Integration of design modeling techniques: Operations Automation Systems scenario

This paper presents an application scenario in which knowledge-based and object oriented modeling techniques are applied and used in the analysis and design of complex, computer-based systems. The methodology is presented in the context of an operations automation and information management system in the electric utility operations problem domain. The analysis and design methodology utilizes several techniques to analyze different aspects of the system in relative isolation. System Entity Specifications (SES) are used to decompose the system and to classify its components. The SES also serves as an anchor for linking the other models for traceability purposes. Use Case scenarios are used to model the system requirements. Object modeling methods provide a rich mechanism for specifying the attributes and behavior of the system components. Dynamic modeling techniques, presented through the use of interaction diagrams, are used to model the dynamic behavior of system components and assist in the detailed system specification. The system presented in this paper is treated at a high level. The methodology supports iterative design development so that the high-level design can be greatly refined, prototyped and tested until a suitably detailed design is produced.