VBM - Vision Based Methodology™

Activity 6: Conceptualizing the System

The Key Transitions

Taking the Information Engineering or the Class/Relationship models and transforming them into proposed screens, reports, and programs, seems to be a mysterious process. This is the dreaded logical-to-physical transformation. Generally, this is one point in the systems building process where experience counts!

Information Engineering Models

To create the first-cut lists, follow these recommended steps:

1. Examine all current data model entities and determine if any of them will be involved with an on-line display process.
2. For each selected entity, determine if it will displayed by itself or as part of a group of entities.
3. Match the selected single entities or entity clusters to the appropriate screen type.
4. Examine each process and determine if a screen or series of screens is required to support the process requirements.

Object-Oriented Models

To create the first-cut lists, follow these recommended steps:

1. Examine all of the identified Classes and determine if any of them will be involved with an on-line display process.
2. For each selected Class, determine if it will displayed by itself or as part of a group of Classes.
3. Match the selected single Classes or Class clusters to the appropriate screen type.
4. Examine each individual Class and its respective processes and determine if any additional screens are required to support the process requirements.

Client/Server Models

If an Client/Server approach is being taken, follow these additional recommended steps:

1. Identify the optimal client/server approach based on the selected DBMS, the selected programming language, and the proposed technical environment.
2. Create a process location model using a Physical Process Diagram which shows where each identified Process will physically reside within the system (on a client machine or within a server).