Understanding key transformations in model-driven development

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Software development is a very complex process that requires vast amounts of knowledge and skills both in software development itself and in the application domain, and researchers have long been trying to manage the complexity of the process. One of the earlier strategies - recently rehabilitated by OMG's Model-Driven Architecture- viewed the development process as a possibly long sequence of labour intensive, but automatable transformations that start with a specification of the software to produce a working version. The long-term goal of this research program is to develop a better understanding of the software development process within the framework of a transformational, model-driven approach. More specifically, we are interested in exploring two transformations that embody a non-trivial shift in focus: 1) the transition from process models to information system models, and 2) the transition from analysis to design. By automating the transition from process models to analysis models, we improve communication between the business users of software, and its developers, and we ensure that developers develop what the business users need. By automating the transition from analysis to design, we relieve designers and developers from the tedious and error-prone tasks involved in designs, and let them focus on the creative and intellectually challenging tasks where they add the most value. By automating both transitions, we empower business users to develop their own applications by specifying or "drawing" the business process they wish to support with the information system.