Involving Business Users in Formal Modeling Using Natural Language Pattern Sentences

With knowledge representation based technologies reaching the enterprise, involving business users in modeling is more important than ever. When primary processes and business decisions are driven by models, business knowledge needs to be captured and only business users can establish whether the models created are correct. A natural language based representation of models can help business users get involved in the modeling process. We have used a representation based on natural language pattern sentences to improve business user participation in our business modeling projects. Based on the lessons learned, user interfaces have been developed that use this representation for both communicating and editing formal models.