MDA, MDD, Model Driven Development/Model Driven Architecture is a foundational approach to doing quality work. As a KE (Knowledge Engineer) it is often our primary function to FIRST set up a dictionary of the data, models, attributes, business terms, etc. and then, the hardest step, is to convince all of the participants that this is the corner stone of the rest of the project. If they cannot agree on this then the project is doomed.

And in answer to your question, yes, a separate modeling effort must be done up front. You can always modify it later.

Team collaboration is the cowards way to spread the blame when something goes wrong. Somebody has to be the final decision maker – and I don’t mean Bush nor Obama. Usually that someone will be you, the KE, the know-it-all AI guy who is trying to help them get something done that will reap the company lots of savings in the future.

SDG
jco