Formal Modelling as a Grounded Conversation
Stijn J. B. A. Hoppenbrouwers, Henderik Alex Proper, Theo P. van der Weide · Radboud Repository (Radboud University) · 2005
In this paper we discuss a LAP-related view on the phenomenon of general (formal) modelling (including conceptual modelling, business modelling, but also software modelling).We view formal models as the result of a specialized sort of conversation within a system development conversation at large, in which participants need to bridge the gap between informal (NL-based) and formal (mathematics-based) representations and interpretations.We provide an initial communication-based analysis of the formal modelling process, and discuss why it is crucial that the (formal) structures in the various kinds of models are somehow grounded in the structures of agreement/commitment that underlie the development conversations.We explain how looking at modelling as communicative behaviour (action) may help achieve grounded models, thereby improving their validity in context.