On defining a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language to address complex Multi-Modeling activities

摘要

With the increase use of Multi-Modeling platforms, in which multiple models interoperate to complement/supplement each other, a number of challenges are still to be addressed. Although a major challenge exists in providing the technical means for the interconnections between models through their supporting tools, there is also a need to make such platforms usable for non-technical users. In this paper, we propose the development and use of a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language to address complex Multi-Modeling activates for a domain of interest. The first step of our approach is domain identification including the characterization of modeling techniques used in the domain. Then, a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language is developed to allow for capturing Multi-Modeling activities in the form of workflows. These workflows define interoperations between models. In our approach we also propose the use of a Domain Specific Ontology to capture the semantic concepts of the domain and then to guide the workflow creation process. The approach is illustrated using a case study from the Drug Interdiction and Intelligence domain. JIATF-South, an agency well known for interagency cooperation and intelligence fusion, receives huge amounts of disparate data regarding drug smuggling activities. Analysis of such data using various modeling techniques is essential in identifying best Courses of Action (COAs). We apply our approach to this case study by showing how a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language is developed and then used to create workflows of model interoperations. Models of Social Networks, Timed Influence Nets, Organization Structures and Geospatial Data are utilized in this example.