Advantages of Fact Based Modeling

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


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