Information Modeling: The Need of Semi-Automatic Model Analysis and Transformation

Information models are seen as an important tool within the information systems discipline as well as in non-IS domains. However, modeling is a highly manual task and causes extensive effort. Modeling methods focus only on the creation of models, without giving concrete instructions of an appropriate use of them. An increased efficiency could be achieved if the necessary tasks are solved completely model based. Then algorithms, based on a set of rules, perform model operations. Once a model of the business problem has been created, the problem solving is carried out in the model space. However, several shortcomings prevent semi-formal models from being a suitable resource of an automated solution process. Problems result from a multitude of modelling aims, objects and procedures. In this paper an approach for a model-driven management is presented that aims at the specific problem of identifying service candidates in a service-oriented architecture.