A process for defining a unique correspondence model to relate heterogeneous models

The overall goal of our approach is to relate models of a given domain. Those models are manipulated by different actors, and are thus generally heterogeneous, that is, described with different DSLs (Domain Specific Languages). Instead of building a single global model, we propose to organize the different source models as a network of models, which provides a global view of the system through a virtual global model. The matching of these models is done in a unique correspondence model composed of relationships that are instantiated from a correspondence meta-model. This meta-model is composed of a generic part – common to all the domains – and of a specific part which depends on the specific domain modelled. In this paper, we focus on the elaboration of the correspondence model based on a correspondence meta-model, through a vertical relationship named “refine”. The approach is illustrated on a representative use case (a Bug Tracking System).