Logical design patterns for information system development problems

Abstract

Design theories investigate prescriptive and descriptive elements of the activity of design. Central to the descriptive realm are abstract design rules and design goals that are part of the governance of design. On the prescriptive side, models are used on various levels of abstraction for representing different kinds of knowledge for systems engineering. Models for three layers of abstraction are proposed: a business layer, a logical layer, and an implementation layer. At the logical layer, the concept of a logical design pattern is introduced as a natural means for linking business models and technical models as well as design theories and information systems engineering. Ten logical design patterns, extracted from a series of information system development projects, are presented and applied in an example.