Abstract
Much research has been devoted over the years to
investigating and advancing the techniques and tools
used by analysts when they model. As opposed to what
academics, software providers and their resellers
promote as should be happening, the aim of this
research was to determine whether practitioners
still embraced conceptual modeling seriously. In
addition, what are the most popular techniques and
tools used for conceptual modeling? What are the
major purposes for which conceptual modeling is
used? The study found that the top six most
frequently used modeling techniques and methods were
ER diagramming, data flow diagramming, systems
flowcharting, workflow modeling, UML, and structured
charts. Modeling technique use was found to decrease
significantly from smaller to medium-sized
organizations, but then to increase significantly in
larger organizations (proxying for large, complex
projects). Technique use was also found to
significantly follow an inverted U-shaped curve,
contrary to some prior explanations. Additionally,
an important contribution of this study was the
identification of the factors that uniquely
influence the decision of analysts to continue to
use modeling, viz., communication (using diagrams)
to/from stakeholders, internal knowledge (lack of)
of techniques, user expectations management,
understanding models' integration into the business,
and tool/software deficiencies. The highest ranked
purposes for which modeling was undertaken were
database design and management, business process
documentation, business process improvement, and
software development.
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