Getting the client into the loop in information system modelling courses

Abstract

Information system modelling is more than a translation of requirements from one notation into another, it is part of the requirements analysis process. Adding explicitness and making design choices should provide critical feedback to the requirements document being modelled. We want our students to develop such a critical attitude. However, in our educational system it is institutionalized that students get a ‘perfect’ problem description and don't have to align with anyone in order to solve the problem (other than the odd question of clarification to the instructor). To make students realize that things are different in the real world, we have added assignments in which the students (1) make an initial class diagram based on a written specification, and (2) talk with a more knowledgeable stakeholder to question their understanding of what is desired. In this position paper we describe the set-up of these assignments.