A study in analysis and design of multi-agent systems

Applying the software engineering discipline to the development of multi-agent systems (MASs) is important, because MASs are complex systems. However, not many methods have been published in the literature. This paper presents a study in applying a familiar object-oriented software engineering method to perform analysis and design to the development of an MAS. This approach focuses on using essential parts of the existing method and adding necessary analysis techniques to form a design of an MAS. The goal is to identify the agents in the system and their associated roles.