An integrated environment for validating conceptual models

Conceptual models are constructed as part of the functional requirements specification process for information systems. Since these models are used actively during the design and implementation of the systems, an important task is to make sure that they really represent users' needs and intentions. For this purpose, validation techniques have been introduced. PPP (Phenomena, Processes, Program), an environment in which three different validation techniques, namely, model execution, view generation, and model presentation can be combined, is presented. The PPP language is described along with a simple process control example. The validation techniques are discussed, and, using an example, how the techniques are combined is illustrated. Related work and some tentative conclusions are given.