Conceptual models for coordinating the design of user work with the design of information systems

摘要

The design of an information system (IS) has many consequences for the work of its users. We describe a methodical structure that applies conceptual modeling for the iterative, coordinated design of user work and its supporting IS software. Our goal for this structure is to support an effective, efficient dialog between domain experts and computing technologists. However, the design of work and the design of software require different modeling languages, so we describe the requirements for conceptual modeling of work versus the software needed to support it. We also describe some techniques for relating the two types of models to support iterative design on two converging tracks, one for work and the other for its supporting software.