¹University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

Correspondence: S. Robinson, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. E-mail: stewart.robinson@warwick.ac.uk

Received April 2006; Accepted November 2006; Published online 17 January 2007.

Abstract

Following on from the definition of a conceptual model and its requirements laid out in a previous paper, a framework for conceptual modelling is described. The framework consists of five iterative activities: understanding the problem situation, determining the modelling and general project objectives, identifying the model outputs, identify the model inputs, and determining the model content. The framework is demonstrated with a modelling application at a Ford Motor Company engine assembly plant. The paper concludes with a discussion on identifying data requirements from the conceptual model and the assessment of the conceptual model.