Model oriented domain analysis and engineering

Abstract

Model oriented domain analysis and engineering (MODA & MODE) is a methodology for value chain analysis and domain engineering that can be used to uncover and formalize the knowledge that is inherent in any software intensive business or any scientific discipline. The target audience consists of domain experts in any line of business or field of scientific endeavour and is not limited to software development professionals. This broad target audience and strong terminological conformancewith model theory distinguishMODA&MODE from classical software product line engineering approaches.Whilst the components of the methodology that are concerned with domain analysis can be applied without the help of any sophisticated software tools, the domain engineering components of the methodology are best performed with the help of a dedicated software tool. The MODA & MODE approaches have a track record in industrial practice that extends back to 1994, with roots in software product line engineering and conceptual modelling. The concepts and techniques of the approach have been refined, simplified and aligned with established mathematical theories, systems theory, and empirical research into human psychology, enabling new forms of inter-disciplinary collaboration between domain experts. This chapter provides an overview of MODA & MODE, and it also traces the most important concepts and techniques back to their origins.