A STUDY OF METAMODELLING IN THE AREA OF INFORMATION SYSTEM DESIGN

摘要

In the metamodelling process the design foundations are set. One purpose of this work is to study how the process of metamodelling is considered in the area of information system design. Another purpose is to tentatively evaluate how metamodelling processes in this area are performed. To apply metamodelling in this work means that one reflects on the design situation in order to understand it. Based on that understanding a selection of an appropriate methodology should be possible. If metamodelling is omitted a design may be faulty. Designers have been interviewed. It has been found that streaks of metamodelling seem to be present in their work, but these metamodelling reflections are implicit in what they do. A literature study was performed to see how metamodelling is dealt with in the literature on information system design. Method Engineering (ME) was found as one example where metamodelling processes exist abundantly. A characterisation of metamodelling was made based on the works by Churchman, van Gigch, and Flood and Carson. This characterisation has been used as a basis for evaluating ME. It was found that ME belongs to the hard perspective. It is a formalized process where metamodelling activities are in focus. It is recommended that more soft streaks should permeate ME.