The data modeling method "FCO-IM" is a successor of the well known method NIAM; both use natural language to assemble the model. The FCO-IM is an advanced data modeling method which allows more elegant models, capable of better model to model transformations, while remaining to be easily validated by the business and it's users.
FCO-IM advantages compared to other modelling methods are:
- Intense user participation, which leads to better model validation
- 100% conceptual approach, leading to better systems design
- Integrated documentation, supporting improved contexting to the model
- Extend the model fact by fact, ideal for agile development
Using natural language the meaning of data is modelled:
- Clear documentation of business semantics using natural language
- Easy validation of models by business users who are no modeling experts
- Semantics is integrated in the modeling itself and not added afterwards
- Performing model to model transformations maintains the language
Modeling while using real examples reduces misunderstandings:
- Models, entities and attributes, are rooted in real business examples
- Greatly reduces risk of "lost in translation", business language as input and output
- A single example often explains more than any technical or abstract description
Every facttype is seen both as a single indivual as it is part of the whole:
- Supports agile or incremental modeling by adding one fact at a time
- No half facttypes (attributes) or bundles of facttypes (Entity types), but precisely one single unit of information at a time (one facttype)
- Elementary facttypes are easy to spot in FCO-IM, but very hard to see in other models (ERM, UML, OWL, etc.)
CaseTalk supports FCO-IM by offering all things above using:
- Storage of models in an open, exportable sql database
- Live integrated editing of facttypes for continues user feedback
- Easy model extending by re-use of existing facttypes
- Full model validation and verbalization using natural language
- Model transformations to forward engineer to various technical artifacts