Theory-Based Methods for Information Systems Analysis and Design

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This project continues a long-term NSERC-supported research program with the general objective of developing and improving methods for information systems (IS) analysis and design (SA&D). Analysis focuses on understanding the requirements for a system. Design is the creation of a plan for a system that fulfills the requirements. Proper processes of analysis and design are crucial to the success of information technology projects and hence can have a significant economic impact. The research is based on considering an IS as a representation of a certain "real" (application) domain. Accordingly, the objective of SA&D is developing a faithful and usable representation. The theoretical foundations of the work are Ontology and Concept Theory. In philosophy, ontological theories deal with what exists in the world. In cognitive sciences, Concept Theory addresses how humans organize information into concepts.The research to date has resulted in the following main contributions: 1. The representation view of IS as a new paradigm for research and practice of SA&D. 2. Theoretical and empirical approaches to the study and development of modelling techniques used in SA&D. 3. Principles for Open Information Environments which provide for flexibility and variability of sources, users, and uses of information.4. Novel approaches to defining data quality, to modelling business processes, to representing knowledge, to defining controls, to analyzing work systems, and to reusing software systems.The present project will focus mainly on:1. Exploring the use of the same modelling techniques for both systems analysis and system design.2. Developing and testing practical architectures for Open Information Environments.3. Developing practical methods for knowledge representation, business process analysis, and software reuse.4. Unifying and formalizing the ontological and cognitive foundations to support the practice of SA&D.