Model-Based Development and Evolution of Information Systems: A Quality Approach

This book introduces and describes in detail the SEQUAL framework for understanding the quality of models and modeling languages, including the numerous specializations of the generic framework, and the various ways in which this can be used for different applications. Topics and features: contains case studies, chapter summaries, review questions, problems and exercises throughout the text, in addition to Appendices on terminology and abbreviations; presents a thorough introduction to the most important concepts in conceptual modeling, including the underlying philosophical outlook on the quality of models; describes the basic tasks and model types in information systems development and evolution, and the main methodologies for mixing different phases of information system development; provides an overview of the general mechanisms and perspectives used in conceptual modeling; predicts future trends in technological development, and discusses how the role of modeling can be envisaged in this landscape.

Table of Contents:
Introduction.- Methodologies for Computerised Information Systems Support in Organisations.- Modeling Languages: Perspectives and Abstraction Mechanisms.- Quality of Models.- Quality of Modelling Languages.- Specialisations of SEQUAL.- Applications of SEQUAL.- Summary and Outlook.- Terminology.- List of Abbreviations.- Cases.

Review :
"I have been working in the field of data since 1975. There is a file rouge that connects several of my contributions. Initially I started working on conceptual models, especially on the Entity Relationship  model and conceptual schema design, see the Benjamin & Cummings book, now Pearson, written with Ceri and Navathe. One of my contributions has been to define several desirable qualities of conceptual schemas. More recently, I have addressed the issue of Data quality, in the aspects related to dimensions and methodologies, see the Springer 2006 book with Scannapieco.  Later, I have worked on quality of information, addressing several representations such as semi-structured texts, unstructured text, maps and images. In 2010, when preparing a tutorial for CAiSE in Hammamet, I arrived at the conclusion that a quite important cheer was needed on top of this cake, the issue of quality of models and languages used to produce conceptual schemas and databases, made of values (or data). Think e.g.  on the relational model, and to the elegant ways to express the concept of normal form in the model. Language or model, schema, values (or data) are all part of a same universe, and in a sense influence each other with reference to their desired qualities. For these reasons, the book of John Krogstie, that deals with quality of languages and models, is quite relevant to complete this long and fascinating itinerary about  quality of information and data." Professor Carlo Batini, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy. "The quality of a model should be aimed for in each step of the modeling process. This requires a thorough understanding of the quality characteristics of models and of their relevance in each step of the process.This book presents SEQUAL, a complete quality framework that is very useful for defining quality goals and analyzing their achievement in models, modeling processes and modelinglanguages." Professor Antoni Olivé, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain.