Modelling and matching: A methodology for ePlanning system development to address the requirements of multiple user groups

Abstract

In this paper the authors present the Modelling and Matching methodology (M&M), developed to ensure that ePlanning systems meet the needs of their users. Designed to address the requirements of multiple and diverse user groups, the methodology intends to offer an operational guidance to ePlanning system developers. M&M combines elements of UML, Soft Systems Methodology, Object-Oriented Methodology and Rapid Development Methodology, and embeds them into a five-step process to reflect a human-centred approach. The methodology will be elucidated further in the paper together with its application and evaluation in a multi-partner, geographically distributed ePlanning system development project, called Virtual Environment Planning System (VEPs) project. The reflection of this application will be discussed at last, in terms of the learning recorded with respect to the methodology (i.e. M&M) itself and the effects it caused. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.