Analysis Procedure for Validation of Domain Class Diagrams Based on Ontological Analysis

A well-conceived conceptual model is essential to obtain systems that are easier to maintain. The UML class diagram is a powerful tool that can be applied at this step, but the developer has to have a clear understanding of the domain concepts in order to yield a diagram that captures the concepts and the relations of the domain. In order to verify the adequacy of the class diagram, an analysis of the object's essence and its permitted relations can be accomplished. This analysis is called ontological analysis, but its execution can be quite difficult because it is necessary to master sophisticated philosophical concepts like identity and rigidity. This article presents a procedure that aims to accomplish the ontological analysis of the UML class diagram without exposing the complexity of the concepts that underlies the procedure.