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Victoria CraigVictoria CraigSupervisor: Dr. Michael Supervisor: Dr. Michael

FrancisFrancis

““Developing a Generic Web-based Developing a Generic Web-based CASE tool to plan a CASE tool to plan a

Geographical Information Systems Geographical Information Systems (GIS), using the (GIS), using the

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to underpin the Planning Processto underpin the Planning Process”.”.

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Aims and ObjectivesAims and Objectives To Develop a web-based CASE tool, to plan To Develop a web-based CASE tool, to plan

and design a GIS, being adaptive and self-and design a GIS, being adaptive and self-learning, for different levels of expertise.learning, for different levels of expertise.

Use SSM (Checkland, 1990) for planning Use SSM (Checkland, 1990) for planning the GIS, in order to serve purposeful actionthe GIS, in order to serve purposeful action

To define that ‘subjectivist’ approaches To define that ‘subjectivist’ approaches can be just as effective as ‘objectivist’ can be just as effective as ‘objectivist’ approaches (currently not being used for approaches (currently not being used for GIS development); fulfilling a gap.GIS development); fulfilling a gap.

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Research ProblemResearch Problem Companies are using Hard Engineering Companies are using Hard Engineering

approaches;approaches;• Unaware of soft system approachesUnaware of soft system approaches• Not willing to train users to use new approachesNot willing to train users to use new approaches

Not discovered any tools developed using SSM for Not discovered any tools developed using SSM for GIS development; most users using prepared GIS development; most users using prepared packages;packages;

SSM has its limitations…SSM has its limitations…• Not developed to deal with technology based Not developed to deal with technology based

Information Systems, therefore incomplete.Information Systems, therefore incomplete.• Therefore will have to use Interpretative Data Therefore will have to use Interpretative Data

Analysis (Dunning-Lewis) and Unified Modelling Analysis (Dunning-Lewis) and Unified Modelling Language, in order to develop the CASE tool.Language, in order to develop the CASE tool.

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Why SSM?Why SSM?Advantages of SSMAdvantages of SSM

• Deals with ‘fuzzy’, ill-defined problems;Deals with ‘fuzzy’, ill-defined problems;• Involves user perspectives Involves user perspectives

(Weltanschauungen);(Weltanschauungen);• Considers room for improvement throughout;Considers room for improvement throughout;• Iterative method, consisting of seven-stages;Iterative method, consisting of seven-stages;• Adapts with action research;Adapts with action research;• Considers two streams of analysis (Cultural and Considers two streams of analysis (Cultural and

Political);Political);• Breaks down the problem situation (‘Holon’) Breaks down the problem situation (‘Holon’)

and models each sub-system;and models each sub-system;

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Why a web-based CASE Tool?Why a web-based CASE Tool? ““Computer-Aided Software Engineering Computer-Aided Software Engineering

(CASE) can be applied to any system or (CASE) can be applied to any system or collection tools that help to automate the collection tools that help to automate the software-design and development software-design and development process” process” (D. H. M. Spector, 2002).(D. H. M. Spector, 2002).

GIS has not yet been constructed using GIS has not yet been constructed using any soft system CASE tools, being one of any soft system CASE tools, being one of the aims of this research. the aims of this research.

Having access to the tool via the WWW will Having access to the tool via the WWW will enable easy access for users, reduce cost, enable easy access for users, reduce cost, maintenance and so forth.maintenance and so forth.

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Plan of ThesisPlan of Thesis

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Achievement so far….Achievement so far…. Literature ReviewLiterature Review

• Previous Projects relating to SSM, GIS and the use of CASE Previous Projects relating to SSM, GIS and the use of CASE tools tools

Most GIS development includes prepared packages, few hard Most GIS development includes prepared packages, few hard engineering tools are available.engineering tools are available.

SSM teaching tools available, but none for development SSM teaching tools available, but none for development purposes.purposes.

GIS and IS: The differenceGIS and IS: The difference• ““A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a specialised A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a specialised

Information System, to fulfil purposeful action within the Information System, to fulfil purposeful action within the real world (the system served), by collecting (spatial or non-real world (the system served), by collecting (spatial or non-spatial data), storing and retrieving such data, achieving spatial data), storing and retrieving such data, achieving transformed geographical information, being useful for transformed geographical information, being useful for analysing, monitoring, control and decision-making by users analysing, monitoring, control and decision-making by users within an organisation, allowing room for improvement for within an organisation, allowing room for improvement for future requirements (system serving)”.future requirements (system serving)”.

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Achievement so far..Achievement so far.. The importance of planningThe importance of planning

Other development methodologies incompleteOther development methodologies incomplete The elements of SSM that could be used for planning a GIS The elements of SSM that could be used for planning a GIS

CASE toolCASE tool Situation of Inquiry, Root definition, CATWOE, Situation of Inquiry, Root definition, CATWOE,

conceptual modelling.conceptual modelling. A new methodology required.A new methodology required.

Factors to consider when developing a web-based CASE Factors to consider when developing a web-based CASE tool.tool.

Good design principles, effective database design, Good design principles, effective database design, security issues.security issues.

.Net Framework, IDA, Task Oriented Design, Ms .Net Framework, IDA, Task Oriented Design, Ms Access.Access.

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Achievement so far..Achievement so far..Planning the tool.Planning the tool.

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Achievement so far….Achievement so far….

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Further WorkFurther Work Implementation of planning elements Implementation of planning elements

of tool (first three elements)of tool (first three elements) Elements required for GISElements required for GIS Location-based services in greater Location-based services in greater

detaildetail Develop a database for storing and Develop a database for storing and

retrieving relevant data.retrieving relevant data.

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Thank youThank you

Any Questions?Any Questions?

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Feedback for naming Feedback for naming CASE tool:CASE tool:

GISMOGISMO‘‘GGeographical eographical IIntelligent ntelligent SSystem ystem

of systeof systeMMic creatiic creatiOOn’n’