Integrating system dynamics with Object-Role Modeling

Abstract

We put Object-Role Modeling (ORM) to work in the context of the creation of System Dynamics (SD) models. SD focuses on the structure and behavior of systems composed of interacting feedback loops. The art of SD modeling lies in discovering and representing the feedback processes and other elements that determine the dynamics of the system (typically, a process in an organization). However, SD shows a lack of instruments for discovering and expressing precise, language-based concepts in domains. At the same time, the field of conceptual modeling has long since focused on deriving models from natural expressions. We therefore turn to ORM as a prime example of this school of thought to integrate its strong natural language based modeling approach into the creation of SD models. A two-step schema based approach for transforming an ORM domain model into a SD stock and flow diagram is presented. We discuss how typical ORM conceptualization can be linked to SD conceptualization and how such a transformation can be performed. Examples are provided. © 2008 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.