An Approach to Data Quality Evaluation

This research proposes a new approach to data quality evaluation comprising 3 aspects: (1) data object definition, which quality will be analyzed, (2) quality requirements specification for the data object using Domain Specific Language (DSL), (3) implementation of an executable data quality model that would enable scanning of data object and detect its shortages. Like the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) the data quality modelling is divided into platform independent (PIM) and platform-specific (PSM) models. PIM comprises informal specifications of data quality, PSM describes implementation of data quality model, thus making the data quality model executable. The approbation of the proposed…

Requirements Model of Sociotechnical Systems Simulator Architecture

To avoid any voluntary decisions it is desirable to examine the possible consequences that can be done by simulation. Unfortunately there is no unified methodology and technology for simulators designing. Above mentioned problem when development of each simulator has to be started from the scratches makes elaboration expensive and cumbersome. The article dealt with the way to joint understanding of simulators designing concept.

Data Quality Model-based Testing of Information Systems

This paper proposes a model-based testing approach by offering to use the data quality model (DQ-model) instead of the program’s control flow graph as a testing model. The DQ-model contains definitions and conditions for data objects to consider the data object as correct. The study proposes to automatically generate a complete test set (CTS) using a DQmodel that allows all data quality conditions to be tested, resulting in a full coverage of DQ-model. In addition, the possibility to check the conformity of the data to be entered and already stored in the database is ensured. The proposed alternative approach changes the testing process: (1) CTS can be generated prior to software developmen…

Data Quality Model-based Testing of Information Systems: the Use-case of E-scooters

The paper proposes a data quality model-based testing methodology aimed at improving testing methodology of information systems (IS) using previously proposed data quality model. The solution supposes creation of a description of the data to be processed by IS and the data quality requirements used for the development of the tests, followed by performing an automated test of the system on the generated tests verifying the correctness of data to be entered and stored in the database. The generation of tests for all possible data quality conditions creates a complete set of tests that verify the operation of the IS under all possible data quality conditions. The proposed solution is demonstra…

An Extended Data Object-driven Approach to Data Quality Evaluation: Contextual Data Quality Analysis

This research is an extension of a data object-driven approach to data quality evaluation allowing to analyse data object quality in scope of multiple data objects. Previously presented approach was used to analyse one particular data object, mainly focusing on syntactic analysis. It means that the primary data object quality can be analysed against secondary data objects of unlimited number. This opportunity allows making more comprehensive, in-depth contextual data object analysis. The given analysis was applied to open data sets, making comparison between previously obtained results and results of application of the extended approach, underlying importance and benefits of the given exten…

Towards a Concurrence Analysis in Business Processes

This paper presents first steps towards a solution aimed to provide concurrent business processes analysis methodology for predicting the probability of incorrect business process execution. The aim of the paper is to (a) look at approaches to describing and dealing with the execution of concurrent processes, mainly focusing on the transaction mechanisms in database management systems, (b) present an idea and a preliminary version of an algorithm that detects the possibility of incorrect execution of concurrent business processes. Analyzing business process according to the proposed procedure allows to configure transaction processing optimally.

Sustainable Development Model of EU Cities Compliant with UN Settings

Nowadays, the globally accepted UN concept of sustainable development (SD) is gradu®ally transferred to the city level, including small and medium-sized cities. The implementation of SD settings requires regular measurement of developmental progress to monitor the level achieved in statics and dynamics, and to make strategic decisions for the next period. The existing urban SD indicator systems and indices are not well-suited for the monitoring of specific cities. Benchmarking algorithms and mathematical modelling procedures were applied to create a methodology and mathematical model for measuring the achieved urban SD level and to ensure the most objective selection and proportions of key …

Testing of Execution of Concurrent Processes

Authors propose an algorithm for analysis of business processes to detect potentially incorrect results of concurrent processes execution. Our novel approach is to conclude necessary database isolation level from business process description. If traditional languages with loops and arithmetic operations (two-way counters) are used for business process descriptions, the problem of detecting incorrect execution of concurrent processes cannot be algorithmically solved. This paper introduces a simplified business processes description language CPL-1, a transaction mechanism and an algorithm that supports detection of incorrect results during the concurrent execution of business processes. Busin…

Transparent Model for State Management

To ensure optimum governance of the state (regions, sectors, specific activities) all management system units (tasks, functions and services, normative environment, institutional framework, budget funding) have to operate in strong cooperation and consistency, which should be defined by corresponding documents. Unfortunately this logical relevance does not always exist. Documents and information are weakly connected, because of the huge complexity of units that objectively hinders implementation of the strong linkage and seriously weakens management quality. The situation can be radically improved by usage of ontological methodology for development of the back-office of the management syste…

Models of Event Driven Systems

This paper provides the business process modeling approach based on usage of Domain Specific Languages (DSL). The proposed approach allows us to create executable information systems’ models and extends the concept of Event Driven Architecture (EDA) with the business process execution description. It lets us apply principles of the Model Driven Development (MDD) in order to create the information system which complies with the model. The proposed approach provides a set of advantages in information systems development, use and maintenance: bridges the gap between business and IT, an exact specification, which is easily to implement into information system, up-to-date documentation etc. The …

Data Quality Model-Based Testing of Information Systems: Two-Level Testing of the Insurance System

In order to develop reliable software, its operating must be verified for all possible cases of use. This can be achieved, at least partly, by means of a model-based testing (MBT), by establishing tests that check all conditions covered by the model. This paper presents a Data Quality Model-based Testing (DQMBT) using the data quality model (DQ-model) as a testing model. The DQ-model contains definitions and conditions for data objects to consider the data object as correct. The proposed testing approach allows complete testing of the conformity of the data to be entered and the data already stored in the database. The data to be entered shall be verified by means of predefined pre-conditio…

Business Process Models and Information System Usability

Abstract The paper describes the use of business process models for effective managing of information system execution processes and transparent representation of execution statuses. Contrary to traditional approaches where business process models are used only in the initial stages of information system development, the proposed approach suggests direct utilization of business process models during the use of information systems. Information system usability can be improved by using new means of representation, and business process models can serve as an efficient way to visualize execution processes in information systems.

Towards Data Quality Runtime Verification

This paper discusses data quality checking during business process execution by using runtime verification. While runtime verification verifies the correctness of business process execution, data quality checks assure that particular process did not negatively impact the stored data. Both, runtime verification and data quality checks run in parallel with the base processes affecting them insignificantly. The proposed idea allows verifying (a) if the process was ended correctly as well as (b) whether the results of the correct process did not negatively impact the stored data in result of its modification caused by the specific process. The desired result will be achieved by use of domain sp…

Asynchronous Runtime Verification of Business Processes

The authors propose a runtime verification mechanism for business processes. This mechanism allows verifying the correctness of business process execution and it runs in parallel with the base processes affecting them insignificantly. The authors have identified the case where the use of business process runtime verification is helpful and applicable. The verification mechanism monitors the business process execution and verifies compliance with the base process description. The verification mechanism prototype was developed and tested in real business processes, as well as limits of runtime verification overhead were evaluated.

Smart Technologies for Improved Software Maintenance

Steadily increasing complexity of software systems makes them difficult to configure and use without special IT knowledge. One of the solutions is to improve software systems making them “smarter”, i.e. to supplement software systems with features of self-management, at least partially. This paper describes several software components known as smart technologies, which facilitate software use and maintenance. As to date smart technologies incorporate version updating, execution environment testing, self-testing, runtime verification and business process execution. The proposed approach has been successfully applied in several software projects.

Models of Data Quality

The research proposes a new approach to data quality management presenting three groups of DSL (Domain Specific Language). The first language group uses concept of data object in order to describe data to be analysed, the second group describes the requirements on data quality, and the third group describes data quality management process. The proposed approach deals with development of executable quality specifications for each kind of data objects. The specification can be executed step-by-step according to business process descriptions, ensuring the gradual accumulation of data in the database and data quality verification according to the specific use case.

Towards a Business Process Model-based Testing of Information Systems Functionality

Data quality evaluation: a comparative analysis of company registers’ open data in four European countries

A Step Towards a Data Quality Theory

Data quality issues have been topical for many decades. However, a unified data quality theory has not been proposed yet, since many concepts associated with the term “data quality” are not straightforward enough. The paper proposes a user-oriented data quality theory based on clearly defined concepts. The concepts are defined by using three groups of domain-specific languages (DSLs): (1) the first group uses the concept of a data object to describe the data to be analysed, (2) the second group describes the data quality requirements, and (3) the third group describes the process of data quality evaluation. The proposed idea proved to be simple enough, but at the same time very effective in…

Informative model for national development management

Strategic planning experience shows the major problem of the national planning system - plan- ning documents are faintly intercorrelative (including aspects "from long-term to short-term" and "from general to concrete"), as well non-linked with managing and implementing institutions (public sector func- tions and services) and budgetary appropriation. It creates huge barriers to carry out plans. Structurization of all system's objects in logical units and determination of strict interrelations between them is the pro- posed solution of the problem. Informative model of planning system have to be developed as depository of logical units and their interlinkage. It becomes possible to manage i…

Automatic construction of test sets: Theoretical approach

We consider the problem of automatic construction of complete test set (CTS) from program text. The completeness criterion adopted is C1, i.e., it is necessary to execute all feasible branches of program at least once on the tests of CTS. A simple programming language is introduced with the property that the values used in conditional statements are not arithmetically deformed. For this language the CTS problem is proved to be algorithmically solvable and CTS construction algorithm is obtained. Some generalizations of this language containing counters, stacks or arrays are considered where the CTS problem remains solvable. In conclusion the applications of the obtained results to CTS constr…

Asynchronous Runtime Verification of Business Processes: Proof of Concept

Self-management of Information Systems

The paper discusses self-management features that are intended to support the usage and maintenance processes in the information system life. Instead of a universal solutions that are evolved by many researchers in the autonomic computing field, this approach, called smart technologies, anticipates self-management features by including autonomic components into information systems directly. The approach is practically applied in several information systems, and the gained results show that the implementation of self-management features requires relatively modest resources. Thereby the approach is suitable even for smaller projects and companies.

Risks of Concurrent Execution in E-Commerce Processes

The development of ICT facilitates replacing the traditional buying and selling processes with e-commerce solutions. If several customers are served concurrently, e.g. at the same time, the processes can interference each other causing risks for both the buyer and the seller. The paper offers a method to identify purchase/sale risks in simultaneous multi-customer service processes. First, an exact model of buying-selling processes is created and the conditions for the correct process execution are formulated. Then an analysis of all the possible scenarios, including the concurrently executed buying-selling scenarios, is performed using a symbolic execution of process descriptions. The obtai…

Domain-Specific Characteristics of Data Quality

The research discusses the issue how to describe data quality and what should be taken into account when developing an universal data quality management solution. The proposed approach is to create quality specifications for each kind of data objects and to make them executable. The specification can be executed step-by-step according to business process descriptions, ensuring the gradual accumulation of data in the database and data quality checking according to the specific use case. The described approach can be applied to check the completeness, accuracy, timeliness and consistency of accumulated data.

Executable Data Quality Models

The paper discusses an external solution for data quality management in information systems. In contradiction to traditional data quality assurance methods, the proposed approach provides the usage of a domain specific language (DSL) for description data quality models. Data quality models consists of graphical diagrams, which elements contain requirements for data object's values and procedures for data object's analysis. The DSL interpreter makes the data quality model executable therefore ensuring measurement and improving of data quality. The described approach can be applied: (1) to check the completeness, accuracy and consistency of accumulated data; (2) to support data migration in c…

Smart Technologies in Software Life Cycle

In software life cycle models traditionally the main attention is being paid to the software development, including requirement gathering (specification), design, implementation and testing. Less research is devoted to the system maintenance and operation despite the fact that these aspects take up the main part of the duration of a successful system. In the paper smart technologies are being analysed - architectural designs and software components which using meta information on system and its usage conditions are able to solve efficiently the problems of maintenance and usage: data quality and performance monitoring, software flexibility and testability, context dependant user interface. …