Interaction-based feature-driven model-transformations for generating e-forms

One of the basic pillars in Model-Driven Software Development (MDSD) is defined by model transformations and likewise several useful approaches have been proposed in this context. In parallel, domain modeling plays an essential role in MDSD to support the definition of concepts in the domain, and support the model transformation process. In this paper, we will discuss the results of an e-government project for the generation of e-forms from feature models. Very often existing model transformation practices seem to largely adopt a closed world assumption whereby the transformation definitions of models are defined beforehand and interaction with the user at run-time is largely omitted. Our study shows the need for a more interactive approach in model transformations in which e-forms are generated after interaction with the end-user. To show the case we illustrate three different approaches for generation in increasing complexity: (1) offline model transformation without interaction (2) model transformation with initial interaction (3) model-transformation with run-time interaction.