How to identify binary relations for domain models

Many approaches to requirements engineering include building a model of the domain. Those using entity relationship modeling or deriving from it employ the concept of relations between entities, but identifying the relations is still more of an art than science or engineering. We deal with this problem primarily in the context of object oriented analysis (OOA), where relations between object classes are to be identified. Our new approach uses natural language definitions of object classes and looks for names of other object classes in these definitions, since such a reference indicates a relation. Based on this idea, we identify most binary relations for domain models in a new way. We also provide tool support for this method, which shows that a high degree of automation is possible. Both a case study using the well known ATM (automated teller machine) example and real world experience with our approach suggest its usefulness.