISBN-13: 9781605662787
   
   
4. H.A. Proper, T.A. Halpin, and J. Krogstie, editors. Proceedings of the 12th Workshop on Exploring Modeling Methods for Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'07), held in conjunction with the 19th Conference on Advanced Information Systems (CAiSE'07), Trondheim, Norway. CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 2007. ISSN 16130073

   Welcome to the 12th International Workshop on Exploring Modelling Methods in Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'07), held in conjunction with CAiSE'07. The EMMSAD workshop series started in 1996. Over the years, EMMSAD has matured and is now recognized by researchers worldwide as a premier workshop focusing on the exploration and evaluation of modelling methods and methodologies. Similar to previous years, we had many good submissions. After an intensive reviewing process, we accepted 19 out of 33 papers. The submissions came from every corner of the globe. We have received submissions from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, France, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and the USA. The International Program Committee consists of a group of well-known and highly qualified researchers. The success of EMMSAD is largely due to their generous contribution of time and effort. Continuing our very successful collaboration and cooperation with IFIP WG 8.1, dating back to 1997, this year's workshop is again a joint activity between CAiSE and IFIP WG 8.1. The Association for Information Systems Special Interest Group on Systems Analysis and Design (http://teweiwang.net/sigsand) has been a sponsor of the EMMSAD workshops since 2005. To assist the authors in finding outlet for their papers, we have been recommending top papers from the workshop to journals. In this vein, the accepted papers of this year's workshop will be considered for a special issue of World Scientific's International Journal on Cooperative Information Systems (IJCIS) or as book chapters in Idea Group's: Advances in Database Research Book Series. We hope you will enjoy this year's workshop, while also finding the time to enjoy beautiful as Norway! We look forward to your continuing support for EMMSAD.

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5. J. Krogstie, T.A. Halpin, and H.A. Proper, editors. Proceedings of the Workshop on Exploring Modeling Methods for Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'06), held in conjunctiun with the 18th Conference on Advanced Information Systems (CAiSE'06), Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Namur University Press, Namur, Belgium, 2006. ISBN-10: 2870375255

   Welcome to the 11th International Workshop on Exploring Modeling Methods in Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'06) held in conjunction with CAiSE'06. The EMMSAD workshop series started in 1996. Over the years, EMMSAD has matured and is now recognized by researchers worldwide as a premier workshop focusing on the exploration and evaluation of modeling methods and methodologies. Similar to previous years, we had many good submissions. After an intensive reviewing process, we accepted 12 completed research papers for full presentations, and 4 research-in-progress papers for short presentations. The submissions came from every corner of the globe. We have submissions from Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Norway, Finland, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. The International Program Committee consists of a group of well-known and highly qualified researchers. The success of EMMSAD is largely due to their generous contribution of time and effort. Continuing with our very successful collaboration and cooperation with IFIP WG 8.1 that started in 1997, this years workshop is again a joint activity between CAiSE and IFIP WG 8.1. The European INTEROP Network of Excellence and the Association for Information Systems Special Interest Group on Systems Analysis and Design have been sponsors since 2005. To assist the authors in finding outlet for their papers, we have been recommending top papers from the workshop to journals.

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Journal publications

1. H.A. Proper and M.M. Lankhorst. Editorial Preface. Enterprise Modelling and Information Systems Architectures, 3(1):2, 2008.
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2. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Embedding Knowledge Exchange and Cognitive Matchmaking in a Dichotomy of Markets. Expert Systems with Applications, (36):12236-12255, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2009.04.071

   Actors require knowledge to improve or gain competencies in order to work successfully. Competencies are improved or gained by executing qualifying tasks. A knowledge market paradigm is introduced to improve the fit between supply and demand of knowledge required by actors performing such qualifying tasks. The eventual work performed by actors can be atomically divided into execution tasks. Discrepancies may exist in the suitability match of actors and the execution tasks that have been allocated to them. Therefore, a knowledge workers market paradigm is introduced as a possible solution to improve the fit between actors and execution tasks.

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3. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Matching Cognitive Characteristics of Actors and Tasks in Information Systems Engineering. Knowledge-Based Systems, Elsevier, 21(8):764-785, December 2008. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2008.03.032

   In daily practice, discrepancies may exist in the suitability match of actors and the tasks that have been allocated to them. A formal framework for cognitive matchmaking and a prototype implementation are introduced as a possible solution to improve the fit between actors and tasks. A case study has been conducted to clarify how the proposed cognitive matchmaking approach can be utilized in information systems engineering. The inductive-hypothetical research strategy has been applied as an overall research approach. A separate iteration of the strategy has been applied within the case study.

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4. F. Arbab, F.S. de Boer, M. Bonsangue, M.M. Lankhorst, H.A. Proper, and L. van der Torre. Integrating Architectural Models. Enterprise Modelling and Information Systems Architectures, 2(1):40-57, 2007.

   The diversity of architectural models in enterprise architecture is a problem for their integration. In this paper we distinguish three kinds of models from each other and their visualization, and we illustrate how the distinctions can be used for model integration within the architectural approach. Symbolic models express properties of architectures of systems, semantic models interpret the symbols of semantic models, and subjective models are purposely abstracted conceptions of a domain. Building on results obtained in the ArchiMate project, we illustrate how symbolic models can be integrated using an architectural language, how integrated models can be updated using the distinction between symbolic models and their visualization, and how semantic models can be integrated using a new kind of enterprise analysis called semantic analysis. We also suggest that subjective models can be integrated using techniques from natural language analysis.

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5. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, and Th.P. van der Weide. Typing and transformational effects in complex information supply. International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems, 16(2):229-270, June 2007.

   Information plays an increasingly important role in our lives. Often we retrieve this information by querying the web: data resources found on the web may provide the information that were looking for. This implies that the Web may be seen as an information market: authors supply information and searchers may find it. In this article we present a formal framework for the syntactic aspects of the information market. We explore the information landscape using a modeling approach. An important part of this model is a (syntactic) framework for transformations, which allows us to deal with the heterogeneity of the data resources found on the Web. Last but not least we attempt to give an outline how our framework, which in essence focuses on the data resources on the Web, may lead to a better understanding of how information is supplied via the Web. For this we use an example from the field of information retrieval.

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6. P. van Bommel, B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, M. van Vliet, and Th.P. van der Weide. Value and the information market. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 61(1):153-175, 2007.

   In this paper we explore how (micro)economic theory can be used to analyze and model the exchange of information on the Web. More specifically, we consider searchers for information who engage in transactions on the Web. Searchers will engage in web transactions only if they gain something in such a transaction. To this end we develop a formal model for markets, based on the notions of value and transaction. This model enables us to examine transactions on an information market. In this market we have a dual view on transactions, creating a dichotomy of transactors and transactands.

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7. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and V.E. van Reijswoud. Navigating the Methodology Jungle - The communicative role of modelling techniques in information system development. Computing Letters, 1(3), 2005.

   In this position paper, we claim that more attention should be paid to the communicative role of modelling techniques in information system development. The communicative role of a modelling technique refers to it providing a language for communication between the different actors involved in system development, about particular aspects of the system being developed.

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8. P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Information coverage in advisory brokers. International journal of intelligent systems, 22(11):1155-1188, November 2007. doi:10.1002/int.20240

   Traditionally, information retrieval aims to find information carriers, such as documents, that best match some query or some other intentional! description of a searcher's information need. In this article, we take the approach that searchers turn to an information retrieval system with the aim of finding several alternatives that completely satisfy their complex! information need. In other words, searchers expect the retrieval system to help them in covering their information need, rather than merely providing them with a myriad of hopefully relevant information carriers. Ideally, the system should respond by advising one or more packages of information carriers with the requested cumulative effect. This also enables searchers to better trade off between the costs of acquiring and reading/internalizing information carriers versus the expected informational benefits. This article focuses on a theory that aims to clarify the underlying problem area. The theory may consequently be used to enhance information retrieval systems in general and teaching and learning systems in particular, with abilities to better cover a searcher's information need. In the theory presented, we also cater to the fact that searchers may be in different mental moods. The consequence of searchers being in different moods is that information carriers are processed differently. Identifying this influence gives the opportunity to advise users according to their specific moods.

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9. G.E. Veldhuijzen van Zanten, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. System Development as a Rational Communicative Process. Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 2(4):47-51, 2004.

   System development is a process in which communication plays an important role. Requirements must be elicited from various stakeholders. But stakeholders also make decisions and must understand the consequences thereof. Different viewpoints must be reconciled, and agreements reached. An important assumption we make is that all actions in the development process are (or should be) based on rational decisions. The quest for rationality is a driving force behind the communication that takes place within the development process, because it raises issues that may otherwise have remained in the subconsciousness of stakeholders. We zoom in on the role of vagueness in communication, and argue that there are good reasons not to try and formalize things too soon in the development process. The purpose of this paper is to position our ongoing research, encourage discussion about the assumptions we make, and inspire novel approaches to system development. We work towards a comprehensive theory of rational system development, in which due attention is paid to development processes, communication, and the representations used therein.

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10. H.A. Proper. Editor's Introduction. International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems, 13(3):211-212, 2004. doi:10.1142/S0218843004000948
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11. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, A.I. Bleeker, and H.A. Proper. Facing the Conceptual Complexities in Business Domain Modeling. Computing Letters, 1(2):59-68, 2005.

    The paper focuses on business domain modeling as part of requirements engineering in software development projects. Domain modeling concerns obtaining and modeling the language (concepts, terminologies; ontologies) used by stakeholders to talk about a domain. Achieving conceptual clarity and consensus among stakeholders is an important yet often neglected part of requirements engineering. Domain modeling can play a key role in supporting it. This does, however, require a nuanced approach to language aspects of domain modeling as well as ambition management concerning its goals, and the procedure followed. We provide an analysis of the linguistic complexities involved, as well as of various levels of ambition concerning the domain modeling process. On top of the "classic" approach to modeling singular, stable domains, we distinguish aspects like incremental modeling, modeling of multiple terminologies within a domain, and domain evolution; we will elaborate on the first two aspects.

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12. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, and P. van Bommel. A conceptual model for Information Supply. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 51:189-222, 2004.

    This paper introduces a conceptual model for information supply. The model is based on the notion that similar information can be conveyed by multiple representations. Hence, we define that information services provide access to several representations. The relation between these two concepts is provided by what we call features. Furthermore, we recognize the fact that information services are interrelated by means of relations. We informally introduce this model using the ER-notation, and provide a formalization as well. Last but not least, the notion of transformations is introduced. Using transformations we are able to transform representations to a type that is both acceptable and useful for the user of an IR-system.

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13. M.P. Papazoglou, H.A. Proper, and J. Yang. Landscaping the information space of large multi-database networks. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 36(3):251-281, 2001.

    The promises of network-accessible information are increasingly difficult to achieve. These difficulties are due to a variety of causes, such as, the rapid growth in the volume of network-available information and the increasing complexity, diversity and terminological fluctuations of the different information sources available. This paper presents a conceptual architecture for the organisation information space across collections of component systems in multi-databases that provides serendipity, exploration and contextualisation support so that users can achieve logical connections between concepts they are familiar with and schema terms employed in multi-database systems. Large-scale searching for multi-database schema information is guided by a combination of lexical, structural and semantic aspects of schema terms in order to reveal more meaning both about the contents of a requested information term and about its placement within the distributed information space.

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14. H.A. Proper and P.D. Bruza. What is Information Discovery About? Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 50(9):737-750, July 1999.

    The Internet has led to an increase in the quantity and diversity of information available for searching. Furthermore, users are bombarded by a constant barrage of electronic messages in the form of e-mail, faxes, etc. This has led to a plethora of search engines, "intelligent" agents, etc. that aim to help users in their quest for relevant information, or shield them against irrelevant information. All these systems aim to identify the potentially relevant information in amongst a large pool of available information. No unifying underlying theory for information discovery systems exists as yet. The aim of this article is to provide a logic-based framework for information discovery, and relate this to the traditional field of information retrieval. Furthermore, the often ignored user receives special emphasis. In information discovery, a good understanding of a user's (sometimes hidden) needs and beliefs is essential. We will develop a logic-based approach to express the mechanics of information discovery, while the pragmatics are based on an analysis of the underlying informational semantics of information carriers and information needs of users.

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15. A.H.M. ter Hofstede and H.A. Proper. How to Formalize It? Formalization Principles for Information Systems Development Methods. Information and Software Technology, 40(10):519-540, October 1998.

    Although the need for formalisation of modelling techniques is generally recognised, not much literature is devoted to the actual process involved. This is comparable to the situation in mathematics where focus is on proofs but not on the process of proving. This paper tries to accomodate for this lacuna and provides essential principles for the process of formalisation in the context of modelling techniques as well as a number of small but realistic formalisation case studies.

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16. H.A. Proper. Data Schema Design as a Schema Evolution Process. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 22(2):159-189, 1997.

    In an information system a key role is played by the underlying data schema. This article starts out from the view that the entire modelling process of an information system's data schema can be seen as a schema transformation process. A transformation process that starts out with an initial draft conceptual schema and ends with an internal database schema for some implementation platform. This allows us to describe the transformation process of a database design as an evolution of a schema through a universe of data schemas. Doing so, allows for a better understanding of the actual design process, countering the problem of `software development under the lamppost'. Even when the information system design is finalised, the data schema can evolve further due to changes in the requirements on the system. We present a universe of data schemas that allows us to describe the underlying data schemas at all stages of their development. This universe of data schemas is used as a case study on how to describe the complete evolution of a data schema with all its relevant aspects. The theory is general enough to cater for more modelling concepts, or different modelling approaches. To actually model the evolution of a data schema, we present a versioning mechanism that allows us to model the evolutions of the elements of data schemas and their interactions, leading to a better understanding of a schema design process as a whole. Finally, we also discuss the relationship between this simple versioning mechanism and general purpose version management systems.

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17. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Exploiting Fact Verbalisation in Conceptual Information Modelling. Information Systems, 22(6/7):349-385, September 1997.

    An increasing number of approaches to conceptual information modelling use verbalisation techniques as an aid to derive a model for a given universe of discourse (the problem domain). The underlying assumption is that by elaborate verbalisation of samples of facts, taken from the universe of discourse, one can elicit a complete overview of the relevant concepts and their inter-relationships. These verbalisations also provide a means to validate the resulting model in terms of expressions familiar to users. This approach can be found in modern ER variations, Object-Role Modelling variations, as well as different Object-Oriented Modelling techniques. After the modelling process has ended, the fact verbalisations are hardly put to any further use. As we belief this to be unfortunate, this article is concerned with the exploitation of fact verbalisations after finishing the actual information system. The verbalisations are exploited in four directions. We consider their use for a conceptual query language, the verbalisation of instances, the description of the contents of a database, and for the verbalisation of queries in a computer supported query environment. To put everything in perspective, we also provide an example session with an envisioned tool for end-user query formulation that exploits the verbalisations.

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18. P.N. Creasy and H.A. Proper. A Generic Model for 3-Dimensional Conceptual Modelling. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 20(2):119-162, 1996.

    This article discusses two highly intertwined issues. Firstly, we discuss the lack of top-down abstraction mechanisms in data modelling techniques; i.e. abstraction techniques that are fully integrated into the modelling technique and methodology and not just a `post-modelling process' add on. Secondly, we are concerned with the integration of object-oriented modelling techniques and traditional data modelling techniques. We start by discussing the pragmatics and motivations behind these issues. Then a formalisation of (the syntax and semantics of) a data modelling technique is presented that is a generalisation of (E)ER and ORM, and also adheres to the requirements of an object-oriented technique as laid down in the object-oriented manifesto. The result of this exercise is the so-called CDM Kernel. Furthermore, we briefly show how (E)ER, ORM and object-oriented views can be derived from models in the CDM Kernel. This effectively means that the CDM Kernel equates (E)ER, ORM and (some) object-oriented models. Finally, we briefly discuss some practical issues on the use of the facilities offered by the CDM Kernel in terms of modelling practice and tool support. A generalised conceptual modelling kernel will be very beneficial in the context of CASE Tool and in the context of federated database (information) systems.

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19. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. A General Theory for the Evolution of Application Models. IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, 7(6):984-996, December 1995.

    In this article we focus on evolving information systems. First a delimitation of the concept of evolution is provided, resulting in a first attempt to a general theory for such evolutions. The theory makes a distinction between the underlying information structure at the conceptual level, its evolution on the one hand, and the description and semantics of operations on the information structure and its population on the other hand. Main issues within this theory are object typing, type relatedness and identification of objects. In terms of these concepts, we propose some axioms on the well-formedness of evolution. In this general theory, the underlying data model is a parameter, making the theory applicable for a wide range of modelling techniques, including object-role modelling and object oriented techniques.

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20. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. Information Disclosure in Evolving Information Systems: Taking a shot at a moving target. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 15:135-168, 1995.

    In this paper, we introduce a query language for evolving information systems. Evolving information systems go beyond the capacity of conventional database systems, not only as they incorporate a time dimension, but also since they allow all aspects of the system to evolve. The introduced language is related to the philosophy underlying NIAM (Natural language Information Analysis Method). This method investigates the grammar of the communication in the Universe of Discourse. Usually this grammar is depicted as an information structure diagram (NIAM or ER schema). This paper describes the language Elisa-D, which is based on this grammar. As a result, expressions in this language have a direct meaning in the universe of discourse, while natural language expressions are easily formalised in this language.

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21. T.A. Halpin and H.A. Proper. Subtyping and Polymorphism in Object-Role Modelling. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 15:251-281, 1995.

    Although Entity-Relationship (ER) modelling techniques are commonly used for information modelling, Object-Role Modelling (ORM) techniques are becoming increasingly popular, partly because they include detailed design procedures providing guidelines for the modeller. As with the ER approach, a number of different ORM techniques exist. In this paper, we propose an integration of two theoretically well founded ORM techniques: FORM and PSM. Our main focus is on a common terminological framework, and on the notion of subtyping. Subtyping has long been an important feature of semantic approaches to conceptual schema design. It is also the concept in which FORM and PSM differ the most in their formalization. The subtyping issue is discussed from three different viewpoints covering syntactical, identification, and population issues. Finally, a wider comparison of approaches to subtyping is made, which encompasses other ER-based and ORM-based information modelling techniques, and highlights how formal subtype definitions facilitate a comprehensive specification of subtype constraints.

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22. L.J. Campbell, T.A. Halpin, and H.A. Proper. Conceptual Schemas with Abstractions - Making flat conceptual schemas more comprehensible. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 20(1):39-85, 1996.

    Flat graphical, conceptual modeling techniques are widely accepted as visually effective ways in which to specify and communicate the conceptual data requirements of an information system. Conceptual schema diagrams provide modelers with a picture of the salient structures underlying the modeled universe of discourse, in a form that can readily be understood by and communicated to users, programmers and managers. When complexity and size of applications increase, however, the success of these techniques in terms of comprehensibility and communicability deteriorates rapidly. This paper proposes a method to offset this deterioration, by adding abstraction layers to flat conceptual schemas. We present an algorithm to recursively derive higher levels of abstraction from a given (flat) conceptual schema. The driving force of this algorithm is a hierarchy of conceptual importance among the elements of the universe of discourse.

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23. G.H.W.M. Bronts, S.J. Brouwer, C.L.J. Martens, and H.A. Proper. A Unifying Object Role Modelling Approach. Information Systems, 20(3):213-235, 1995.

    This article presents the idea of defining a kernel for object role modelling techniques, upon which different drawing styles can be based. We propose such a kernel (the ORM kernel) and define, as a case study, an ER and a NIAM drawing style on top of it. One of the prominent advantages of such a kernel is the possibility to build a CASE-tool supporting multiple methods. Such a CASE-tool would allow users with different methodological backgrounds to use it and view the modelled domains in terms of their favourite method. This is illustrated using a running example of a concrete domain in which we use the ORM kernel in combination with the NIAM and ER drawing style.

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24. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. EVORM - A Conceptual Modelling Technique for Evolving Application Domains. Data & Knowledge Engineering, 12:313-359, 1994.

    In this paper we present EVORM, a data modelling technique for evolving application domains. EVORM is the result of applying a general theory for the evolution of application domains to the object role modelling technique PSM, a generalisation of ER, EER, FORM and NIAM. First the general theory is presented. This theory describes a general approach to the evolution of application domains, abstracting from details of specific modelling techniques. This theory makes a distinction between the underlying information structure and its evolution on the one hand, and the description and semantics of operations on the information structure and its population on the other hand. Main issues within this theory are object typing, type relatedness and identification of objects. After a (short) introduction to PSM, this general theory is applied, resulting in EVORM. Besides having a right of its own, the usefulness of the general theory is demonstrated by interpreting its abstract results, resulting in more intuitive rules for EVORM.

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25. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Query formulation as an information retrieval problem. The Computer Journal, 39(4):255-274, September 1996.

    Query formulation in the context of large conceptual schemata is known to be a hard problem. When formulating ad-hoc queries users may become overwhelmed by the vast amount of information that is stored in the information system; leading to a feeling of lost in conceptual space. In this article we develop a strategy to cope with this problem. This strategy is based on ideas from the information retrieval world. In particular the query by navigation mechanism and the stratified hypermedia architecture. The stratified hypermedia architecture is used to describe the information contained in the information system on multiple levels of abstraction. When using our approach to the formulation of queries, a user will first formulate a number of simple queries corresponding to linear paths through the information structure. The formulation of the linear paths is the result of the explorative phase of query formulation. Once users have specified a number of these linear paths, they may combine them to form more complex queries. This last process is referred to as query by construction, and corresponds to the constructive phase of the query formulation process.

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26. J.L.H. Oei, H.A. Proper, and E.D. Falkenberg. Evolving Information Systems: Meeting the Ever-Changing Environment. Information Systems Journal, 4(3):213-233, 1994.

    To meet the demands of organisations and their ever changing environment, information systems are required which are able to evolve to the same extent as organisations do. Such a system has to support changes of all time- and application-dependent aspects. In this paper, requirements and a conceptual framework for evolving information systems are presented. This framework includes an architecture for such systems, and a revision of the traditional notion of update. Based on this evolutionary notion of update (recording, correction, and forgetting) a state-transition-oriented model on three levels of abstraction (event level, recording level, correction level) is introduced. Some examples are provided to illustrate the conceptual framework for evolving information systems.

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27. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Formal definition of a conceptual language for the description and manipulation of information models. Information Systems, 18(7):489-523, October 1993.

    Conceptual data modelling techniques aim at the representation of data at a high level of abstraction. This implies that conceptual data modelling techniques should not only be capable of naturally representing complex structures, but also the rules (constraints) that must hold for these structures. Contemporary data modelling techniques however, do not provide a language, which on the one hand has a formal semantics and on the other hand leads to natural looking expressions, for formulating these constraints. In this paper such a language is defined for an existing data modelling technique (PSM), which is a generalisation of object-role models (such as ER or NIAM). In this language not only constraints, but also queries and updates can be expressed on a conceptual level.

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Chapters in books

1. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and D.B.B. Rijsenbrij. Foundations and Applications of Intelligent Knowledge Exchange. In P. Zemliansky and K. St-Amant, editors, The Handbook of Research on Virtual Workplaces and the New Nature of Business Practices. IGI Publishing, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 2008. ISBN-13: 9781599048932

   Exchange of knowledge is becoming increasingly important to modern organizations. In this chapter is explained what this elementary knowledge exchange consists of and how a virtual workplace can support knowledge exchange between workers. A scenario from the medical domain illustrates how physicians can improve their knowledge exchange by utilizing the virtual workplace models introduced. Better adaptation to the rapidly changing nature of providing health care is a desirable effect of improved knowledge exchange between physicians. Explicit models concerning possible physical, social and digital contexts of knowledge exchange are discussed, as well as models which depict how knowledge relatedness enable intelligent knowledge exchange. Researchers studying virtual workplace models for industry and academic purposes belong to the intended audience of this chapter. Administrators of public sector or other non-profit agencies who wish to incorporate virtual workplace models and methods into their daily operations can also benefit from the contents discussed.

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2. P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and J. Roelofs. Concepts and Strategies for Quality of Modeling. In T.A. Halpin, J. Krogstie, and H.A. Proper, editors, Innovations in Information Systems Modeling, chapter 9. IGI Publishing, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 2008. ISBN-13: 9781605662787

   A process-oriented framework (QoMo) is presented that aims to further the study of analysis and support of processes for modelling. The framework is strongly goal-oriented, and expressed largely by means of formal rules. The concepts in the framework are partly derived from the SEQUAL framework for quality of modelling. A number of modelling goal categories is discussed in view of SE-QUAL/QoMo, as well as a formal approach to the descrip-tion of strategies to help achieve those goals. Finally, a prototype implementation of the framework is presented as an illustration and proof of concept.

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3. P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. On the Use of Object-Role Modeling For Modeling Active Domains, pages 123-145. Research Issues in System Analysis and Design, Databases and Software Development. IGI Publishing, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 2007. ISBN-10: 9781599049274

   This chapter is about how the Object Role Modeling (ORM) language and approach can be used for integration, at a deep and formal level, of various domain modeling representations and viewpoints, with a focus on the modeling of active domains. The authors argue that ORM is particularly suited for enabling such integration because of its generic conceptual nature, its useful, existing connection with natural language and controlled languages, and its formal rigor. They propose the Logbook Paradigm as an effective perspective in active domains modeling and for the derivation of domain grammars. They show how standard ORM can be extended to an Object Role Calculus (ORC), including temporal concepts and constraints that enable the modeling of active domains. A suggestion for graphical representation is also provided. The authors hope to contribute to integration of domain models and viewpoints in an academic and educational context rather than proposing ORM and ORC as new modeling tools in an industrial setting.

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4. H.A. Proper, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and G.E. Veldhuijzen van Zanten. Communication of Enterprise Architectures. In Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis, pages 67-82. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2005. ISBN-10: 3540243712

   An enterprise architecture tries to describe and control an organisation's structure, processes, applications, systems and techniques in an integrated way. The unambiguous specification and description of components and their relationships in such architecture requires a coherent architecture modelling language. Lankhorst and his co-authors present such an enterprise modelling language that captures the complexity of architectural domains and their relations and allows the construction of integrated enterprise architecture models. They provide architects with concrete instruments that improve their architectural practice. As this is not enough, they additionally present techniques and heuristics for communicating with all relevant stakeholders about these architectures. Since an architecture model is useful not only for providing insight into the current or future situation but can also be used to evaluate the transition from 'as-is' to 'to-be', the authors also describe analysis methods for assessing both the qualitative impact of changes to an architecture and the quantitative aspects of architectures, such as performance and cost issues. The modelling language and the other techniques presented have been proven in practice in many real-life case studies. So this book is an ideal companion for enterprise IT or business architects in industry as well as for computer or management science students studying the field of enterprise architecture.

   
   
5. M.M. Lankhorst, L. van der Torre, H.A. Proper, F. Arbab, and M.W.A. Steen. Viewpoints and Visualisation. In M.M. Lankhorst, editor, Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis, pages 147-190. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2005. ISBN-10: 3540243712

   In the previous sections, we have advocated a viewpoint-oriented approach to enterprise architecture modelling, in which architects and other stake-holders can define their own views of the architecture. In this approach views are specified by viewpoints, which define abstractions on the set of models representing the enterprise architecture, each aimed at a particular type of stakeholder and addressing a particular set of concerns. We have described the use of viewpoints in communication, and the distinction between an architecture model, a view of that model, and its visualisation and manipulation. We have presented guidelines for the selection and use of viewpoints, and outlined a number of viewpoints in the Archi-Mate language that can be used by architects involved in the creation or change of enterprise architecture models.

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6. M.M. Lankhorst, L. van der Torre, H.A. Proper, F. Arbab, F.S. de Boer, and Bonsangue M. Foundations (of ArchiMate). In Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis, pages 47-66. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2005. ISBN-10: 3540243712

   An enterprise architecture tries to describe and control an organisation's structure, processes, applications, systems and techniques in an integrated way. The unambiguous specification and description of components and their relationships in such architecture requires a coherent architecture modelling language. Lankhorst and his co-authors present such an enterprise modelling language that captures the complexity of architectural domains and their relations and allows the construction of integrated enterprise architecture models. They provide architects with concrete instruments that improve their architectural practice. As this is not enough, they additionally present techniques and heuristics for communicating with all relevant stakeholders about these architectures. Since an architecture model is useful not only for providing insight into the current or future situation but can also be used to evaluate the transition from 'as-is' to 'to-be', the authors also describe analysis methods for assessing both the qualitative impact of changes to an architecture and the quantitative aspects of architectures, such as performance and cost issues. The modelling language and the other techniques presented have been proven in practice in many real-life case studies. So this book is an ideal companion for enterprise IT or business architects in industry as well as for computer or management science students studying the field of enterprise architecture.

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Conference publications

1. P. Tulinayo, S.J.B.A Hoppenbrouwers, P. van Bommel Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Integrating System Dynamics with Object-Role Modeling and Petri Nets. In J. Mendling, S. Rinderle-Ma, and W. Esswein, editors, Enterprise Modelling and information systems Architectures, pages 41-54, Ulm, Germany, September 10-11 2009. GI-Edition, IFIP, LNI P-152.

   The art of System Dynamics (SD) modeling lies in discovering and repre- senting the feedback processes and other elements that determine the dynamics of a system. However, SD shows a lack of means for discovering and expressing precise, language-based concepts in domains. Therefore, we choose to use Object-Role Mod- eling (ORM) to add high quality formal conceptualization to SD modeling and Petri Nets (PNs) to bridge the gap between static ORM and Dynamic, flow-like aspects of SD. To achieve the integration of these methods, we take a step by step approach where we first identify the conceptual link between SD and ORM, then the key concepts used in these methods, which we later use to derive mappings, transition statements and el- ements. This helps us to better understand the underlying concepts, the connections between the model structure, and behavior in a sequential manner.

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2. D. Ssebuggwawo, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. Evaluating Modeling Sessions Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. In A. Persson and J. Stirna, editors, Second IFIP WG 8.1 Working Conference on The Practice of Enterprise Modeling: from Business Strategies to Enterprise Architectures Stockholm, Sweden, November, 2009, Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, pages 69-83. Springer, Berlin, Germany, November 2008.

   In this paper, which is methodological in nature, we propose to use an established method from the field of Operations Research, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), in the integrated, stakeholder- oriented evaluation of enterprise modeling sessions: their language, pro- cess, tool (medium), and products. We introduce the AHP and briefly explain its mechanics. We describe the factors we take into consideration, and demonstrate the approach at the hand of a case example we devised based on a semi-realistic collaborative modeling session. The method proposed is to be a key part of a larger setup: a laboratory for the study of operational (i.e. real) modeling sessions and related study and development of methods and tools deployed in them.

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3. D. Ssebuggwawo, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. Interactions, Goals and Rules in a Collaborative Modelling Session. In A. Persson and J. Stirna, editors, Second IFIP WG 8.1 Working Conference on The Practice of Enterprise Modeling: from Business Strategies to Enterprise Architectures Stockholm, Sweden, November, 2009, Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, pages 54-68. Springer, Berlin, Germany, November 2008.

   Collaborative modeling can enhance productivity and qual- ity of modeling in system development and enterprise engineering projects by helping to construct agreement and a sense of model ownership among stakeholders/modelers. Most of these stakeholders have relatively low ex- pertise in formal modeling; advanced modeler-oriented support for collab- orative modeling is a possible remedy. As a basis for further development of such support (methods, tools), we have carried out a detailed exploratory study of the interaction between modelers, involving diverse aspects of modeling: goal setting, modeling language concepts, planning, etc. Cen- tral in our approach is the study of how collaborative modelers negotiate, set, use, and deal with the various rules/goals governing interactive mod- eling sessions. We describe the conceptual framework and approach used for our analysis, and present findings from a case study which focused on the first phases of a session concerning basic Business Process Modeling. We also compare our findings to some existing work, to demonstrate the relevance of our approach.

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4. A. Nakakawa, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Quality Enhancements in Creating Enterprise Architecture - Relevance of Academic Models in Practice. In H.A. Proper, A.F. Harmsen, and J.L.G. Dietz, editors, Advances in Enterprise Engineering II - Proceedings of the First NAF Academy Working Conference on Practice-Driven Research on Enterprise Transformations, PRET 2009, held at CAiSE 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2009, volume 28 of Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, pages 109-133. Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 2009. ISBN-13 9783642018589

   This chapter presents an explicit approach, that is both theory and practice driven, to support evaluation and collaboration activities when creating enterprise architecture. The approach will be applicable in addressing evaluation and collaboration related aspects in two primary phases of TOGAF ADM. These two particular phases of TOGAF involve activities where collaboration among different key stakeholders and enterprise architects is paramount. Moreover based on theoretical insights, a collaboration process to facilitate the steps in the formulated approach has been developed. Both the approach and the process design for its realisation, have been evaluated by exposing them to industrial practice. Insights from structured walkthrough sessions with experienced enterprise architects are discussed and used to enrich the theoretical models. Generally this chapter aims at demonstrating how theoretical models, when enriched by experiences from industrial practice, can fill the currently existing gap between academia and industry, of the lack of a profound analysis of success factors for enterprise architecting.

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5. A.F. Harmsen, H.A. Proper, and N. Kok. Informed Governance of Enterprise Transformations. In H.A. Proper, A.F. Harmsen, and J.L.G. Dietz, editors, Advances in Enterprise Engineering II - Proceedings of the First NAF Academy Working Conference on Practice-Driven Research on Enterprise Transformations, PRET 2009, held at CAiSE 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2009, volume 28 of Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, pages 155-180. Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 2009. ISBN-13 9783642018589

   Modern day enterprises are confronted with a variety of challenges, forcing them to continuously transform themselves to better meet these c hallenges. The diversity of the challenges and the resulting desires to transform (parts of) the enterprise, make it desirable to align all req uired and desired transformations in such a way that they complement each other rather than nullifying, or even undermining, each other's effects. Therefore, mature governance of these enterprise transformations is absolutely crucial. We will argue that this requires a phtransformation authority, being the organisational function which is responsible for the governance of enterprise transformations. In this chapter, our driving interest is the implementation of mature phtransformation authorities. Judging whether a portfolio of enterprise transformations is well aligned requires insight into the desired overall result, as well as the planned and phachieved effects of the individual transformations. This is what we refer to as phinformed governance. In this chapter we will position the discipline of phenterprise architecture (referring to the architecture of the enterprise, and not just enterprise-wide IT architecture) as the core means to achieve informed governance. We will argue that mature governance of enterprises transformations presupposes the use of enterprise architecture to direct the portfolio of transformations. Our discussions we will be based on theories from management science, as well as experiences from our own industrial practices. We will also discuss two cases of enterprises involved in the implementation of phtransformation authorities and use these to further refine our theoretical model.

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6. F. Tulinayo, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. Integrating System Dynamics with Object-Role Modeling. In A. Persson and J. Stirna, editors, First IFIP WG 8.1 Working Conference on The Practice of Enterprise Modeling: from Business Strategies to Enterprise Architectures Stockholm, Sweden 12-13 November, 2008, Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing. Springer, Berlin, Germany, November 2008.

   We put Object-Role Modeling (ORM) to work in the context of the creation of System Dynamics (SD) models. SD focuses on the structure and behavior of systems composed of interacting feedback loops. The art of SD modeling lies in discovering and representing the feedback processes and other elements that determine the dynamics of the system (typically, a process in an organization). However, SD shows a lack of instruments for discovering and expressing precise, language-based concepts in domains. At the same time, the field of conceptual modeling has long since focused on deriving models from natural expressions. We therefore turn to ORM as a prime example of this school of thought to integrate its strong natural language based modeling approach into the creation of SD models. A two step schema based approach for transforming an ORM domain model into a SD stock and flow diagram is presented. We discuss how typical ORM conceptualization can be linked to SD conceptualization and how such a transformation can be performed. Examples are provided

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7. C. Steghuis and H.A. Proper. Competencies and responsibilities of Enterprise Architects - A jack-of-all-trades? In J.L.G. Dietz, A. Albani, and J. Barjis, editors, Advances in Enterprise Engineering I - Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop CIAO! and the 4th International Workshop EOMAS, held at CAISE 2008, Montpellier, France, June 2008, number 10 in Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, pages 93-107. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2008. ISBN-13: 9783540686439

   This paper is not concerned with phenterprise architecture as a product or as a process, but rather concerns itself with the professionals who are responsible for the creation of the products and the execution of the associated processes: phthe enterprise architects. We will discuss the responsibilities of enterprise architects, as well as the basic competencies and personality types which an enterprise architect is expected to have in meeting these responsibilities. Since enterprise architects are likely to operate in teams we also discuss the competencies needed to effectively work in teams. The presented results are based on existing studies into the skills of architects, surveys conducted among enterprise architects, as well as the experience of our organisations in teaching future enterprise architects.

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8. J. Nabukenya, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. A Theory-Driven Design Approach to Collaborative Policy Making Processes. In Proceedings of the 42nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS-42), Los Alamitos, Hawaii. IEEE Computer Society Press, 2009.

   In this paper, we consider improving collaborative policy making processes. We suggest Collaboration Engineering (CE) as an approach that can be useful in enhancing these processes. However, CE needs a theoretical basis to guide the design. This basis is provided by the quality dimensions and the causal theory. We therefore present a theory that provides an understanding of what makes good policies in policy making. This understanding should lead to design choices that should be taken into account to design quality collaborative policy making processes. To determine the quality dimensions of good policies, we use field exploratory studies and literature in the policy making domain research. Furthermore, we consider cause and effect relationships for these quality dimensions to derive the theory.

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9. M.M. Lankhorst, H.A. Proper, and H. Jonkers. The Architecture of the ArchiMate Language. In T.A. Halpin, J. Krogstie, S. Nurcan, H.A. Proper, R. Schmidt, P. Soffer, and R. Ukor, editors, Enterpise, Business-Process and Information Systems Modeling - 10th International Workshop, BPMDS 2009 and 14th International Conference, EMMSAD 2009, held at CAiSE 2009, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2009, volume 29 of Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, pages 367-380. Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2009. ISBN-13 9783642018619

   In current business practice, an integrated approach to business and IT is indispensable. In many enterprises, however, such an integrated vi ew of the entire enterprise is still far from reality. To deal with these challenges, an integrated view of the enterprise is needed, enabling impact and change analysis covering all relevant aspects. This need sparked the development of the ArchiMate language. This paper is concerned with documenting some of the key design decisions and design principles underlying the ArchiMate language.

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10. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and D.B.B. Rijsenbrij. Matching Cognitive Characteristics of Actors and Tasks. In On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2007: DOA, CoopIS, ODBASE, GADA, and IS, Vilamoura, Portugal, November 25 - 30, 2007, Proceedings, Part I, Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer, Berlin, Germany, November 2007.

    Acquisition, application and testing of knowledge by actors trying to fulfill knowledge intensive tasks is becoming increasingly important for organizations due to trends such as globalization, the emergence of virtual organizations and growing product complexity. An actor's man- agement of basic cognitive functions, however, is at stake because of this increase in the need to acquire, apply and test knowledge during daily work. This paper specifically focusses on matchmaking between the cognitive characteristics supplied by an actor and the cognitive characteristics required to fulfill a certain knowledge intensive task. This is based on a categorization and characterization of actors and knowledge intensive tasks. A framework for a cognitive matchmaker system is introduced to compute actual match values and to be able to reason about the suitability of a specific actor to fulfill a task of a certain type.

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11. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and D.B.B. Rijsenbrij. Characterizing Knowledge Intensive Tasks indicating Cognitive Requirements - Scenarios in Methods for Specific Tasks. In J. Ralyté, S. Brinkkemper, and .B. Henderson-Sellers, editors, Proceedings of the IFIP TC8 / WG8.1 Working Conference on Situational Method Engineering: Fundamentals and Experiences (ME07), Geneva, Switzerland, volume 244 of IFIP Series, pages 100-114. Springer, Berlin, Germany, September 2007. ISBN-10: 9780387739465

    Methods for specific tasks can among others be identified in conceptual modelling of information systems and requirements engineering in software development. Such methods dictate a specific way of working by describing necessary knowledge intensive tasks to fulfil while applying the method. An actor may experience difficulties when trying to fulfil tasks as part of a method application, related to the cognitive abilities required to fulfil a certain task versus the specific cognitive abilities possessed by the actor. This paper specifically focusses on the cognitive abilities required to fulfil a knowledge intensive task while applying a method for specific tasks. This is based on a categorization and characterization of knowledge intensive tasks and on scenarios in conceptual modelling of information systems and requirements engineering.

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12. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and D.B.B. Rijsenbrij. Visualizing Formalisms with ORM Models. In On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2007: OTM 2007 Workshops - OTM Confederated International Conferences and Posters, AWeSOMe, CAMS, COMINF, OTM Academy Doctoral Consortium, MONET, NDKM, OnToContent, ORM, PerSys, PiPE, PPN, RDDS, SSWS, SWWS 2007, Vilamoura, Portugal, November 25 - 30, 2007, Proceedings, Part II, Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer, Berlin, Germany, November 2007.

    During the development of theoretical frameworks researchers often graphically represent formal textual notations as part of a developed theory. This may lead to enrichments and new insights regarding a theory. A possibility for graphical representation of formalisms is the utilization of modeling languages such as ORM. This paper deals with the technique of visualizing formalisms by using ORM models and shows the advantages of graphically representing a formal theoretical framework. An application of the approach that has already been successfully practised is elaborated. This application concerns a theoretical framework consisting of knowledge intensive task properties and shows how the approach to visualize formalisms with ORM can be materialized.

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13. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Information Systems Engineering supported by Cognitive Matchmaking. In Z. Bellahsène and M. Léonard, editors, 20th International Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering, CAiSE 2008, Montpellier, France, volume 5074 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 495-509. Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 2008. ISBN-13: 9783540695332 doi:10.1007/978-3-540-69534-9

    In daily practice, discrepancies may exist in the suitability match of actors and the tasks that have been allocated to them. Formal theory and the prototype of a cognitive matchmaker system are introduced as a solution to improve the fit between actors and tasks. A case study has been conducted to clarify how the proposed cognitive matchmaker system can be utilized in information systems engineering. The inductive-hypothetical research strategy has been applied when performing the case study.

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14. M. Op 't Land and H.A. Proper. Impact of Principles on Enterprise Engineering. In H. Österle, J. Schelp, and R Winter, editors, Proceedings of the 15th European Conference on Information Systems, pages 1965-1976. University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland, June 2007.

    Increasingly, organizations make use of enterprise architectures to direct the development of the en-terprise as a whole and the development of their IT portfolio in particular. This steering and directing is done by means of principles, which are essentially regarded as constraints on the design space for enterprise engineers, thus guiding them in their design efforts. In this paper we study the potential constraining effect of principles on the design of enterprises as well as the guidance designers may receive from these principles. We start by providing a brief dis-cussion on the concepts of enterprise architecture and enterprise engineering. We continue by discuss-ing a strategy to make principles specific and measurable enough to indeed allow them to constrain design space. This is followed by a discussion of a number of examples, taken from real-life practice, illustrating the steering effect of principles. Finally, we also briefly pay attention to the process that may be followed in formulating and formalizing principles.

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15. J. Nabukenya, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Repeatable Collaboration Processes for Mature Organizational Policy Making. In Proceedings of the 14th Collaboration Researchers's International Workshop on Groupware (CRIWG08), Omaha, Nebraska, Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer, Berlin, Germany, July 2007.

    Organizational policy making processes are complex processes in which many people are involved. Very often the results of these processes are not what the different stakeholders intended. Since policies play a major role in key decision making concerning the future of organizations, our research aims at improving the policies on the basis of cooperation. In order to achieve this goal, we apply the practice of collaboration engineering to the field of organizational policy making. We use the thinklet as a basic building block for facilitating intervention to create a repeatable pattern of collaboration among people working together towards achieving a goal. Our case studies show that policy making processes do need collaboration support indeed and that the resulting policies can be expected to improve.

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16. J. Nabukenya, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Towards a Method for Collaborative Policy Making. In J. Ralyté, S. Brinkkemper, and .B. Henderson-Sellers, editors, Poster Proceedings of the IFIP WG8.1 Working Conference on Situational Method Engineering: Fundamentals and Experiences (ME07), Geneva, Switzerland, number Technical Report UU-CS-2007-026, pages 4-12, Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, September 2007. ISSN: 09243275

    This paper is concerned with the development of a method for collaborative policy making. The aim of this method is to improve the quality of phpolicy-making processes. The creation of policies is a collaborative process. The quality of this collaboration has a profound impact on the quality of the resulting policies and the acceptance by its stakeholders. We therefore aim to integrate techniques from the field of collaboration engineering into our policy making method in order to improve the quality of the process and its outcomes. We present the results of two case studies conducted on the use of collaboration engineering in the context of policy making processes. A key element in this result involves the initial design of a method for policy making in terms of elementary constructs from collaboration engineering.

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17. P. van Bommel, P.G. Buitenhuis, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. Architecture Principles - A Regulative Perspective on Enterprise Architecture. In M. Reichert, S. Strecker, and K. Turowski, editors, Enterprise Modelling and Information Systems Architectures (EMISA2007), number 119 in Lecture Notes in Informatics, pages 47-60, Bonn, Germany, Oktober 2007. Gesellschaft fur Informatik.

    Increasingly, organizations make use of enterprise architectures to direct the development of the enterprise as a whole and its IT portfolio in particular. In this paper we investigate the regulative nature of enterprise architecture. We aim to develop a fundamental understanding of the regulative needs that underly an enterprise architecture, and then take these needs as a starting point to arrive at requirements on the language (architecture principles) used to denote enterprise architectures. We furthermore discuss the process of formulating principles as well as their semantics.

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18. P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. QoMo: A Modelling Process Quality Framework based on SEQUAL. In H.A. Proper, T.A. Halpin, and J. Krogstie, editors, Proceedings of the 12th Workshop on Exploring Modeling Methods for Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'07), held in conjunctiun with the 19th Conference on Advanced Information Systems (CAiSE'07), Trondheim, Norway, pages 118-127. CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 2007. ISSN 16130073

    This paper aims to contribute to the area of conceptual model quality assessment and improvement. We present a preliminary modelling process-oriented 'Quality of Modelling' framework (QoMo), mainly based on the estab-lished SEQUAL framework for quality of models. QoMo is based on knowl-edge state transitions, cost of the activities bringing such transitions about, and a goal structure for activities-for-modelling. Such goals are directly linked to concepts of SEQUAL. We discuss how goals for modelling can be linked to a rule-based way of describing processes for modelling. Such process descrip-tions hinge on strategy descriptions, which may be used descriptively (for studying/analysing real instances of processes) as well as prescriptively (for the guiding of modelling processes). Descriptive utility of the framework is critical for the quality/evaluation angle on processes-for-modelling, and reflects the main intended contribution of this paper.

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19. Betsy Pepels, Rinus Plasmeijer, and H.A. Proper. Fact-Oriented Modeling from a Programming Language Designer`s Perspective. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2006: OTM 2006 Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWESOMe, CAMS, COMINF, IS, KSinBIT, MIOS-CIAO, MONET, OnToContent, ORM, PerSys, OTM Acadamy Doctoral Consortium, RDDS, SWWS, and SebGIS, Proceedings, Part II, Montpellier, France, volume 4278 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 1170-1180. Springer, Berlin, Germany, October/November 2006.

    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.

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20. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and D.B.B. Rijsenbrij. Knowledge Discovery and Exchange: Towards a Web-based Application for Discovery and Exchange of Revealed Knowledge. In Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies, volume WIA, pages 26-34, March 2007.

    Web technologies enable the discovery and exchange of knowledge from many different locations using many different channels. This implies that one is able to discover and exchange knowledge while using a PDA when traveling by train for instance. A provisional Web-based application referred to as `DEXAR: Discovery and eXchange of Revealed knowledge' is therefore introduced to illustrate the possibilities of the Web in the process of knowledge discovery and exchange. This is illustrated by an example from the medical domain. Before focussing on this Web application however a better understanding of knowledge discovery and exchange is needed to be able to determine what kind of Web-based support is desired and feasible. Thus, a knowledge market paradigm and a knowledge discovery paradigm are discussed in detail.

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21. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, L. Lindeman, and H.A. Proper. Capturing Modeling Processes - Towards the MoDial Modeling Laboratory. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2006: OTM 2006 Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWESOMe, CAMS, COMINF, IS, KSinBIT, MIOS-CIAO, MONET, OnToContent, ORM, PerSys, OTM Acadamy Doctoral Consortium, RDDS, SWWS, and SebGIS, Proceedings, Part II, Montpellier, France, volume 4278 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 1242-1252. Springer, Berlin, Germany, October/November 2006.

    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 current 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.

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22. H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and Th.P. van der Weide. A Fundamental View on the Act of Modeling. In J. Kizza, J. Aisbett, A. Vince, and T. Wanyama, editors, Advances in Systems Modelling and ICT Applications, volume 2 of Special topics in computing and ICT research, Kampala, Uganda, August 2006. Fountain Publishers, Kampala, Uganda.

    This paper is part of an ongoing research effort to better understand the role of models and modeling in the information system development life-cycle. During this life-cycle, several models are produced, ranging from high level sketches, via conceptual models to source code. This paper is part of an ongoing research effort to better understand the act of modeling. We describe a formal framework by which the process of modeling can be regarded as involving the selection of more and more refined interpretations in terms of the underlying meta-model of the modeling language used. The resulting framework will be used to create a laboratory setup in which we can consequently more closely study (and support) modeling processes.

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23. J. Nabukenya, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Collaborative IT Policy-making as a means of achieving Business-IT Alignment. In B. Pernici and J.A. Gulla, editors, Proceedings of the Workshop on Business/IT Alignment and Interoperability (BUSITAL'07), held in conjunctiun with the 19th Conference on Advanced Information Systems (CAiSE'07), Trondheim, Norway, pages 461-468. Tapir Academic Press, Trondheim, Norway, 2007. ISBN-10: 9788251922456

    This paper is concerned with the application of collaboration engineering to improve the quality of policy-making processes. Policies are needed to guide complex decision-making. The creation of such policies is a collaborative process. The quality of this collaboration has a profound impact on the quality of the resulting policies and the acceptance by its stakeholders. We therefore focus on the use of techniques and methods from the field of collaboration engineering to improve the quality. We present the results of two case studies conducted on the use of collaboration engineering in the context of the policy making processes. This result also involves a generic design of a policy making process in terms of elementary constructs from collaboration engineering, which has been arrived at using the action research approach. Before presenting these case studies, however, some theoretical background on policy-making processes and collaboration engineering is provided.

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24. P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Giving Meaning to Enterprise Architectures - Architecture Principles with ORM and ORC. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2006: OTM Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWeSOMe, CAMS, GADA, MIOS+INTEROP, ORM, PhDS, SeBGIS, SWWS, and WOSE 2006, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 1138-1147, Montpellier, France, October/November 2006. Springer, Berlin, Germany. doi:10.1007/11915072_17

    Rule-driven systems development emphasizes the use of formalized, declarative rules for the mainstay of its models. The basic underlying techniques are decades old, but now their application, that used to concern only operational system and process definition (business logic, data structure) is being extended to much higher-level items such as policies and architecture principles (we focus on the latter here). When using ORM and Object Role Calculus (ORC) for formal modelling 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 successful formalization, the quality of the principles as such can be improved. We provide some examples and discussion based on the analysis of principles taken from the The Open Group's Architecture Framework (TOGAF).

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25. P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. On the use of Object-Role Modelling to Model Active Domains. In J. Krogstie, T.A. Halpin, and H.A. Proper, editors, Proceedings of the Workshop on Exploring Modeling Methods for Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'06), held in conjunctiun with the 18th Conference on Advanced Information Systems (CAiSE'06), Luxembourg, Luxembourg, pages 473-484. Namur University Press, Namur, Belgium, 2006. ISBN-10: 2870375255

    Conceptual modelling methods such as Object-Role Modelling (ORM) have traditionally been developed with the aim of providing conceptual models of database structures. More recently, however, such modelling languages have shown their use for modelling (the ontology) of domains in general. In these latter cases, the modelling effort results in a (formally based) conceptual reasoning systems using a domain calculus on top of a domain grammar. As the title suggests, this paper is primarily concerned with the application of ORM 'rigour' to the modelling of active domains. In doing so, we will position the logbook paradigm as a history-oriented extension of the traditional natural language approach of ORM, and define an accompanying domain calculus (the Object-Role Calculus) which is suitable to deal with active domains. Finally, we will show how specific views (with dedicated notations), which zoom in on different aspects (such as flow of activities and actor involvement) of active domains, can easily be derived.

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26. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, and Th.P. van der Weide. Quality Makes the Information Market. In R. Meersman and Z. Tari, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2006: CoopIS, DOA, GADA and ODBASE, Proceedings, Part I, Montpellier, France, volume 4275 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 345-359. Springer, Berlin, Germany, October/November 2006.

    In this paper we consider information exchange via the Web to be an information market. The notion of quality plays an important role on this information market. We present a model of quality and discuss how this model can be operationalized.

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27. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. Schema Equivalence as a Counting Problem. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2005: OTM Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWeSOMe, CAMS, GADA, MIOS+INTEROP, ORM, PhDS, SeBGIS, SWWS, and WOSE 2005, Agia Napa, Cyprus, volume 3762 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 730-739. Springer, Berlin, Germany, October/November 2005. ISBN-10: 3540297391 doi:10.1007/11575863_92

    In this paper we introduce some terminology for comparing the expressiveness of conceptual data modeling techniques, such as ER, NIAM, PSM and ORM, that are finitely bounded by their underlying domains. Next we consider schema equivalence and discuss the effects of the sizes of the underlying domains.This leads to the introduction of the concept of finite equivalence, which may serve as a means to a better understanding of the fundamentals of modeling concepts (utility). We give some examples of finite equivalence and inequivalence in the context of ORM.

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28. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. Modelling as Selection of Interpretation. In H.C. Mayr and H. Breu, editors, Modellierung 2006, volume P82 of Lecture Notes in Informatics, pages 223-232, Bonn, Germany, March 2006. Gesellschaft für Informatik. ISBN-10: 3885791765

    This paper reports on a research effort to better understand the act of modelling. In this paper we describe a formal framework by which the process of modelling can be regarded as involving the selection of more and more refined interpretations in terms of the underlying meta-model of the modelling language used. The resulting framework will be used to create a laboratory setup in which we can more closely study (and support) modelling processes.

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29. H.A. Proper, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and Th.P. van der Weide. A Fact-Oriented Approach to Activity Modeling. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2005: OTM Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWeSOMe, CAMS, GADA, MIOS+INTEROP, ORM, PhDS, SeBGIS, SWWS, and WOSE 2005, Agia Napa, Cyprus, volume 3762 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 666-675. Springer, Berlin, Germany, October/November 2005. ISBN-10: 3540297391 doi:10.1007/11575863_86

    In this paper we investigate the idea of using an ORM model as a starting point to derive an activity model, essentially providing an activity view on the original ORM model. When producing an ORM model of an inherently active domain, the resulting ORM model can provide an appropriate base to start out from. We will illustrate this basic idea by means of a running example. Much work remains to be done, but the results so-far look promissing.

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30. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Towards explicit strategies for modeling. In T.A. Halpin, K. Siau, and J. Krogstie, editors, Proceedings of the 10th Workshop on Evaluating Modeling Methods for Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'05), held in conjunctiun with the 17th Conference on Advanced Information Systems (CAiSE'05), Porto, Portugal, pages 485-492. FEUP, Porto, Portugal, 2005. ISBN-10: 9727520774

    We present an initial framework resulting from our ongoing research concerning modelling strategies. Our approach is rooted in a subjectivist, communication-based view on modelling. Under this approach, models are viewed as the result of modelling dialogues, which are a specialized sub-type of the diverse conversations that constitute a system development conversation at large. By focussing on the process of modelling instead of properties of models or modelling languages, we expect, eventually, to be able to better understand and deal with some currently problematic aspects of modelling, in particular model validation in context. We sketch plans for an environment for studying modelling conversations and strategies.

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31. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Formal Modelling as a Grounded Conversation. In G. Goldkuhl, M. Lind, and S. Haraldson, editors, Proceedings of the 10th International Working Conference on t he Language Action Perspective on Communication Modelling (LAP`05), pages 139-155, Kiruna, Sweden, June 2005. Linköpings Universitet and Hogskolan I Boras, Linköping, Sweden.

    As part of an ongoing, broader theoretical study concerning a communication/conversation perspective on information system development, we focus in this paper on a specific sort of conversation in IS modelling: conversations for formal modelling, which are to bridge the gap between informal (NL-based) and formal (mathematics-based) representations and interpretations. We provide a communication-based analysis of the formal modelling process, and discuss why it is crucial that the (formal) structures in the various kinds of models are somehow grounded in the structures of agreement/commitment that underly the development conversations. We explain how looking at modelling as communicative behaviour may help achieve grounded models, thereby improving their validity in context.

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32. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Fact Calculus: Using ORM and Lisa-D to Reason About Domains. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2005: OTM Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWeSOMe, CAMS, GADA, MIOS+INTEROP, ORM, PhDS, SeBGIS, SWWS, and WOSE 2005, volume 3762 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 720-729, Agia Napa, Cyprus, October/November 2005. Springer, Berlin, Germany. ISBN-10: 3540297391 doi:10.1007/11575863_91

    We propose to use ORM and Lisa-D as means to formally reason about domains. Conceptual rule languages such as Lisa-D, RIDL and ConQuer allow for the specification of rules in a semi-natural language format that can more easily be understood by domain experts than languages such as predicate calculus, Z or OCL. If one would indeed be able to reason about properties of domains in terms of Lisa-D expressions, then this reasoning would be likely to be better accessible to people without a background in formal mathematics, such as 'the average' domain expert. A potential application domain for such reasoning would be the field of business rules. If we can reason about business rules formulated in a semi-natural language format, the formal equivalence of (sets of) business rules (i.e. various paraphrasings) can be discussed with domain experts in a language and a fashion that is familiar to them.

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33. P. van Bommel, B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, E.D. Schabell, M. van Vliet, and Th.P. van der Weide. Towards an Information Market Paradigm. In O. Belo, J. Eder, O. Pastor, and J. Falcao e Cunha, editors, Forum proceedings of the 17th Conference on Advanced Information Systems 2005 (CAiSE 2005), pages 27-32, Porto, Portugal, June 2005. FEUP, Porto, Portugal. ISBN-10: 9727520782

    This paper discusses the concept of information market. The authors of this paper have been involved in several aspects of information retrieval research. In continuing this research tradition we now take a wider perspective on this field, and position it as a market where demand for information meets supply for information.

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34. P. van Bommel, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Exploring Modelling Strategies in a Meta-modelling Context. In R. Meersman, Z. Tari, and P. Herrero, editors, On the Move to Meaningful Internet Systems 2006: OTM 2006 Workshops - OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, AWESOMe, CAMS, COMINF, IS, KSinBIT, MIOS-CIAO, MONET, OnToContent, ORM, PerSys, OTM Acadamy Doctoral Consortium, RDDS, SWWS, and SebGIS, Proceedings, Part II, Montpellier, France, volume 4278 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 1128-1137. Springer, Berlin, Germany, October/November 2006.

    We are concerned 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 modelling 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 the 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.

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35. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, and Paul de Vrieze. Transformation selection for aptness-based web retrieval. In H.E. Williams and G. Dobbie, editors, Proceedings of the Sixteenth Australasian Database Conference (ADC2005), Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, volume 39 of Conferences in Research and Practice in Information Technology Series, pages 115-124, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, January 2005. Australian Computer Society. ISBN-10: 192068221X

    A myriad of resources can be found on the Web today, and finding (topically) relevant resources for a given information need is a daunting task. Even if relevant resources can be found, they may not be apt for the searcher in a given context: some properties of the resource may be "wrong" for his current context. Suchissues can often be resolved by means of transformations. In this paper we discuss an algorithm for selecting candidate transformations for a given situation and present our first experiences with this algorithm.

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36. H.A. Proper, A.A. Verrijn-Stuart, and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Towards Utility-based Selection of Architecture-Modelling Concepts. In S. Hartmann and M. Stumptner, editors, Proceedings of the Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Conceptual Modelling (APCCM2005), Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, volume 42 of Conferences in Research and Practice in Information Technology Series, pages 25-36, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, January 2005. Australian Computer Society. ISBN-10: 1920682252

    In this paper we are concerned with the principles underlying the utility of modelling concepts, in particular in the context of architecture-modelling. Firstly, some basic concepts are discussed, in particular the relation between information, language, and modelling. Our primary area of application is the modelling of enterprise architectures and information system architectures, where the selection of concepts used to model different aspects very much depends on the specific concerns that need to be addressed. The approach is illustrated by a brief review of the relevant aspects of two existing frameworks for modelling of (software intensive) information systems and their architectures.

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37. H.A. Proper, A.I. Bleeker, and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Object-Role Modelling as a Domain Modelling Approach. In J. Grundspenkis and M. Kirikova, editors, Proceedings of the Workshop on Evaluating Modeling Methods for Systems Analysis and Design (EMMSAD'04), held in conjunctiun with the 16th Conference on Advanced Information Systems 2004 (CAiSE 2004),, volume 3, pages 317-328, Riga, Latvia, June 2004. Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. ISBN-10: 9984976718

    This paper focuses on the potential role of the Object-Role Modeling (ORM) approach to information modeling for the task of domain modeling. Domain modeling concerns obtaining and modeling the language (concepts, terminologies, ontologies) used by stakeholders to talk about a domain. Achieving conceptual clarity and consensus among stakeholders is an important yet often neglected part of system development, and requirements engineering in particular. This paper starts out with a brief discussion on the importance of domain modeling in system development. This is followed by an outline of the activities involved in proper domain modeling. We will then discuss why the ORM approach is, in principle, a good candidate for the tasks involved in domain modeling. This is further substantiated by a more detailed evaluation, both from a theoretical and a practical perspective.

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38. H.A. Proper and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Concept Evolution in Information System Evolution. In J. Gravis, A. Persson, and J. Stirna, editors, Forum proceedings of the 16th Conference on Advanced Information Systems 2004 (CAiSE 2004), Riga, Latvia, Riga, Latvia, pages 63-72, Riga, Latvia, June 2004. Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. ISBN-10: 998497670X

    We look at the evolution of information systems from the perspective of the evolution of domain languages. Many analysis and design approaches for information systems base themselves on techniques involving some sort of natural language analysis. However, the view on language underlying these approaches ignores several issues concerning the nature of language. We discuss these issues, against the background of a more linguistically viable version of the standard notion of `universe of discourse', and the notion of `environment of discourse'. We finish by sketching a direction for tackling some of the problems indicated and some initial results, centring round better organised communication about concepts (`linguistic meta-communication' and `conceptualisation').

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39. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers and H.A. Proper. A Communicative Perspective on Second Order Information Systems. In G.E. Lasker, editor, Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on System Research, Informatics and Cybernetics, Baden-Baden, Germany. IIAS, 2004.

    Abstract: We discuss our preliminary efforts to create a generic theoretical model of the socio-technical (information) systems that produce information systems (i.e. of second order information systems). We emphasize the importance of communication, language, and meta-language as factors in information system development processes and systems. Central are conversations related to the specification of information systems. Such conversations typically concern both formal and informal specification, and involve conceptual activities such as creation, adaptation, elicitation, informing, negotiation, validation, and committing. An integrated part of every specification process are conversations for conceptualization.

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40. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Understanding the Requirements on Modelling Techniques. In O. Pastor and J. Falcao e Cunha, editors, 17th International Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering, CAiSE 2005, Porto, Portugal, volume 3520 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 262-276. Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 2005. ISBN-10: 3540260951 doi:10.1007/11431855_19

    The focus of this paper is not on the requirements of an information system to be developed, but rather on the requirements that apply to the modelling techniques used during information system development. We claim that in past and present, many information systems modelling techniques have been developed without a proper understanding of the requirements that follow from the development processes in which these techniques are to be used. This paper provides a progress report on our research e.orts to obtain a fundamental understanding of the requirements mentioned. We discuss the underlying research issues, the research approach we use, the way of thinking (weltanschauung) that will be employed in finding the answers, and some first results.

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41. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. A Fundamental View on the Process of Conceptual Modeling. In L. Delcambre, C. Kop, H.C. Mayr, J. Mylopoulos, and O. Pastor, editors, Conceptual Modeling - ER 2005 - 24 International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, Klagenfurt, Austria, volume 3716 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 128-143. Springer, Berlin, Germany, Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 2005. ISBN-10: 3540293892 doi:10.1007/11568322_9

    In an ongoing effort to better understand the process of creating conceptual models (in particular formal ones), we present a fundamental view of the process of modeling. We base this view on the idea that participants in such a process are involved in a deliberate and goal-driven effort to share and reconcile representations of their personal conceptions of (parts of) the world. This effort takes the shape of a modeling dialogue, involving the use of controlled language. We thus take a fundamental approach to subjective aspects of modeling, as opposed to traditional approaches which essentially consider models as objective entities. We position and present our initial theory of modeling, and briefly discuss how we intend to validate and further develop it.

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42. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, and Th.P. van der Weide. Transformations in Information Supply. In J. Grundspenkis and M. Kirikova, editors, Proceedings of the Workshop on Web Information Systems Modelling (WISM`04), held in conjunctiun with the 16th Conference on Advanced Information Systems 2004 (CAiSE 2004), Riga, Latvia, volume 3, pages 60-78, Riga, Latvia, June 2004. Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. ISBN-10: 9984976718

    In this article, we present a model for transformation of resources in information supply. These transformations allow us to reason more flexibly about information supply, and in particular its heterogeneous nature. They allow us to change the form (e.g. report, abstract, summary) and format (e.g. PDF, DOC, HTML) of data resources found on the Web. In a retrieval context these transformations may be used to ensure that data resources are presented to the user in a form and format that is apt at that time.

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43. P. van Bommel, B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, M. van Vliet, and Th.P. van der Weide. The Information Market: Its Basic Concepts and Its Challenges. In A.H.H. Ngu, M. Kitsuregawa, E.J. Neuhold, J.-Y. Chung, and Q.Z. Sheng, editors, Web Information Systems Engineering - WISE 2005, New York, New York, volume 3806 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 577-583. Springer, Berlin, Germany, November 2005. ISBN-10: 3540300171 doi:10.1007/11581062_50

    This paper discusses the concept of information market. The authors of this paper have been involved in several aspects of information retrieval research. In continuing this research tradition we now take a wider perspective on this field and re-position it as a market where demand for information meets supply for information. The paper starts by exploring the notion of a market in general and is followed by a specialization of these considerations in the information market, where we will also position some of the existing work.

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44. A.I. Bleeker, H.A. Proper, and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. The Role of Concept Management in System Development - A practical and a theoretical perspective. In J. Grabis, A. Persson, and J. Stirna, editors, Forum proceedings of the 16th Conference on Advanced Information Systems 2004 (CAiSE 2004), Riga, Latvia, pages 73-82, Riga, Latvia, June 2004. Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. ISBN-10: 998497670X

    In this article we argue the need for proper concept management during the development of software systems. It is observed how, during system development, a lot of "concept handling" occurs without proper management. We define concept management as the deliberate activity of introducing, evolving and retiring concepts. It is argued that concept management plays an important role during the entire system development life cycle. The notion of concept management is discussed and elaborated from both a theoretical perspective and a practical perspective. The latter perspective considers concept management in the context of the software development practice of a Dutch IT consultancy firm.

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45. G.E. Veldhuijzen van Zanten, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. System Development as a Rational Communicative Process. In N. Callaos, D. Farsi, M. Eshagian-Wilner, T. Hanratty, and N. Rish, editors, Proceedings of the 7th World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, volume XVI, pages 126-130, July 2003. ISBN-10: 9806560019

    System development is a process in which communication plays an important role. Requirements must be elicited from various stakeholders. But stakeholders also make decisions and must understand the consequences thereof. Different viewpoints must be reconciled, and agreements reached. An important assumption we make is that all actions in the development process are (or should be) based on rational decisions. The quest for rationality is a driving force behind the communication that takes place within the development process, because it raises issues that may otherwise have remained in the subconsciousness of stakeholders. We zoom in on the role of vagueness in communication, and argue that there are good reasons not to try and formalize things too soon in the development process. The purpose of this paper is to position our ongoing research, encourage discussion about the assumptions we make, and inspire novel approaches to system development. We work towards a comprehensive theory of rational system development, in which due attention is paid to development processes, communication, and the representations used therein.

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46. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, and P. van Bommel. Towards a General Theory for Information Supply. In C. Stephanidis, editor, Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, pages 720-724, 2003. ISBN-10: 0805849300

    The Web has grown considerably over the last few years, both in size and in nature. The usage of the internet as a source of information has grown considerably as well. However, finding the right information is not always straight forward. For example, how to go about finding out how many concerts the band Golden Earring gave in the year 1987, or finding out which webpages are inspired by Terry Pratchett s Diskworld novels? Even though much effort has been invested in this area, we feel that a solid, conceptual framework for information supply is still missing. In this paper we broadly define such a framework, and explain how it can be used in e.g. Web Retrieval by means of an example. We also explain which areas need more research and what can be expected in the (near) future.

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47. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, and E.D. Schabell. Profile-based retrieval on the World Wide Web. In P.M.E. de Bra, editor, Proceedings of the Conferentie Informatiewetenschap (INFWET2003), pages 91-98, 2003.

    In this article we present a novel architecture for Information Retrieval on the Web called VIMES. This architecture is based on a broader definition of relevance. This broader definition lies in the fact that there is more then just topical relevance. Documents (or: resources) must also confirm to other constraints with regard to form, format and also things like price and quality.

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48. H.A. Proper. Architecture-driven Information System Development - Toward a framework for understanding. In N. Callaos, D. Farsi, M. Eshagian-Wilner, T. Hanratty, and N. Rish, editors, Proceedings of the 7th World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, volume XVI, pages 144-149, July 2003. ISBN-10: 9806560019

    This article discusses a conceptual framework for architecture-driven information system development. Rather than defining a completely new framework, the conceptual framework is synthesized out of relevant pre-existing frameworks for system development and architecture. Before discussing the actual framework, we briefly discuss the necessity for an architecture-driven approach to system development.

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49. H. Jonkers, G.E. Veldhuijzen van Zanten, R. van Buuren, F. Arbab, F. de Boer, M. Bonsangue, H. Bosma, H. ter Doest, L. Groenewegen, J. Guillen Scholten, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, M.-E. Iacob, W. Janssen, M.M. Lankhorst, D. van Leeuwen, H.A. Proper, A. Stam, and L. van der Torre. Towards a Language for Coherent Enterprise Architecture Descriptions. In M. Steen and B.R. Bryant, editors, 7th IEEE International Enterprise Distributed Object Computing Conference (EDOC 2003), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, pages 28-39, Los Alamitos, California, September 2003. IEEE. ISBN-10: 0769519946

    A coherent description of an enterprise architecture provides insight, enables communication among stakeholders and guides complicated change processes. Unfortunately, so far no enterprise architecture description language exists that fully enables integrated enterprise modelling, because for each architectural domain, architects use their own modelling techniques and concepts, tool support, visualisation techniques, etc. In this paper we outline such an integrated language and we identify and study concepts that relate architectural domains. In our language concepts for describing the relationships between architecture descriptions at the business, application, and technology levels play a central role, related to the ubiquitous problem of business-IT alignment, whereas for each architectural domain we conform to existing languages or standards such as UML. In particular, usage of services offered by one layer to another plays an important role in relating the behaviour aspects of the layers. The structural aspects of the layers are linked through the interface concept, and the information aspects through realisation relations.

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50. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. Information coverage - Incrementally satisfying a searcher`s information need. In C. Stephanidis, editor, Universal Acces in HCI: Towards an Information Society for All, pages 719-722, Hillsdale, New Jersey, August 2001. Lawrence Erlbaum. ISBN-10: 0805836098

    The Internet has become the virtual reality of mankind - a world that we shape without many of the imperfections of reality. We can jump to literally every place in no time and reach every resource anywhere anytime. In particular this last promise of information at your fingertips is under siege. The growing complexity of information space overwhelms the wired consumer and the vast increase in information is outpacing the improvement of retrieval tools.

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51. A. Stam and H.A. Proper. Improving Architectures by Simulation and Animation. In D.B.B. Rijsenbrij, editor, Proceedings of the Second National Architecture Congres, November 2000.

    In this paper we present our ideas about using simulation and animation techniques to improve the understanding and the quality of architectures. We discuss the meaning of validation and verification for architectures and the value of simulation and animation in this context. We give an outline of what is needed in order to simulate systems based on their architecture and what can be accomplished by doing so. A small example is given to illustrate our ideas.

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52. H.A. Proper, H. Bosma, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and R.D.T. Janssen. Towards an Information Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge. In D.B.B. Rijsenbrij, editor, Proceedings of the Second National Architecture Congres, November 2000.

    Though there may be millions of professionals worldwide acting as a designer, architect, or engineer in the design, realisation, and implementation of information systems, there is not yet a well established and clearly identified body of knowledge that can be said to define the profession. In this article, we present the idea of developing an information systems engineering body of knowledge. Such a body of knowledge could play a pivotal role in the further professionalisation of our discipline. The approach we take is an organic approach in which we first aim to gather a library with significant knowledge, demarcating the field, and then move on to integrate this into a consistent body of knowledge. We also realise that this effort can not be done in isolation. This article should therefore also be regarded as an invitation for additional participants.

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53. H.A. Proper, H. Bosma, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and R.D.T. Janssen. An Alignment Perspective on Architecture-driven Information Systems Engineering. In D.B.B. Rijsenbrij, editor, Proceedings of the Second National Architecture Congres, November 2000.

    This article provides a discussion on architecture-driven information systems engineering from a Business-IT alignment perspective. We do so by trying to develop a more fundamental understanding of the essence of Business-IT alignment. We try to find this understanding by viewing Business-IT alignment as the alignment between two co-evolving systems. An alignment that should take place at the strategic, the tactical as well as the operational level of these systems.

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54. A.P. Barros, A.H.M. ter Hofstede, and H.A. Proper. Essential Principles for Workflow Modelling Effectiveness. In G.G. Gable and R.A.G. Webber, editors, Proceedings of the Third Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS`97), pages 137-147, April 1997.

    By incorporating aspects of coordination and collaboration, workflow implementations of information systems require a sound conceptualisation of business processing semantics. Traditionally, the success of conceptual modelling techniques has depended largely on the adequacy of conceptualisation, expressive power, comprehensibility and formal foundation. An equally important requirement, particularly with the increased conceptualisation of business aspects, is business suitability. In this paper, the focus is on the business suitability of workflow modelling for a commonly encountered class of (operational) business processing, e.g. those of insurance claims, bank loans and land conveyancing. A general assessment is first conducted on some integrated techniques characterising well-known paradigms - structured process modelling, object-oriented modelling, behavioural process modelling and business-oriented modelling. Through this, an insight into business suitability within the broader perspective of technique adequacy, is gained. A specific business suitability diagnosis then follows using a particular characterisation of business processing, i.e. one where the intuitive semantics and inter-relationship of business services and business processes are nuanced. As a result, five business suitability principles are elicited. These are proposed for a more detailed understanding and (synthetic) development of workflow modelling techniques. Accordingly, further insight into workflow specification languages and workflow globalisation in open distributed architectures may also be gained.

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55. A.P. Barros, A.H.M. ter Hofstede, and H.A. Proper. Towards Real-Scale Business Transaction Workflow Modelling. In A. Olivé and J.A. Pastor, editors, Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference CAiSE`97 on Advanced Information Systems Engineering, Barcelona, Spain, volume 1250 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 437-450. Springer, Berlin, Germany, June 1997. ISBN-10: 3540631070

    While the specification languages of workflow management systems focus on process execution semantics, the successful development of workflows relies on a fuller conceptualisation of business processing, including process semantics. For this, a wellspring of modelling techniques, paradigms and informal-formal method extensions which address the analysis of organisational processing structures (enterprise modelling) and communication (based on speech-act theory), is available. However, the characterisations - indeed the cognition - of workflows still appears coarse. In this paper, we provide the complementary, empirical insight of a real-scale business transaction workflow. The development of the workflow model follows a set of principles which we believe address workflow modelling suitability. Through the principles, advanced considerations including asynchronous as well as synchronous messaging, temporal constraints and a service-oriented perspective are motivated. By illustrating the suitability principles and with it the inherent complexity of business transaction domains, we offer timely insights into workflow specification extension, and workflow reuse and deployment.

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56. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Exploring Fact Verbalisations for Conceptual Query Formulation. In R.P. van der Riet, J.F.M. Burg, and A.J. van der Vos, editors, Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Applications of Natural Language to Databases (NLDB`96), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pages 40-51, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 1996. IOS Press. ISBN-10: 9051992734

    An increasing number of conceptual modelling techniques use verbalisation of sample data to derive a model for the given universe of discourse (the problem domain). The underlying assumption is that by elaborate verbalisation of samples taken from the universe of discourse one can elicit an overview of the concepts relevant for the universe of discourse and their interrelationships. In each of these approaches, information modelling is considered as a process leading to some form of an information grammar that describes the expert language; the language used to communicate in the universe of discourse. In this article we start by discussing a mechanism to support these verbalisations and associated information grammar. We then show how to mine the richness of the verbalisations in the context of a conceptual query language. It is shown how these verbalisations lead to formulations that closely resemble the expert language.

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57. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Computer Supported Query Formulation in an Evolving Context. In R. Sacks-Davis and J. Zobel, editors, Proceedings of the Sixth Australasian Database Conference, ADC`95, volume 17(2) of Australian Computer Science Communications, pages 188-202, January 1995.

    Even if high-level query languages are used, query formulation may cause problems. This is notably so in case of large and complex application domains. Typical examples of these kinds of application domains are evolving application domains. In an evolving application domain not only populations may change, but also the conceptual schema. Even more, the history of the application domain should be recorded, and be retrievable. This paper focuses on support for query formulation in the context of large conceptual schemata. The solution presented uses the idea of query-by-navigation in conjunction with query-by-construction. First this idea is illustrated by means of some examples, then it is formally defined.

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58. T.A. Halpin and H.A. Proper. Database schema transformation and optimization. In M.P. Papazoglou, editor, Proceedings of the OOER`95, 14th International Object-Oriented and Entity-Relationship Modelling Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, volume 1021 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 191-203. Springer, Berlin, Germany, December 1995.

    An application structure is best modelled first as a conceptual schema, and then mapped to an internal schema for the, conceptual schemas often map to different internal schemas, so performance may be improved by applying conceptual transformations prior to the standard mapping. This paper discusses recent advances in theory of schema transformation and optimization within the framework of ORM (Object-Role Modelling). New aspects include object relativity, complex types, a high level transformation language and update distributivity.

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59. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. A Conceptual Language for the Description and Manipulation of Complex Information Models. In G. Gupta, editor, Seventeenth Annual Computer Science Conference, volume 16 of Australian Computer Science Communications, pages 157-167, Christchurch, New Zealand, January 1994. University of Canterbury. ISBN-10: 047302313

    Conceptual data modelling techniques aim at the representation of data (structures) at a high level of abstraction. This implies that conceptual data modelling techniques should not only be capable of representing complex structures in a natural way, but also the rules (constraints) that must hold for these structures. Contemporary data modelling techniques, however, do not provide a language which, on the one hand, has a formal semantics and, on the other hand, leads to natural looking expressions. In this paper, an informal introduction to such a language (LISA-D) for the data modelling technique (PSM), is presented. PSM is a generalisation of object-role models (such as ER, NIAM and FORM).

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60. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Supporting Information Disclosure in an Evolving Environment. In D. Karagiannis, editor, Proceedings of the 5th International Conference DEXA`94 on Database and Expert Systems Applications, Athens, Greece, volume 856 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 433-444. Springer, Berlin, Germany, September 1994. ISBN-10: 3540584358

    Even if high-level query languages are used, query formulation may cause problems. This is notably so in case of large and complex application domains. Typical examples of these kinds of application domains are evolving application domains. In an evolving application domain not only populations may change, but also the conceptual schema. Even more, the history of the application domain should be recorded, and be retrievable. This paper focuses on support for query formulation in the context of large conceptual schemata. The solution presented uses the idea of query-by-navigation in conjunction with query-by-construction. First this idea is illustrated by means of some examples, then it is formally defined.

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61. C.A.J. Burgers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. An Information System organized as Stratified Hypermedia. In N. Prakash, editor, CISMOD94, International Conference on Information Systems and Management of Data, pages 159-183, October 1994.

    In this paper we investigate the relation between modern hypertext approaches and conventional data modelling techniques, such as PSM. We show how query formulation in a traditional information system can be regarded as a stratified hypermedia featuring two levels of abstraction. The first level of abstraction covers the structure of the stored information, and the second level the information itself. The investigations provide us with the mechanism of query by navigation as a novel avenue for improved query formulation in information systems.

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62. S.J. Brouwer, C.L.J. Martens, G.H.W.M. Bronts, and H.A. Proper. Towards a Unifying Object Role Modelling Approach. In T.A. Halpin and R. Meersman, editors, Proceedings of the First International Conference on Object-Role Modelling (ORM-1), pages 259-273, Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia, July 1994. Key Centre for Software Technology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

    In this article we briefly present the idea of defining a kernel for object role modelling techniques, upon which different drawing styles can be based. We propose such a kernel (the ORM kernel) and define, as a case study, an ER and a NIAM drawing style on top of it. One of the prominent advantages of such a kernel is the possibility to build a CASE-tool supporting multiple methods. Such a CASE-tool would allow users with different methodological backgrounds to use it and view the modelled domains in terms of their favourite method. This is illustrated using a running example of a concrete domain in which we use the ORM kernel in combination with the NIAM and ER drawing style.

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63. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. Towards a General Theory for the Evolution of Application Models. In M.E. Orlowska and M.P. Papazoglou, editors, Proceedings of the Fourth Australian Database Conference, Advances in Database Research, pages 346-362, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, February 1993. World Scientific. ISBN-10: 981021331X

    In this article we focus on evolving information systems. First a delimitation of the concept of evolution is discussed. The main result is a first attempt to a general theory for such evolution. In this theory, the underlying data model is a parameter, making the theory applicable for a wide range of modelling techniques.

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64. H.A. Proper. Towards an Integration of Evolving Information Systems and CASE-Tools. In S. Brinkkemper and F. Harmsen, editors, Proceedings of the Fourth Workshop on the Next Generation of CASE Tools, pages 23-33, June 1993.

    In this article, CASE-Tool technology is linked to the research concerning evolving information systems. First, an introduction to the notion of evolving information system is provided. Then, CASE-Tools and evolving information systems are related to each other from two different points of view, by looking how each one can server the other.

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65. C.A.J. Burgers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Organising an Information System as Stratified Hypermedia. In H.A. Wijshoff, editor, Proceedings of the Computing Science in the Netherlands Conference, pages 109-120, November 1993.

    In this paper we investigate a relation between modern hypertext approaches and conventional data modelling techniques, such as PSM. This relation provides us with the mechanism of query by navigation, in order to facilitate the query formulation problem.

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66. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Data Modelling in Complex Application Domains. In P. Loucopoulos, editor, Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference CAiSE`92 on Advanced Information Systems Engineering, Manchester, United Kingdom, volume 593 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 364-377. Springer, Berlin, Germany, May 1992.

    In many non trivial application domains, object types with a complex structure occur. Data modelling techniques which only allow flat structures are not suitable for representing such complex object types. In this paper a general data modelling technique, the Predicator Set Model, is introduced, which is capable of representing complex structures in a natural way. The expressiveness of the Predicator Set Model is illustrated by means of a number of examples. In those examples, the Predicator Set Model's expressiveness is related to the expressiveness of more traditional modelling techniques. Furthermore, some notational conventions are defined, which enable a more compact representation of complex structures.

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67. E.D. Falkenberg, J.L.H. Oei, and H.A. Proper. Evolving Information Systems: Beyond Temporal Information Systems. In A.M. Tjoa and I. Ramos, editors, Proceedings of the Data Base and Expert System Applications Conference (DEXA`92), Valencia, Spain, pages 282-287. Springer, Berlin, Germany, September 1992. ISBN-10: 3211824006

    Nowadays, in order for an organisation to be competitive, it must be able to adapt quickly to its dynamic environment. In this paper, we discuss the need for information systems which are capable to evolve to the same extent as organisations do. Requirements of evolving organisations on their information systems are identified, followed by alternative approaches to adequate information systems development life cycles. We adopt an evolutionary approach resulting in so-called evolving information systems. On the basis of requirements and an architecture for these evolving information systems, the distinction from traditional information systems is explained. Traditional information systems, including temporal information systems, appear to be degenerations of our evolving information systems. A conceptual framework for update in evolving information systems is derived from the requirements. An event level, a recording level and a correction level are distinguished in this framework for update.

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68. E.D. Falkenberg, J.L.H. Oei, and H.A. Proper. A Conceptual Framework for Evolving Information Systems. In H.G. Sol and R.L. Crosslin, editors, Dynamic Modelling of Information Systems II, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pages 353-375. North-Holland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1992. ISBN-10: 0444894055

    In this paper, we will treat evolving information systems, which support the information needs of an evolving organization. Such a system is able to change at the same pace as the organization does, such that there is no need to interrupt the activities of the organization. Such a system supports changes of all time- and application-dependent aspects. We will present a conceptual framework of an approach to evolving information systems. The architecture of such a system will be explained, where we will make disctinctions between meta model and application model, and between world, action and behavioural aspects of these models. Furthermore, evolution management of application models will be discussed, whereby update is regarded as recording, correction or forgetting, and whereby state transitions are considered on three different levels, viz. the organizational level, the recording level and the correction level. A formal specification of this approach to evolution management will be provided too.

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Educational publications

1. V. Kamphuis, H.A. Proper, and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Informatiekunde 2003 - Visie. Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2003. In Dutch.

   Dit document heeft betrekking op de visies die ten grondslag liggen aan het informatiekunde onderwijs en onderzoek binnen het Nijmeegs Instituut voor Informatica en Informatiekunde (NIII). Het uiteindelijke doel van dit document is het bieden van een 'repository' met betrekking tot deze visies, en een basis voor de specifieke inrichting van het curriculum van de opleiding en de onderzoeksplannen. Daar informatiekunde voor het NIII een relatief nieuwe opleiding en onderzoeksgebied is, is er in de huidige (2003) versie van dit document primair aandacht voor de informatiekunde opleiding. Het ligt in de lijn der verwachtingen dat er in de komende jaren, in updates van dit document, ook meer aandacht besteed zal worden aan het informatiekunde onderzoek.

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2. V. Kamphuis, H.A. Proper, and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Informatiekunde 2003 - Curriculum. Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2003. In Dutch.

   Dit document heeft betrekking op het curriculum van de opleiding informatiekunde van het Nijmeegs Instituut voor Informatica en Informatiekunde (NIII). Het doel is het bieden van een 'repository' met betrekking tot de inrichting van het curriculum wat vanaf 2003 zal gaan gelden. In de afgelopen drie jaar is zowel op landelijk als op Nijmeegs niveau het beeld van informatiekunde als vakgebied nader geconcretiseerd. Het Curriculum 2003 is enerzijds het resultaat van deze concretisering en anderzijds van de drie jaar ervaring die inmiddels binnen het NIII is opgebouwd met de informatiekunde opleiding. In dit document zal daarom ook expliciet aandacht besteed worden aan de 'migratie' vanuit de bestaande 'opstart' curricula: 2000, 2001 en 2002. Hierbij moet opgemerkt worden dat de studenten van cohort 2000 in principe dit jaar (2003) de bachelorfase van de Informatiekunde opleiding afronden. Voor deze lichting studenten is dus geen specifieke 'migratie' nodig.

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Lecture-Notes

1. H.A. Proper. An Overview of the DaVinci Series. DaVinci Series. Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2005.
   
   
2. H.A. Proper. Architecture-driven Information Systems Engineering. DaVinci Series. Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2004.
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Professional publications

1. H.A. Proper and R. Tolido. Architecten eindelijk aan standaarden. Automatiseringsgids, pages 16-17, 27 Maart 2009. In Dutch.
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2. M.M. Lankhorst, H.A. Proper, and S. Bekius. IT-innovatie alleen door samenwerking. Automatisering Gids, (19), 2009. In Dutch.

   De financiering en organisatie van toegepast onderzoek in ICT zijn aan een grondige opknapbeurt toe, zeggen Marc Lankhorst, Erik Proper en Saco Bekius. De klassieke tegenstelling tussen `academisch' en `commercieel' moet plaatsmaken voor `wetenschappelijk' en `zakelijk'. De auteurs laten zien wat er moet gebeuren om tot een betere samenwerking te komen tussen de universitaire wereld en het bedrijfsleven.

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3. M.M. Lankhorst, H. Jonkers, and H.A. Proper. ArchiMate internationaal succes. Automatiseringsgids, pages 18-19, 27 Maart 2009. In Dutch.
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4. Jonkers H. Iacob, M.-E., M.M. Lankhorst, and H.A. Proper. Internationale Standaard - ArchiMate 1.0 is nieuwe modelleertaal voor enterprise architectuur. Business Process Magazine, (4):34-39, June 2009. In Dutch.

   The Open Group werkt al jaren aan standaarden. Eerst waren dat standaarden op het gebied van protocollen en operating systems. Sinds het einde van de jaren negentig richt men zich ook op standaarden voor het werk van architecten.

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5. D. van Gelder, M. Mahakena, H.A. Proper, and R. Tolido. Broodnodige standaardisering - TOGAF 9 is ferme stap op weg naar volwassenheid. Business Process Magazine, (4):30-33, June 2009. In Dutch.

   Het consortium The Open Group heeft een lange historie met het ontwikkelen van standaards. Het begon allemaal ruim 20 jaar geleden met standaards op het gebied van protocollen en besturingssystemen. Sinds het 1994 richt men zich echter steeds meer op standaards rond het werk van architecten. Daarbij lag de initiële focus vooral op "IT-architectuur", maar later werd de blik verruimd, en kwam ook "business-architectuur" aan bod

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6. H.A. Proper. Veranderende wetten uitdaging voor IT'ers (In Dutch). Reformatorisch Dagblad, (zaterdag 9 juni):15, 2007.

   In een recent artikel in Trouw (4 juni) valt te lezen hoe de overheid zou smijten met geld voor gebrekkige software. Prof. dr. H. A. Proper vraagt zich af hoe groot het probleem is en zoekt eventuele oorzaken.

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7. D. Greefhorst, H.A. Proper, and F. van den Ham. Principes: de hoeksteen voor architectuur - Verslag van een workshop op het Landelijk Architectuur Congres 2007 (Principles: The Cornerstone of Architecture - A report of a workshop held at the Dutch National Architecture Congres 2007. Via Nova Architectura, 2007. In Dutch. http://www.via-nova-architectura.org

   Het gebied van architectuurprincipes is nog relatief ontgonnen. Er is nog geen overeenstemming over wat architectuurprincipes precies zijn, wat voor soorten architectuurprincipes worden onderkend, hoe je architectuurprincipes beschrijft en hoe je precies tot architectuurprincipes komt. Op het Landelijk Architectuur Congres 2007 is er daarom een workshop over dit onderwerp georganiseerd. Dit artikel is een verslag van die workshop.

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8. G.J.N.M. Chorus, Y.H.C. Janse, C.J.P. Nellen, S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, and H.A. Proper. Formalizing Architecture Principles using Object-Role Modelling. Via Nova Architectura, February 2007. http://www.via-nova-architectura.org

   This technical report is the result of two experiments conducted as part of an ongoing research effort to formalize architecture principles. The experiment involves a first, and modest, evaluation of the use of ORM and ORC as a means to formalize and ground architecture principles. The experiments involve the evaluation of the use of ORM and ORC to formalize the example principles provided by the TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) and principles taken from industrial practice.

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9. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and D.B.B. Rijsenbrij. Grondslagen en Toepassingen voor Intelligente Kennisuitwisseling. IT Monitor, 9(10):8-11, November 2006. In Dutch.

   Het belang van kennis en in het bijzonder kennisuitwisseling wordt steeds groter voor organisaties. In het medische domein blijkt dat medisch specialisten vandaag de dag continue veranderingen in de aard van de gezondheidszorg ervaren. De praktijk verandert dagelijks, gedocumenteerd door duizenden wetenschappelijke medische vakbladen. Behandelingen vinden plaats in meer gevarieerde werkomgevingen en patienten brengen minder tijd door in ziekenhuizen. In dit werkklimaat heeft een medisch specialist behoefte aan meer kennis dan ooit tevoren om tegemoet te komen aan de behoeften van de patient. Steeds meer professionals begeven zich buiten de grenzen van de traditionele fysieke werkplekken en gedeelten van het dagelijks werk wordt volledig online uitgevoerd. Dit artikel focust op het verbeteren van kennisuitwisseling tussen professionals door middel van virtuele werkomgevingen. Voordat een dergelijke omgeving ontwikkeld kan worden, is begripsvorming nodig rondom de door een virtuele werkomgeving aan te bieden ondersteuning en dient de noodzaak van die ondersteuning helder te zijn.

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10. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and A.I. Bleeker. Modelleertalen als communicatiemiddel in architectuurprocessen. Informatie & Architectuur, 1(1):4-6, 2005. In Dutch.

    Binnen architectuurprocessen worden diverse modelleertalen gebruikt voor het vastleggen van en communiceren over architectuurbeschrijvingen. Voor de hand liggende voorbeelden van dit soort modelleertalen zijn UML, Testbed en de ArchiMate taal. Echter, natuurlijke taal, powerpointplaatjes met uitleg, etc., worden in de praktijk minstens even veel gebruikt voor dit soort doeleinden. Deze laatste vormen beschouwen wij daarom explicit ook als modelleertalen. Het verschil is hierbij dat bij talen zoals UML de syntactische vrijheid erg is ingeperkt, terwijl bijvoorbeeld in natuurlijke taal, of bij vrij geschetste illustraties, deze vrijheid een stuk groter is.

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11. V.E. van Reijswoud, R. van Alteren, and H.A. Proper. Ken je plekje - Geschikte ICT in ontwikkelingslanden. Informatie, 47(4):10-16, 2005. In Dutch.

    Er is meer aandacht nodig voor het gebruik van geschikte technologie (Appropriate Technology) om de toepassing van informatie en communicatie technologie (ICT) in ontwikkelingslanden succesvol te laten zijn. De auteurs verkennen het vakgebied en analyseren een aantal voorbeelden van alternatieve ICT toepassingen in ontwikkelingslanden op hun toepasbaarheid. In een drietal voorbeelden wordt aangegeven welke technologie er in de praktijk mogelijk bruikbaar is, welke overwegingen hieraan ten grondslag liggen, en wat hierbij de openstaande uitdagingen zijn.

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12. V.E. van Reijswoud and H.A. Proper. Struggling in the Bush: ICT-onderwijs in Oeganda. TINFON, 13(2):59-61, June 2004. In Dutch.

    Oeganda ligt in het hart van het Afrikaanse continenent en probeert vanuit een achterstandspositie aansluiting te vinden bij de rest van de wereld. De laatste jaren zijn een aantal grote economische initiatieven gelanceerd om deze aansluiting te realiseren. ICT speelt hierin een belangrijke rol. De dominante rol van ICT in Europa en Noord Amerika noopt ook Oeganda te investeren in een betrouwbare ICT infrastructuur. Dit voornemen heeft echter nogal wat voeten in aarde omdat er nauwelijks ICT kennis en ervaring met ICT projecten in het land aanwezig is. Universiteiten proberen deze leemte op te vullen, maar hoe gaat dat als er weinig gekwalificeerde docenten zijn? In dit artikel trachten de auteurs een situatieschets te geven van ICT onderwijs in Oeganda. Hierbij zal tevens ingegaan worden op enkele van de uitdagingen die er liggen op zowel het gebied van ICT kennisontwikkeling als op het gebied van het ICT onderwijs.

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13. H.A. Proper. Informatiekundigen in het Digitale Tijdperk. .ego - Magazine voor Informatiekundigen, 3(2):4, 2004. In Dutch.

    De afgelopen eeuw heeft voor een groot deel in het teken gestaan van de verdere ontwikkeling en uitbouw van de industri le samenleving. Inmiddels hebben we echter de eerste schreden gezet in een nieuw tijdperk; het digitale tijdperk. Ik spreek hierbij bewust niet over 'het informatietijdperk'. In de laatste decennia van de vorige eeuw was regelmatig te horen hoe we het industri le tijdperk achter ons zouden laten, en over zouden gaan naar 'het informatietijdperk'. Naar mijn mening liepen die uitspraken zo'n honderd honderdvijftig jaar achter de feiten aan. Mijns inziens is het informatietijdperk onlosmakelijk verbonden met de opkomst van het industri le tijdperk. Tegelijkertijd met de industrialisering, kwamen er steeds meer informatie- en documentstromen op gang om diezelfde samenleving in goede banen te leiden. Natuurlijk waren er voor de industrialisering ook al informatiestromen. Deze stromen kregen echter pas echt vorm toen de industrialisering eenmaal op gang kwam. Gaandeweg zijn er steeds meer organisaties ontstaan, zoals financi le instel lingen en regeluitvoerende instanties, die in essentie als grote informatieverwerkende fabrieken te zien zijn.

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14. H.A. Proper. Systeemontwikkeling is Evolutie. Informatie, 46(6):44-48, 2004. In Dutch.

    Traditioneel worden informatiesystemen ontwikkeld middels omvangrijke projecten. Het is echter maar de vraag inhoeverre een traditionele manier van denken in termen van projecten nog van toepassing is in onze moderne digitale samenleving. Dit artikel beoogt de achterliggende vragen nader te analyseren, en tracht de lezer aan te zetten tot nadenken over de rol van projecten in traditionele zin. Het doel van dit artikel is daarmee dus niet zo zeer om een concrete nieuwe werkwijze aan te dragen, maar eerder een discussie te starten over de essenti le uitdagingen bij informatiesysteemontwikkeling.

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15. H.A. Proper and V. Kamphuis. Informatiekundigen: Vormgevers van de digitale samenleving. TINFON, 12(4):106-109, December 2003. In Dutch.

    In dit artikel gaan we in op de visie die ten grondslag ligt aan de Nijmeegse Informatiekunde opleiding. We bespreken allereerst de ontwikkelingen in de samenleving die hebben geleid tot het ontstaan van het nieuwe wetenschapsgebied van de Informatiekunde, en de positionering van dit nieuwe wetenschapsgebied ten opzichte van het traditionele wetenschapsgebied van de Informatica. Vervolgens gaan we in op de eisen die worden gesteld aan een opleiding Informatiekunde, gesteld vanuit de toekomstige rol van Informatiekundigen in de maatschappij. Tot slot geven we een korte schets van de opleiding zoals die in Nijmegen met ingang van curriculum 2003 van start is gegaan.

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16. M.M. Lankhorst and H.A. Proper. Sturen door Inzicht. IT Monitor, (3):8-11, March 2003. In Dutch.

    Veel organisaties worstelen met het reageren op de snelle veranderingen in hun omgeving, gegeven de bestaande legacy van bedrijfsprocessen, applicaties en infrastructuur. Een goede architectuurpraktijk kan hierbij zeer behulpzaam zijn. Werken onder architectuur zorgt ervoor dat een organisatie beheersbaar kan omgaan met veranderingen in bedrijfsstrategie en ICTmogelijkheden. Het ontwikkelen en onderhouden van architecturen leidt tot efficiency, kostenbesparingen en flexibiliteit. Binnen bedrijven komen verschillende architecturen voor. Denk aan architecturen voor bedrijfsprocessen, applicaties, informatie en technische infrastructuur. Elk van die architecturen wordt beschreven en gevisualiseerd in een eigen vocabulaire. Deze specifieke modellen en visualisaties vereenvoudigen de communicatie, discussie en analyse binnen het architectuurgebied. Ieder architectuurgebied heeft echter zijn eigen taal, heeft zijn eigen beelden en gebruikt zijn eigen tools en technieken, waardoor veranderingen in andere domeinen niet zichtbaar worden.

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17. W.-J. van den Heuvel and H.A. Proper. De pragmatiek van Architectuur. Informatie, 44(11):12-14, 2002. In Dutch.

    Modelleermethoden, representatietalen en standaardisatie droegen de laatste jaren bij aan de betekenis van het concept architectuur. De pragmatiek van architectuur is tot nu toe onvoldoende belicht gebleven. In dit artikel wordt vanuit een pragmatisch perspectief naar architectuur gekeken. De IEEE-standaard 1471 bevat drie concepten waarmee orde wordt geschapen in de jungle van architectuurraamwerken. De auteurs doen een voorzet voor een contingentiemodel, voor het consistent en effectief toepassen van een raamwerk. Hiervoor dragen zij een aantal aspecten aan: scope, tijdhorizon, levenscyclusfase, abstractieniveau en domein.

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18. E.-J. Elferich, H.A. Proper, and A.P. de Vries. KennisIntegratie onder Architectuur. ID Nieuws, 6:10-12, March 2000. In Dutch.

    In veel organisaties speelt kennis tegenwoordig een steeds belangrijkere rol. Bedrijfsprocessen worden steeds kennisintensiever. Dit betekent dat het voor de uitvoerenden van deze processen belangrijker wordt dat zij op het juiste moment over de juiste kennis beschikken. Het begrip kenniswerker staat voor al die werknemers die kennis toepassen, aanleveren of managen. Er zijn dus meerdere soorten kenniswerkers te onderscheiden, respectievelijk de kennisgebruikers, kennisleveranciers en kennismanagers. Voor de IT-wereld is de uitdaging natuurlijk om applicaties te ontwikkelen die kenniswerkers kunnen ondersteunen bij het toepassen, aanleveren en managen van kennis ten behoeve van hun werkzaamheden.

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19. H.A. Proper. ISPL toegepast - Aanbestedingen van grootschalige migratieprojecten. ID Nieuws, 3:4-8, March 1999. In Dutch.

    Evolutie is een constante! Deze schijnbare tegenstelling is een bondige omschrijving van de condities waaronder veel ondernemingen tegenwoordig opereren. De liberalisering van markten, het verminderen van protectionisme, de privatisering van staatsbedrijven, de toenemende wereldwijze concurrentie, grensoverschrijdende bedrijfsfusies, het ontstaan van nieuwe economische blokken, de invoering van gemeenschappelijke munteenheden, zijn allemaal aspecten die bijdragen aan de dynamiek van het huidige ondernemersklimaat. Dit soort ontwikkelingen heeft organisaties er inmiddels toe gebracht om een ruime schakering aan migratieprojecten op te starten. Projecten die allemaal tot doel hebben om door het ICT-dilemma heen te breken, en bestaande informatiesystemen beter voor te bereiden op de toekomst. Dit maakt dergelijke migratieprojecten ook van toenemend strategisch belang. Wanneer het aantal lopende (migratie)projecten binnen een organisatie toeneemt, wordt de roep om adequaat management van de aanbesteding en uitvoering van dergelijke projecten groter. Als deze projecten dan ook nog van strategisch belang zijn, wordt deze roep nog verder versterkt. Het management van de uitbesteding en de uitvoering van migratieprojecten vereist richtlijnen voor zowel de klanten als de leveranciers van migratiediensten.

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20. H.A. Proper. Een derde dimensie voor informatiemodelleren. DB/Magazine, 10(3):52-55, May 1999. In Dutch.

    De vraag hoe om te gaan met complexiteit is een vraag die op verschillende plekken in een software ontwikkelproces terugkomt. In dit artikel richten we ons op de complexiteit zoals deze tijdens de eerste fasen van de software ontwikkeling cyclus (de analyse fase) in de informatiemodellen naar voren komt. Het doel van dit artikel is om de lezer een simpele en praktische aanpak aan te reiken voor het omgaan met complexiteit in informatiemodellen.

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21. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers and H.A. Proper. Knowledge Discovery - De zoektocht naar verhulde en onthulde kennis. DB/Magazine, 10(7):21-25, November 1999. In Dutch.

    Menigeen zal bij het woord knowledge discovery wellicht denken aan technologieën zoals search engines, agent technologie, mining tools, meta-data standaarden, query talen/protocollen, etc. Naar onze mening bestaat knowledge discovery, net als kennismanagement, echter uit beduidend meer dan de onderliggende technologie. In dit artikel benaderen we knowledge discovery om deze redenen dan ook juist vanuit een conceptueel perspectief. Het eerste doel van dit artikel is het verkrijgen van een beter begrip van knowledge discovery. Wat is het precies en wat kan ik ermee? Dit zullen we doen door referentie modellen op te stellen (in termen van een paradigma) die de essentiële mechanismen achter knowledge discovery op een conceptueel niveau weergeven. Deze referentiemodellen kunnen vervolgens tevens gebruikt worden om verschillende voor knowledge discovery relevante technologieën te positioneren: Waar past wat? Op basis van de referentiemodellen en de link naar de onderliggende technologie, kan een applicatiearchitect vervolgens knowledge discovery toepassingen ontwerpen en inpassen in bestaande applicatiearchitecturen.

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22. H.A. Proper. Kennismanagement onder architectuur. ID Nieuws, 2:5-7, November 1998. In Dutch.

    Kennismanagement is het jongste programma van ID Research. In dit artikel wordt u een nadere kennismaking met de visie van ID Research op kennismanagement geboden. Een belangrijk kenmerk van deze visie is dat informatie- en communicatietechnologie (ICT) 'slechts' als een enabler van kennismanagement wordt beschouwd, en dat kennismanagement duidelijk meer behelst dan een Intranet- of een groupware-applicatie.

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23. H.A. Proper. Flexibiliteit van informatiemodellen. Informatie, 40(4):28-33, 1998. In Dutch.

    Heden ten dage bevinden de meeste organisaties zich in een dynamische omgeving. Deze dynamiek dwingt een hoge mate van flexibiliteit van de organisaties af: 'evolve or die'. Het wegvallen van protectionisme, de deregulering van het internationale handelsverkeer, de invoering van nieuwe technologie, de privatisering van staatsbedrijven en de invoering van de Euro zijn allemaal voorbeelden van aspecten die deze dynamiek teweeg brengen. In de context van informatiemodelleren is het daarom relevant eens stil te staan bij de flexibiliteit van informatiemodellen. Immers, informatiemodellen worden gebruikt om de structuur van informatiesystemen vast te leggen. Wanneer we te maken hebben met een hoge mate van dynamiek, dan zal dit zo zijn effecten hebben op deze onderliggende informatiemodellen. Ontwerpers van informatiemodellen ontwerpen voor een deel hun eigen onderhoudslast, getuige de vele conversie-, jaar 2000- en Euro-problemen. Een informatiemodel dat vandaag van toepassing is, kan morgen alweer verouderd zijn. Het is als schieten op een bewegend doelwit. In dit artikel gaan we kort in op deze problematiek. Wat zijn de te verwachten knelpunten? Hoe moeten we daar in de praktijk nu mee omgaan? Dit artikel verkent een aantal van deze knelpunten en mogelijke oplossingsrichtingen.

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24. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. PSM: Datamodelleren in het Kwadraat. DB/Magazine, 3(4):37-41, June 1992. In Dutch.

    De huidige generatie van modelleringstechnieken schieten tekort voor het modelleren van complexe applicatiedomeinen. Voorbeelden van zulke applicatiedomeinen zijn: hypermedia-toepassingen, CAD/CAM systemen, en meta-modellering. Er is een stijgende behoefte aan modelleringstechnieken die het modelleren van dergelijke applicatiedomeinen ondersteunen. In dit artikel presenteren we PSM, een exponent van een nieuwe generatie van datamodelleringstechnieken, welke geschikt is voor het modelleren van complexe gegevensstructuren.

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Technical reports

1. S.J. Overbeek, P. van Bommel, and H.A. Proper. Bridging Supply and Demand for Knowledge Intensive Tasks. Technical Report ICIS-R08010, May 2008.

   Two main ingredients related to successful task performance are cognition and quality. Supply and demand of these concepts for knowledge intensive tasks are studied in this paper to fuel successful task fulfillment. Cognitive characteristics are supplied by actors performing tasks. Organizational developments such as growing complexity and increasing customer orientation may increase cognitive load. Stakeholders of tasks have quality requirements. These requirements may be affected if actors experience an increase in cognitive load. It is observed that knowledge intensive tasks demand cognitive characteristics and supply quality factors. Actors supply cognition and stakeholders demand quality. The gap between supply and demand can be bridged by introducing several models. These models consist of a matchmaking framework, conceptual models, and dynamic models. The matchmaking framework shows how supply and demand of cognitive characteristics or quality factors can be matched. Relations and roles of the concepts involved in task fulfillment are mapped out by the conceptual models. The dynamic models show causes that have effects on the supply of cognitive characteristics and the level of quality. These insights in the relations and dependencies between cognition and quality increase our understanding of the key concepts for successful task fulfillment.

   
   
2. R. Wagter, R. Stovers, G. Nijkamp, and H.A. Proper. GEA-processes and products, a closer examination. White Paper GEA-6, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.

   Processen en producten zijn twee van de vier onderdelen van GEA. Processen en producten zijn daarin elementen die niet los van elkaar kunnen worden gezien. De kern van GEA is niet het leveren van enterprise architectuurproducten, maar juist het permanent ondersteunen van de ontwikkeling van een organisatie door middel van ex ante (vooraf) sturing op samenhang. Passend bij haar missie, visie, strategie en doelstellingen.

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3. R. Wagter, G. Nijkamp, and H.A. Proper. Overview 1th Phase - General Enterprise Architecturing. White Paper GEA-1, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.
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4. R. Wagter, G. Nijkamp, , R. Stovers, and H.A. Proper. E-Government using GEA and NORA. White Paper GEA-4, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.
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5. R. Wagter, G. Nijkamp, and H.A. Proper. The Elements of the "GEA-Structure". White Paper GEA-2, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.
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6. R. Wagter, G. Nijkamp, and H.A. Proper. GEA-Benchmark: Measuring cohesion. White Paper GEA-3, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.
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7. R. Wagter, D. Witte, and H.A. Proper. The GEA architecture function: A strategic specialism. White Paper GEA-7, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.

   Over de positionering en de inhoud van de GEA architectuurfunctie kunnen slechts zinvolle uitspraken gedaan worden vanuit een heldere visie op het gebied van enterprise architectuur. Ook is het nodig dat deze visie is uitgewerkt naar concrete concepten, processen en producten. Als hieraan is voldaan, is er zicht op welke taken uitgevoerd en welke resultaten opgeleverd dienen te worden en binnen welke kaders dit dient plaats te vinden. De GEA visie, -concepten en de toetsing van de werking hiervan in een aantal praktijksituaties zijn uitgewerkt in white paper 1 tot en met 5. De vertaling hiervan naar GEA-processen en -producten is uitgewerkt in white paper 6. Zie Figuur 1. Nu komen wij toe aan het 4e kwadrant van Figuur 1 "de Mensen & Middelen", waarbij we ons nu eerst op het onderdeel "Mensen" concentreren.

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8. R. Wagter, G. Nijkamp, , and H.A. Proper. Applying GEA to a business issue. White Paper GEA-5, Ordina, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2007. In Dutch.
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9. J. Nabukenya, P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and G.-J. de Vreede. An Evaluation Instrument for Collaborative Processes: Application to Organizational Policy-Making . Technical Report ICIS-R07017, Radboud University Nijmegen, July 2007.

   Decision-making in organizations is guided by policies. Organizational policy-making is a complex process in which several parties are involved, with multiple backgrounds, incompatible interests, and diverging areas of interest, yet they all have to be brought together to produce an acceptable policy result. Therefore, we propose to use techniques from collaboration engineering (CE) in this context. There is hardly any experience with CE in the field of organizational policy-making. In order to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of CE in organizational policy-making, it is important to have a systematic evaluation instrument. We distinguish between general and domain-specific indicators. Moreover, we consider measurement means and operationalization tools, such that organizational policy-making stakeholders can apply our instrument in their own organization.

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10. J. Nabukenya, G.-J. de Vreede, and H.A. Proper. Research Methods for Collaboration Engineering: An Assessment of Applicability Using Collaborative Policy-Making Example. Technical Report ICIS-R07010, Radboud University Nijmegen, May 2007.

    Collaboration Engineering (CE) is a new field of research and practice which involves the design of recurring collaboration processes that are meant to cause predictable and success among organizations recurring mission-critical collaborative tasks. To measure the effectiveness of CE research efforts, we would need to use a research methodology. This article therefore provides an overview of selected research methods, and an assessment of their applicability to CE research using collaborative organizational policy-making processes as the primary example. This article also presents examples of research questions that can be answered in the CE research using the respective research methods.

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11. P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Structured Modeling with uncertainty. Technical Report ICIS-R07022, Radboud University Nijmegen, September 2007.

    This paper starts with the description of the modeling process as a dialog, and describes the associated formal functions, including the feedback supporting the growing mutual understanding. The dialog has a procedural and an informational aspect. For this latter a controlled grammar is used, that has a user friendly and a system friendly side. These sides are related via an elementary syntactical transformation. Assuming some elementary requirements on the dialog participants, we prove the main theorem for information modeling effectiveness. We also propose a system of metrics to support the modeling process. In terms of these metrics, modeling heuristics can be described and evaluated. We demonstrate our ideas by a simple sample session.

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12. B. van Gils and H.A. Proper. Fundamentals of Quality on the Web. Technical Report ICIS-R06029, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, June 2006.

    We use information from the Web for performing our daily tasks more and more often. Locating the right resources that help us in doing so is a daunting task, especially with the present rate of growth of the Web as well as the many different kinds of resources available. The tasks of search engines is to assist us in finding those resources that are apt for our given tasks; search engines assess the quality of resources for players. In this paper we present a formal model for the notion of quality on the Web. We base our model on a thorough literature study of how the quality notion is used in different fields. Even more, we show how the quality of resources is affected by software manipulations (transformations).

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13. E.D. Schabell, H.A. Proper, and Th. P. van der Weide. IRIS Publication Management System - the first steps towards realization. Technical Report ICIS-R06008, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, December 2005.

    The IRIS Publication Management System (PMS) has been a long time in coming. It has been a wish of the IRIS department to have a single entry point for dealing with the publications created by its members. The complexities of not only accepting new submissions, but to process these submissions on through the existing institutional publication infrastructure is not a hurdle easily taken. The submission of both internal and external publications generates not only a collection of doc- uments, but also a very valuable and maybe useful repository of publication data. If this data were to be collected, protected from inconsistencies and properly organized then one would only be limited in her imagination as the the uses that it could be put. To start with, one can begin to pro vide a very interesting playground for departmental retrieval experiments, provide various forms of exportable formats (think of HTML, BiBTeX, text, etc.) and generate any type of organizational reporting as deemed necessary (such as yearly overviews of departmental publications). This document discusses the definition and design of the IRIS PMS This includes the motivation (why), the (functional) requirements (what), the key design principles as well as the actual design (how).

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14. S.J. Overbeek, D.B.B. Rijsenbrij, and H.A. Proper. Sophia: Towards a Personal Digital Workspace for Knowledge Workers. Technical Report ICIS-R06007, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, January 2005.

    Present day knowledge workers interact with a digital world which is full of digital services intended to support these workers in their knowledge intensive tasks. Digital services include the use of applications in general, tools that support knowledge generation, or knowledge transfer, but may also support the proliferation of knowledge in order to improve organizational decision making and value addition. However, it often occurs that contemporary digital services are not user-friendly, impersonal, and ambiguous in use. Therefore, the notion of Sophia is presented: a reference model of and a development framework for a personal digital workspace for knowledge workers, aiming to integrate and personalize all digital services, digital information items, and digital knowledge items, so that an individual knowledge worker can carry out his work related activities pleasantly, effectively, and efficiently in every context. We further argue that digital architecture plays an important role when realizing a development methodology.

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15. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Fundamental Understanding of the Act of Modelling. Technical Report ICIS-R05006, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, January 2005.

    In an ongoing effort to better understand the process of creating models (in particular formal ones), we present a fundamental view of the process of modelling. We base this view on the idea that participants in such a process are involved in a deliberate and goal-driven effort to share and reconcile representations of their personal conceptions of (parts of) the world. This effort takes the shape of a modelling dialogue, involving the useof controlled language. We thus take a fundamental approach to subjective aspects of modelling, as opposed to traditional approaches which essentially consider models asobjective entities. We describe our core theory, explain why it is proposed, and briefly discuss how we intend to validate and further develop our theory of modelling.

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16. S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers, Th.P. van der Weide, and H.A. Proper. Dealing with Uncertainty in Information Modelling. Technical Report ICIS-R05013, Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2005.

    We present ongoing research concerning a communication-based approach to information modelling. The general goal of our research is to understand and support (contextualized) modelling dialogues rather than the models that result from these dialogues or the modelling languages in which the models are expressed. We take the point of view that information modelling dialogues are subject to the same kinds of uncertainty that occur in any communication between human agents. This uncertainty is for a large part due to the contextualized nature of information models. By focusing on dialogues and guiding them through strategies for dealing with uncertainty, we hope to achieve better, properly contextualized, information models. We present an analysis of uncertainty in information modelling, and give an example of a viable approach to one particular type of uncertainty reduction in information modelling. We work towards a functional design for an interactive modelling environment for testing our theories.

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17. B. van Gils, H.A. Proper, P. van Bommel, and Th.P. van der Weide. Aptness based search on the Web. Technical Report ICIS-R06005, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, November 2005.

    The Web has, in a relatively short period of time, evolved from a medium for information exchange between scholars to one of the most important media in modern times. This has had a major impact on the infrastructure supporting the Web. Retrieval systems that select relevant resources from the ever increasing volume of resources that are available to us are becoming more and more important. In our opinion, the traditional view on these systems (where `topical relevance` seems to be the key notion) is too limited. The main contribution of this paper is an integral view on a more advanced scheme for search on the web called aptness based retrieval.

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18. P. van Bommel, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. Structured Modeling with uncertainty. Technical Report ICIS-R07022, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2007.

    This paper starts with the description of the modeling process as a dialog, and describes the associated formal functions, including the feedback supporting the growing mutual understanding. The dialog has a procedural and an informational aspect. For this latter a controlled grammar is used, that has a user friendly and a system friendly side. These sides are related via an elementary syntactical transformation. Assuming some elementary requirements on the dialog participants, we prove the main theorem for information modeling effectiveness. We also propose a system of metrics to support the modeling process. In terms of these metrics, modeling heuristics can be described and evaluated. We demonstrate our ideas by a simple sample session.

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19. H.A. Proper and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Information System Evolution as Language Evolution. Technical Report NIII-R0205, Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2003.

    In this article we look at the evolution of information systems from the perspective of the evolution of domain languages, and provide a report on some of our ongoing research activities. Many if not all analysis and design approaches for information systems base themselves on techniques involving some sort of natural language analysis. However, the view on language underlying these approaches ignores several issues concerning the nature of language. This article primarily aims to create awareness for the issues at play, and argues that current approaches ignore most of them. We finish by presenting an overview of our research efforts concerning the tackling of the matters discussed.

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20. H.A. Proper. PRONIR proposal. Technical report, Nijmegen Institute for Information and Computing Sciences, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 2002. NWO Project Proposal.

    The knowledge and information resources we need to conduct our activities in daily life, be it at work or at home, are increasingly available in some electronic form by way of the Internet. Some examples of such resources are: documents, people (by their e-mail or chat addresses), document collections, objects and facts in databases and even entire applications. People in search of knowledge turn to the Internet with the aim of finding relevant knowledge or information that will support them in executing their tasks. This research project aims to develop a theory, and demonstrate its validity by means of a prototype system, for profile based retrieval of heterogeneous networked resources.

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21. R.D.T. Janssen and H.A. Proper. A functionality taxonomy for document search engines. Technical report, Ordina Institute, Gouda, The Netherlands, June 2001.

    In this paper a functionality taxonomy for document search engines is proposed. It can be used to assess the features of a search engine, to position search engines relative to each other, or to select which search engine `fits' a certain situation. One is able to identify areas for improvement. During development, we were guided by the viewpoint of the user. We use the word `search engine' in the broadest sense possible, including library and web based (meta) search engines. The taxonomy distinguishes seven functionality areas: an indexing service, user profiling, query composition, query execution, result presentation, result refinement, and history keeping. Each of these relates and provides services to other functionality areas. It can be extended whenever necessary. To illustrate the validity of our taxonomy, it has been used for comparing various document search engines existing today (ACM Digital Library, PiCarta, Copernic, AltaVista, Google, and GuideBeam). It appears that the functionality aspects covered by our taxonomy can be used for describing these search engines.

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22. R.D.T. Janssen, H.A. Proper, H. Bosma, D. Verhoef, and S.J.B.A. Hoppenbrouwers. Developing an Architecture Method Library. Technical report, Ordina Institute, Gouda, The Netherlands, January 2001.

    Today, there are millions of professionals worldwide acting as a designer, architect or engineer in the design, realization, and implementation of information systems. At this moment there is no well established and clearly identified body of knowledge that defines their profession in a 'standard' way. In this article, we This article discusses a conceptual framework for architecture-driven information system development. Rather than defining a completely new framework, the conceptual framework is synthesized out of relevant pre-existing frameworks for system development and architecture. Before discussing the actual framework, we briefly discuss the necessity for an architecture-driven approach to system development.

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23. R. van Achterberg, B. Frankema, M. de Jong-Ellebroek, P. van der Molen, H.A. Proper, and W. Schut. Handleiding SysteemConcept en ApplicatieArchitectuur Startarchitectuur. Technical Report Version 2.0, Dutch Taxation Office, March 2000. In Dutch.
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24. H.A. Proper. Da Vinci - Architecture-Driven Business Solutions. Technical report, Origin, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Summer 1998.

    This document has emerged out of Origin's past experiences with architecture-driven application development (AD2), and the need to further formalise and consolidate these experiences. The AD2 related developments range in scope from the actual design and implementation of applications, to the development of a long-term vision of an organisation's business activities and IT support required. The main concern of AD2 is the development of applications to support an organisation's business activities, by considering the entire context of the applications.

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25. T.A. Barrett and H.A. Proper. Component Based Solutions Under Architecture. Technical report, Origin, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Spring 1998.

    Many of today's applications have an, almost tangible, monolithic nature. They are built as 'islands', purporting to be self contained, offering little or nothing in the way of integration with other applications. In the past, being large and self-contained may have eliminated the need to interact with other solutions to some extent. However, in the business environments of today the interaction with other applications becomes paramount. As a result of this, many ad-hoc point-to-point integration solutions have been built between different applications. This has already led to an 'application spaghetti' at many of our customer sites. Many of today's applications are poorly structured, which makes their responsiveness to business change sluggish. The application spaghetti with its plethora of point-to-point interfaces further inhibits the responsiveness to change. In this paper we present a two pronged approach to tackle these issues. Firstly, we outline an architectural approach to the development of component-based business solutions. Secondly, we propose a reference architecture to help in actually realising such solutions. The architectural approach to system development aims to provide a way to provide better control of a components environment.

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26. P.D. Bruza and H.A. Proper. Discovering the Information that is lost in our Databases - Why bother storing data if you can`t find the information? Technical report, Distributed Systems Technology Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1996.

    We are surrounded by an ever increasing amount of data that is stored in a variety of databases. In this article we will use a very liberal definition of database. Basically any collection of data can be regarded as a database, ranging from the files in a directory on a disk, to ftp and web servers, through to relational or object-oriented databases. The sole reason for storing data in databases is that there is an anticipated need for the stored data at some time in the future. This means that providing smooth access paths by which stored information can be retrieved is at least as important as ensuring integrity of the stored information. In practice, however, providing users with adequate avenues by which to access stored information has received far less attention.

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27. A.P. Barros, A.H.M. ter Hofstede, and H.A. Proper. Towards an Integrated Conceptual Modelling Kernel for Business Transaction Workflows. Technical report, Department of Computer Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, November 1996.

    The focus of the paper is on the extension of conceptual workflow modelling techniques for business suitability. Of course, to speak of a general business suitability is vague since there are many types of organisations and many types of business processing. Therefore, particular attention is drawn to a specific type of (operational) business processing which exhibits precise execution paths. As examples, the processing of insurance claims, bank loans and land conveyancing, are mission-critical in nature and are rarely undertaken without strict operational procedure. Also, multiple interactions with clients and external organisations are typically needed to fulfill service requests.

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28. A.P. Barros, A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and P.N. Creasy. Business Suitability Principles for Workflow Modelling. Technical report, Department of Computer Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, August 1996.

    By incorporating aspects of coordination and collaboration, workflow implementations of in-formation systems require a sound conceptualisation of business processing semantics. Traditionally, the success of conceptual modelling techniques has depended largely on the adequacy of conceptualisation, expressive power, comprehensibility and formal foundation. An equally important requirement, particularly with the increased conceptualisation of business aspects, is business suitability. In this paper, the focus is on the business suitability of workflow modelling for a commonly encountered class of (operational) business processing, e.g. those of insurance claims, bank loans and land conveyancing. A general assessment is first conducted on some integrated techniques characterising well-known paradigms - structured process modelling, object-oriented modelling, behavioural process modelling and business-oriented modelling. Through this, an insight into busi-ness suitability within the broader perspective of technique adequacy, is gained. A specific business suitability diagnosis then follows using a particular characterisation of business processing, i.e. one where the intuitive semantics and inter-relationship of business services and business processes are nuanced. As a result, five business suitability principles are elicited. These are proposed for a more detailed understanding and (synthetic) development of workflow modelling techniques. Accordingly, further insight into workflow specification languages and workflow globalisation in open distributed architectures may also be gained.

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29. H.A. Proper and T.A. Halpin. Conceptual Schema Optimisation - Database Optimisation before sliding down the Waterfall. Technical report, Department of Computer Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, July 1995.

    In this article we discuss an approach to database optimisation in which a conceptual schema is optimised by applying a sequence of transformations. By performing these optimisations on the conceptual schema, a large part of the database optimisation can be done before actually sliding down the software development waterfall. When optimising schemas, one would like to preserve some level of equivalence between the schemas before and after a transformation. We distinguish between two classes of equivalence, one based on the mathematical semantics of the conceptual schemas, and one on conceptual preference by humans. As a medium for the schema transformations we use the universe of all (correct) conceptual schemas. A schema transformation process can then be seen as a journey (a schema- time worm) within this universe. The underlying theory is conveyed intuitively with sample transformations, and formalised within the framework of Object-Role Modelling. A metalanguage is introduced for the specification of transformations, and more importantly their semantics. While the discussion focusses on the data perspective, the approach has a high level of generality and is extensible to process and behaviour perspectives.

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30. H.A. Proper. Interactive Query Formulation using Spider Queries. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    Effective information disclosure in the context of databases with a large con-ceptual schema is known to be a non-trivial problem. In particular the formula-tion of ad-hoc queries is a major problem in such contexts. Existing approaches for tackling this problem include graphical query interfaces, query by navigation, query by construction, and point to point queries. In this article we propose the spi-der query mechanism as a final corner stone for an easy to use computer supported query formulation mechanism for InfoAssisant. The basic idea behind a spider query is to build a (partial) query of all information considered to be relevant with respect to a given object type. The result of this process is always a tree that fans out over existing conceptual schema (a spider). We also provide a brief discussion on the integration of the spider quer mech-anism with the existing query by navigation, query by construction, and point to point query mechanisms.

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31. H.A. Proper. Interactive Query Formulation using Query By Navigation. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    Effective information disclosure in the context of databases with a large conceptual schema is known to be a non-trivial problem. In particular the formulation of ad-hoc queries is a major problem in such contexts. Existing approaches for tackling this problem include graphical query interfaces, query by navigation, query by construction, and point to point queries. In this report we propose an adoption of the query by navigation mechanism that is especially geared towards the InfoAssistant product. Query by navigation is based on ideas from the information retrieval world, in particular on the stratified hypermedia architecture. When using our approach to the formulations of queries, a user will first formulate a number of simple queries corresponding to linear paths through the information structure. The formulation of the linear paths is the result of the explorative phase of the query formulation. Once users have specified a number of these linear paths, they may combine them to form more complex queries. Examples of such combinations are: concatenation, union, intersection and selection. This last process is referred to as query by construction, and is the constructive phase of the query formulation process.

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32. H.A. Proper. Interactive Query Formulation using Point to Point Queries. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    Effective information disclosure in the context of databases with a large conceptual schema is known to be a non-trivial problem. In particular the formulation of ad-hoc queries is a major problem in such contexts. Existing approaches for tackling this problem include graphical query interfaces, query by navigation, and query by construction. In this article we propose the point to point query mechanism that can be combined with the existing mechanism into an unprecedented computer supported query formulation mechanism. In a point to point query a path through the information structure is build. This path can then be used to formulate more complex queries. A point to point query is typically useful when users know some object types which are relevant for their information need, but do not (yet) know how they are related in the conceptual schema. Part of the point to point query mechanism is therefore the selection of the most appropriate path between object types (points) in the conceptual schema. This article both discusses some of the pragmatic issues involved in the point to point query mechanism, and the theoretical issues involved in finding the relevant paths between selected object types.

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33. H.A. Proper and Th.P. van der Weide. A General Theory for the Evolution of Application Models - Full version. Technical report, Department of Computer Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 1994.

    In this article we focus on evolving information systems. First a delimitation of the concept of evolution is provided, resulting in a first attempt to a general theory for such evolutions. The theory makes a distinction between the underlying information structure at the conceptual level, its evolution on the one hand, and the description and semantics of operations on the information structure and its population on the other hand. Main issues within this theory are object typing, type relatedness and identification of objects. In terms of these concepts, we propose some axioms on the well-formedness of evolution. In this general theory, the underlying data model is a parameter, making the theory applicable for a wide range of modelling techniques, including object-role modelling and object oriented techniques.

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34. H.A. Proper. Introduction to Formal Notations. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    In this report we provide a short discussion on the formal notations used in the reports from the research lab. The intention is that this documents evolves in the course of time. This evolution is driven by two sources. Firstly, any unclarities in the used notations, either due to terse explanation or limitations in the existing knowledge in the fields of formalisation. Secondly, due to the possible introduction of new notations and formalisms in new reports.

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35. H.A. Proper. Generating Significant Examples for Conceptual Schema Validation. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    This report bases itself on the idea of using concrete examples to verify conceptual schemas, and in particular cardinality constraints. When novice ORM modellers model domains, the selection of proper cardinality constraints for relationship types is quite often prone to errors. In this report we propose a mechanism for the generation of significant examples for selected subschemas. The generated examples are significant in the sense that they illustrate the possible combinations of instances that are allowed with respect to the cardinality constraints on the in-volved relationship types. In this report we firstly provide a brief informal discussion of the basic idea. Then we present a syntactic mechanism to select the subschema for which example instances are to be generated. This is followed by the actual example generation algorithm itself. We will also present, as a spin-off, an algorithm that allows us to detect possible flaws in the conceptual schema by calculating the number of instances that can be used to populate the types in the schema.

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36. H.A. Proper. ConQuer-92 - The revised report on the conceptual query language LISA-D. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    In this report the conceptual query language ConQuer-92 is introduced. This query language serves as the backbone of InfoAssistant's query facilities. Furthermore, this language can also be used for the specification of derivation rules (e.g. subtype defining rules) and textual constraints in InfoModeler. This report is solely concerned with a formal definition, and the explanation thereof, of ConQuer-92. The implementation of ConQuer-92 in SQL-92 will be treated in a separate report.

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37. H.A. Proper. An Overview of Computer Supported Query Formulation. Technical report, Asymetrix Research Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1994.

    Most present day organisations make use of some automated information system. This usually means that a large body of vital corporate information is stored in these information systems. As a result, an essential function of information systems should be the support of disclosure of this information. We purposely use the term information disclosure in this context. When using the term information disclosure we envision a computer supported mechanism that allows for an easy and intuitive formulation of queries in a language that is as close to the user's perception of the universe of discourse as possible. From this point of view, it is only obvious that we do not consider a simple query mechanism where users have to enter complex queries manually and look up what information is stored in a set of relational tables. Without a set of adequate information disclosure avenues an information system becomes worthless since there is no use in storing information that will never be retrieved.

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38. A.H.M. ter Hofstede, H.A. Proper, and Th.P. van der Weide. A Note on Schema Equivalence. Technical Report 92-30, Department of Information Systems, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 1992.

    In this paper we introduce some terminology for comparing the expressiveness of conceptual data modelling techniques, such as ER, NIAM, and PM, that are finitely bounded by their underlying domains. Next we consider schema equivalence and discuss the effects of the sizes of the underlying domains. This leads to the introduction of the concept of finite equivalence. We give some examples of finite equivalence and inequivalence in the context of PM.

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39. E.D. Falkenberg, J.L.H. Oei, and H.A. Proper. A Metamodel for Update in Information Systems. Technical Report 92-05, Department of Information Systems, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 1992.

    An evolving information system supports the information needs of an evolving organisation. These systems are able to adapt themselves instantaneously to the changes of the supported organisation, such that there is no need to interrupt the activities of the organisation. Furthermore, evolving information systems support changes of all time- and application-dependent aspects, such as the database and the schema of the application. The main focus of this paper is on update in evolving information systems. A framework for the processing of updates in evolving information systems is presented. In this framework, update is regarded as recording, correction or forgetting, and state transitions are considered on three different levels of abstraction, viz. the event level, the recording level and the correction level. A formal specification of this framework is provided as well. Furthermore, the notion of evolution dependency is discussed, taking the dependencies of changes within the universe of discourse into consideration.

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40. J.L.H. Oei, H.A. Proper, and E.D. Falkenberg. Modelling the Evolution of Information Systems. Technical Report 92-36, Department of Information Systems, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 1992.

    In this article, we discuss the need for information systems capable of evolving to the same extent as organisation systems do. A set of requirements for evolving information systems is presented, implying the importance of the time concept in these systems. On the basis of these requirements an architecture and a conceptual framework for evolving information systems is proposed. In our conceptual framework for update we distinguish recording, correction and forgetting. State transitions are considered on three different levels of abstraction, viz. the event level, the recording level and the correction level. A formal specification of the transformation process between user update requests, primitive update requests, and the three-level model for update is provided.

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