Definition
A concept modelAn analysis model that develops the meaning of core concepts for a problem domain, defines their collective structure, and specifies the appropriate vocabulary needed to communicate about it consistently. is used to organize the business vocabulary needed to consistently and thoroughly communicate the knowledge of a domainThe sphere of knowledge that defines a set of common requirements, terminology, and functionality for any program or initiative solving a problem.. It is a visual representation of a set of ideas. Concept modelling works especially well when communicating complex sets of ideas and their interactions.
A concept modelAn analysis model that develops the meaning of core concepts for a problem domain, defines their collective structure, and specifies the appropriate vocabulary needed to communicate about it consistently. represents the nouns relevant to an organizationAn autonomous group of people under the management of a single individual or board, that works towards common goals and objectives. or a specific domainThe sphere of knowledge that defines a set of common requirements, terminology, and functionality for any program or initiative solving a problem.. It develops the core concepts and ideas and organizes them in a collective structure. Written in the business’ language, it expands and clarifies the vocabulary to simplify communication.
Concept Model x Data Model
A concept modelAn analysis model that develops the meaning of core concepts for a problem domain, defines their collective structure, and specifies the appropriate vocabulary needed to communicate about it consistently. differs from a data modelA representation and simplification of reality developed to convey information to a specific audience to support analysis, communication, and understanding.. The vocabulary in a concept modelAn analysis model that develops the meaning of core concepts for a problem domain, defines their collective structure, and specifies the appropriate vocabulary needed to communicate about it consistently. is far richer, as it suits knowledge-intensive domains.
The goalSee business goal. of a concept modelAn analysis model that develops the meaning of core concepts for a problem domain, defines their collective structure, and specifies the appropriate vocabulary needed to communicate about it consistently. is to support the expression of natural language statements and supply their semantics. Concept models are not intended to unify, codify, and simplify data.
Data models usually derive from concept models (the reverse is much harder, near impossible). Like data models, concept models are often rendered graphically, but free of such distractions to stakeholders as cardinalities (relationship between entities)
Why use concept modelling?
Fields of use
Organizing, retaining, building-on, managing, and communicating core knowledge
Capturing large numbers of business rules for an initiativeA specific project, program, or action taken to solve some business problem(s) or achieve some specific change objective(s).
Tempering resistance from stakeholders about the perceived technical nature of data models, class diagrams, or data element nomenclature and definition
Re-engineering business processes or other aspects of business capabilityThe set of activities the enterprise performs, the knowledge it has, the products and services it provides, the functions it supports, and the methods it uses to make decisions. for sought innovative solutions
Facing regulatory or compliance challenges
How to use concept modelling
Making a concept model according to Boxes and Arrows
Read more by subscribing to the BA Toolkit
On top of the brief description of the method, access to:
- an explanation of when and how to use it,
- a practical example,
- tips and recommendations for use,
- downloadable checklists and templates,
- references for further reading,
- …
