Title: Bridging the gap between business and software engineering: a unified traceability method

Authors: Aljia Bouzidi; Nahla Zaaboub Haddar; Kais Haddar

Addresses: Department of Computer Sciences, Monastir University, ISIMM, Monastir, Tunisia ' Department of Computer Sciences, Sfax University, FSS, FSEGS, Sfax, Tunisia ' Department of Computer Sciences, Sfax University, FSS, FSEGS, Sfax, Tunisia

Abstract: In model-driven software development, achieving and maintaining the consistency of business processes with the underlying IT systems is a major challenge. This research paper presents a unified traceability method that establishes and maintains consistency between business models and software models. In fact, we propose a customised traceability metamodel that perfectly combines the BPMN and UML metamodels. This meta-model focuses on key artefacts including a use case diagram, a design class diagram, and a design sequence diagram, all in the context of the model-view-controller (MVC) architectural pattern. Additionally, we propose a new diagram called BPMNTraceISM, customised to improve unified modeling and analysis of business processes and IT systems. Our validation efforts include the development of a dedicated graphical editor, bi-directional transformation tools, and a detailed case study demonstrating the practical impact of our unified traceability method.

Keywords: traceability; alignment; use case diagram; design class diagram; design sequence diagram; business process model and notation; BPMN; transformation model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPIM.2024.142657

International Journal of Business Process Integration and Management, 2024 Vol.11 No.4, pp.287 - 302

Received: 02 Feb 2024
Accepted: 25 Mar 2024
Published online: 14 Nov 2024 *

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