Towards an integrated method for hybrid information system development

This paper describes an integrated method for the development of hybrid information systems, which combines conventional information system development methods with knowledge based system development methods. The method is an integration of four existing methods using two integration process approaches: intraprocess and interprocess. In the requirements analysis phase, a structured method is applied to function analysis, an information modelling method is applied to data analysis, and a knowledge acquisition method is applied to knowledge analysis. We then use an intraprocess approach to integrate these techniques together using consistency rules. In the design phase, we use an interprocess approach to transform requirements analysis to object oriented design by a transformation algorithm. Finally, an object oriented method is applied to the design and implementation of hybrid information systems. This method can take advantage of the four methods and also remove some limitations of each individual method. It is applicable to the development of traditional information systems, knowledge based systems, and large and complex hybrid information systems