Integrated Definition (IDEF) Modeling Techniques

Ozgun Demirag Andy Johnson Dima Nazzal Yen-Tai Wan

Outline
What is IDEF? IDEF Family:

Overview Examples Strengths and Weaknesses

Rasmussen - Design Maps Definition

What is IDEF?
Definition: IDEF is the common name referring to
classes of enterprise modeling languages. Objective: IDEF is used for modeling activities necessary to support system analysis, design, improvement or integration. Originally, IDEF was developed to enhance communication among people trying to understand the system. Now, IDEF is being used for documentation, understanding, design, analysis, planning, and Integration.

IDEF History
In the 1970s, IDEF0 originated in the U.S. Air Force under the Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing(ICAM) program from a wellestablished graphical language, the Structured Analysis and Design Technique (SADT).

IDEF Family
IDEF Family of Methods:

IDEF0: for Function Modeling (purpose:description) IDEF1: for Information Modeling. (purpose:description) IDEF1x: for Data Modeling. (purpose:design) IDEF3: for Process Modeling. (purpose:description) IDEF4: for Object-Oriented Design. (purpose:design) IDEF5: for Ontology Description Capture. (purpose:description)

IDEF0- Function Modeling Method

IDEF0 models the decisions, actions, and activities of an organization or system, in order to communicate the functional perspective of a system. IDEF0 models are created as one of the first tasks of a system development effort because they describe:
the functions that are performed, what is needed to perform those functions, IDEF0 was released as a standard for Function Modeling by the Computer Systems Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (1993)

IDEF0- Function Modeling Method

Syntax:

Context Diagram: is a model of the function at the highest level of inputs, controls, outputs, and mechanisms
Controls
Inputs: items that trigger the activity Controls: guide or regulate the activity Mechanisms: systems, people, equipment used to perform the activity Outputs: results of performing the activity

Inputs

Function Name

Outputs

Mechanisms

IDEF0- Function Modeling Method

Decomposition Diagram: links together the context diagrams

IDEF0- Function Modeling Method

STRENGTHS

The model has proven effective in detailing the system activities for function modeling. IDEF0 models provide an abstraction away from timing, sequencing and decision logic. However, it is easy to use IDEF0 for modeling activity sequences whenever needed. (Order the activities from left to right in the decomposition diagram). Provides a concise description of systems, by using the ICOMS. (Inputs, Controls, Output, Mechanism) The hierarchical nature of IDEF0 allows the system to be easily refined into greater detail until the model is as descriptive as necessary for the decision making task.

IDEF0- Function Modeling Method

WEAKNESSES

IDEF models might be so concise that only the domain experts can understand. IDEF models are sometimes misinterpreted as representing a sequence of activities. The abstraction away from timing, sequencing and decision logic leads to comprehension difficulties for the people outside the domain.

IDEF0- Function Modeling Method

EXAMPLE (source: [4])

IDEF1- Information Modeling Method

IDEF1 is a method for both analyzing and communicating the structure and semantics of information within a system. IDEF1 models are used to:

Identify what information is currently managed in a realworld system, both automated system components, and non-automated objects (e.g. people). Identify the rules for managing the information. Identify deficiencies in the current management of the information. Specify what information will be managed in a TO-BE implementation. (TO-BE implementation: Design of the functional architecture)

IDEF1- Information Modeling Method

Main IDEF1 Concepts

Entities: Represent the information maintained in a system about the real-world objects

Distinguishing properties:

Persistent May be individuated

Key Non-key

Attributes:

Relations: Association between entities

IDEF1- Information Modeling Method

IDEF1- Information Modeling Method

STRENGTHS IDEF1 requires active participation of the information users, which serves to accurately model where and how the information is used and managed. An effective method for documenting the informational requirements of an enterprise, providing a foundation for database design. IDEF1 enforces a modularity that eliminates the incompleteness, imprecision, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies found in the modeling process.

IDEF1x- Data Modeling Method

IDEF1X is a method for designing relational databases. IDEF1X Model: Graphical and Textual depiction of What must I know to do what I do? IDEF1X is most useful for logical database design after the information requirements are known and the decision to implement a relational database has been made. IDEF1X was released as a standard for Data Modeling by the Computer Systems Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (1993)

IDEF1x- Data Modeling Method

EXAMPLE (ref:[2])

IDEF1x- Data Modeling Method

EXAMPLE (ref:[2])

IDEF1x- Data Modeling Method

STRENGTHS

Powerful tool for data modeling. IDEF1X dont have numerous variants, unlike ER. Depicts the rules governing the management of information. Used to validate the concepts in the associated IDEF0 model. Helps to discover underlying causes for problems.

WEAKNESSES

The modeler must be experienced in order to create good models. Not suited to serve as an AS-IS analysis tool.

IDEF1 (information Model) vs. IDEF1x (Data Model)

Information Model
focuses on: Information collected, stored, and managed by the organization Logical relationships within the organization reflected in the information used for: Problem identification Requirements definition Information system design

Data Model
focuses on: Actual data elements in a relational database Representation & structure of the data used for: Logical design of databases & applications Physical design of database implementation

IDEF3- Process Description Model

IDEF3 is a mechanism for collecting and documenting processes. IDEF3 captures the behavioral aspects of an existing or proposed system. (temporal information, including precedence and causality relationships associated with enterprise processes.) The resulting IDEF3 descriptions provide a structured knowledge base for constructing analytical and design models. (unlike simulation languages that build predictive mathematical models, IDEF3 builds structured descriptions.) These descriptions capture information about what a system actually does or will do and also provide for the organization and expression of different user views of the system.
Source: http://www.idef.com/idef3.html

IDEF3- Process Description Model

The development of an IDEF3 Process Flow Description consists of expressing facts, collected from domain experts, in terms of five basic descriptive building blocks.

Activity Denoted as arcs Logic Denoted as junction boxes Unit of Behavior Denoted as boxes Object State Denoted as circles State Transition Denoted as arcs

Process Description Diagram Object State Transition Network

Source: http://www.idef.com/idef3.html

IDEF3- Process Description Model

Organizing Structure: Scenario
A scenario can be thought of as a recurring situation, a set of situations that describe a typical class of problems addressed by an organization or system, or the setting within which a process occurs.

Example
Scenario: Parts enter the shop ready for the primer coat to be applied. We apply one very heavy coat of primer paint at a very high temperature. The paint is allowed to dry in a bake oven after which a paint coverage test is performed on the part. If the test reveals that not enough primer paint has been sprayed on the surface of the part, the part is re-routed through the paint shop again. If the part passes the inspection, it is routed to the next stop in the process.
Source: http://www.idef.com/idef3.html

IDEF3- Process Description Model

Process Description Diagram of the Example

Source: http://www.idef.com/idef3.html

IDEF3- Process Description Model

Object State Transition Network of the Example

Source: http://www.idef.com/idef3.html

IDEF3- Process Description Model

Other Example

Source: (Zakarian & Kusiak, 2001)

IDEF3- Process Description Model

Other Example

Source: (Bosilj-Vuksics , 2000)

IDEF3- Process Description Model

Discussion

The statement of IDEF3 sounds like

Schema Process

Is IDEF3 a good way to represent process reference models ?

Model
Source: http://www.isye.gatech.edu/~lfm/8851/ISyE8851.html

IDEF4- O-O Design Method

IDEF4 method is designed to assist in creating objectoriented programming software. IDEF4 provides a framework for navigating an evolving object-oriented design. IDEF4 divides the object-oriented design activity into discrete chunks. A graphical syntax highlights the design decisions that must be made and their impact on other perspectives of the design. IDEF4 model consists of two submodels, the class submodel and the method submodel. These two structures capture all the information represented in a design model.

IDEF4- O-O Design Method

IDEF5 - Ontology Description Method

An ontology is a domain vocabulary complete with a set of precise definitions or axioms that constrain the meanings of the terms sufficiently, to enable consistent interpretation of the data that use that vocabulary. General ontology construction steps: 1. catalog the terms; 2. capture the constraints that govern how those terms can be used to make descriptive statements about the domain; and 3. build the model.

IDEF5 - Ontology Description Method

The IDEF5 ontology development process consists of the following activities. Data Collection of raw data needed for ontology development. Data Analysis to facilitate ontology extraction. Initial Ontology Development to develop a preliminary ontology from the data gathered. Ontology Refinement and Validation.

REALITY INTERVENE

NARRATIVE MODEL

PLANNING MODEL

The modeling cycle

I DEF

SYMBOLIC MODEL

COMPUTATIONAL MODEL

NORMATIVE MODEL

SYNTHETIC MODEL

Rasmussen - Design Maps Definition

Map 1: Domain, tasks, and user in context Map 2: Knowledge base Map 3: Road maps for navigation Map 4: Knowledge representation in design Map 5: Display composition

Side by Side Comparison

Map 1: Domain, tasks, and user in context Map 2: Knowledge base Map 3: Road maps for navigation Map 4: Knowledge representation in design Map 5: Display composition IDEF0 (IDEF Function Modeling) IDEF1 (IDEF Information Modeling) IDEF1X (IDEF Data Modeling) IDEF3 (IDEF Process Modeling) IDEF4 (IDEF ObjectOriented Design) IDEF5 (IDEF Ontology Description Capture)

Rasmussen Map 1 compared to IDEF0- Diagram

Decomposition Diagram: links together the

context diagrams

Means-Ends Goals, constraints Abstract functions General functions Physical processes Physical form

Representations/Properties
WHY WHAT WHAT WHAT HOW

WHY

WHY

HOW HOW

Key
Both require an expert in the field to use and understand the model

This is a result of the method being a very high level concept and developing the details for any single application is not a trivial matter

Advantage of IDEF
IDEF 5 attempts to incorporate the vocabulary of the specific application

References

Colquhoun, G.J, Baines, R.W, Crossley, Roger, A State of the Art Review of IDEF0, International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Vol. 6, No. 4, 1993, pp. 252-264. (2) Introduction to IDEF Methodology, USACE LCM Managers Guide Version-2 http://www.usace.army.mil/ci/impolicy/lcmis/lcma3.pdf (4) Bosilj-Vuksics paper (http://oliver.efzg.hr/~vbosilj/iceis2000.pdf)