Design Patterns and Inductive Modeling Rules to Support the Construction of Ontologically Well-Founded Conceptual Models in OntoUML

In recent years, there has a growing interest in the use of Ontologically Well-Founded Conceptual Modeling languages to support the domain analysis phase in Information Systems Engineering. OntoUML is an example of a conceptual modeling language whose metamodel has been designed to comply with the ontological distinctions and axiomatic theories put forth by a theoretically well-grounded Foundational Ontology. However, despite its growing adoption, OntoUML has been deemed to pose a significant complexity to novice modelers. This paper presents a number of theoretical and methodological contributions aimed at assisting these modelers. Firstly, the paper explores a number of design patterns which are derived from the ontological foundations of this language. Secondly, these patterns are then used to derive a number of model construction rule sets. The chained execution of these rule sets assists the modeler in the instantiation of these patterns, i.e., in the use of OntoUML as pattern-language. Thirdly, the article demonstrates how these rule sets can be materialized as a set of methodological guidelines which can be directly implemented in a tool support in the form of an automated dialogue with the novice modeler.