Introduction

(This introduction is not part of IEEE Std 1320.1-1998, IEEE Standard for Functional Modeling Language—Syntax and Semantics for IDEF0.)

This standard formally documents the Integration Definition 0 (IDEF0) language for function models in two parts. The body of this standard describes the syntax and semantics of the IDEF0 language that are required to draw the physical diagrams of a specific IDEF0 model. Annex B describes the syntax and semantics of the IDEF0 language as an abstract formal structure and, therefore, provides the foundation for the specifics found in the body of the standard. The diagrams discussed by the standard are real instantiations in a concrete model of the mathematical formalisms of the IDEF0 Language Abstract Formalization (the "language formalization").

Background

During the 1970s, the US Air Force Program for Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) sought to increase manufacturing productivity through systematic application of computer technology. The ICAM program identified the need for better analysis and communication techniques for people involved in improving manufacturing productivity.

As a result, the ICAM program developed a series of modeling methodologies known as the ICAM Definition (IDEF) methods, which include

a) IDEF0, used to produce a function model. A function model is a structured representation of the functions within a system or subject area.
b) IDEF1, used to produce an information model. An information model represents the structure and semantics of information within a system or subject area.
c) IDEF2, used to produce a dynamics model. A dynamics model represents the behavior of a system or subject area as it varies over time.

IDEF0 was derived from a well-established graphical modeling method known as the Structured Analysis and Design Technique (SADT). IDEF0 was developed by the originators of SADT, notably Douglas T. Ross, under the ICAM program. In 1983, the US Air Force Integrated Information Support System program enhanced the IDEF1 information modeling technique to develop IDEF1 extended (IDEF1X), a semantic data modeling method.

Continued IDEF method developments followed to address needs for additional analytic methods. These follow-on developments have been directed toward providing a mutually supportive family of methods that are applicable to a broad range of enterprise improvement and integration strategies (e.g., concurrent engineering, total quality management, business reengineering). Reflecting this general applicability, the IDEF acronym has been recast to refer to an integrated family of Integration Definition methods. Currently, IDEF0 and IDEF1X techniques are widely used in the government, industrial, and commercial sectors, supporting modeling efforts for a wide range of enterprises and application domains. IDEF0 has been widely adopted as the function modeling method of choice in large number of both military and nonmilitary organizations in both North America and Europe.

In 1991, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) received support from the US Department of Defense, Office of Corporate Information Management (DoD/CIM), to develop Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) for modeling techniques for use by the federal government. One product of this effort was FIPS PUB 183, Integration Definition for Function Modeling (IDEF0) [B2].a This FIPS document was based on the IDEF specification manuals published by the US Air Force in the early 1980s. At the same time, NIST also published FIPS PUB 184, Integration Definition for Information Modeling (IDEF1X) [B3], to support data modeling for the federal government.

In 1993, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society initiated a project to establish IDEF standards across both industry and government within the standards framework of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). IEEE Std 1320.1-1998 for IDEF0 function models, based on FIPS PUB 183 [B2], is a result of that effort.

This standard is explicitly oriented to the presentation of an IDEF0 model on paper pages; development of an IDEF0 standard for other presentation media is deliberately not addressed by this document. However, integrated into this standard is a mathematically founded formalization of an IDEF0 model. This formalization allows users to separate what they conceive in conceptual space, that is, the model itself, from their presentation of that model and from their presentation media. In earlier work, the IDEF0 diagram was not considered as something that should or could be distinguished from the paper page that presents that diagram. However, the current formalization allows (indeed, forces) users to separate the abstract structure of an IDEF0 model from the physical structure of the presentation of that model using sheets of paper. An important conceptual and notational difference between this work and earlier work is the clear distinction between an IDEF0 graphic diagram and the medium, e.g., a page of paper, that is used to present that diagram.

New terminology has been presented to ensure that this distinction can be easily maintained, and a more robust categorization of both the components of an IDEF0 model and of an IDEF0 diagram has been introduced. This terminology ensures that the usage presented in the body of this standard is consistent with the formalization presented in Annex B. In addition, these changes to the IDEF0 vocabulary will facilitate the development of IDEF0 presentations in digital or other media.

The IDEF0 approach

IDEF0 includes both a modeling language and a comprehensive methodology for developing models. This standard addresses only the syntax and semantics of the modeling language itself.

In addition to definition of the IDEF0 language, the IDEF0 methodology also prescribes procedures and techniques for developing and interpreting models, including ones for data gathering, diagram construction, review cycles, and documentation.

IDEF0 function modeling is designed to represent the decisions, actions, and activities of an existing or prospective organization or system. For all its apparent simplicity, the method is surprisingly powerful and effective. Like most modeling methods, the primary component of IDEF0 is a graphical language whose constructs are intended to convey information of a certain sort. IDEF0 graphics and accompanying texts are presented in an organized and systematic way to gain understanding, support analysis, provide logic for potential changes, specify requirements, and support systems-level design and integration activities. IDEF0 may be used to model a wide variety of systems, composed of people, machines, materials, computers, and information of all varieties and structured by the relationships among them, both automated and nonautomated. For new systems, IDEF0 may be used first to define requirements and to specify functions to be carried out by the future system. As the basis of this architecture, IDEF0 may then be used to design an implementation that meets these requirements and performs these functions. For existing systems, IDEF0 can be used to analyze the functions that the system performs and to record the means by which these are done.

The result of applying IDEF0 to a system is a model that consists of a hierarchical series of diagrams, with accompanying explanatory text, illuminating graphical, and defining glossary pages that are crossreferenced to these diagrams. The two primary modeling components of a diagram are functions (represented by named boxes) and the physical and data objects that interrelate those functions (represented by labeled arrows).

As a function modeling language, IDEF0 has these characteristics:

a) It is comprehensive and expressive, capable of graphically representing a wide variety of business, manufacturing, and other types of enterprise operations to any level of detail.
b) It is a coherent and simple language, allowing rigorous and precise expression and promoting consistency of usage and interpretation.
c) It enhances communication among analysts, architects, developers, managers, and users through its ease of learning and its emphasis on hierarchical exposition of detail.
d) It is well-tested and proven through many years of use by the USAir Force and other government agencies and by private industry.
e) It can be generated by a variety of computer-based tools; several commercial products specifically support development and analysis of IDEF0 diagrams and models.

As a system engineering technique, IDEF0 may be used for performing and managing needs analysis, benefits analysis, requirements definition, functional analysis, systems design, maintenance, and baselines for continuous improvement. IDEF0 models provide a "blueprint" of functions and their interfaces that must be captured and understood in order to make systems engineering decisions that are logical, affordable, integratable, and achievable. When used in a systematic way, IDEF0 provides a systems engineering approach to

a) Performing systems analysis and design at all levels, including the entire enterprise, a system, or a subject area;
b) Producing reference documentation concurrent with development to serve as a basis for integrating new systems or improving existing systems;
c) Allowing collaborative team consensus to be achieved by shared understanding;
d) Managing large and complex projects using qualitative measures of progress; and
e) Providing a reference architecture for enterprise analysis, information engineering, and resource management.

Typographic conventions

A word that has a special meaning for IDEF0 is italicized the first time that it is used in its specific sense for IDEF0. There will be an entry in Clause 2 for each italicized word.

Figure conventions

The figures in this document have been prepared using the IDEF standard diagram form (SDF). The SDF and its use are documented by both FIPS PUB 183 [B2] and FIPS PUB 184 [B3]. FIPS PUB 183 [B2] does not standardize the SDF; instead, the SDF is covered in an informative annex. In keeping with this precedent, this standard also refrains from addressing the SDF as an element of IDEF0 language standardization.

The IDEF SDF is designed for use and presentation on conventional 8½-by-11-inch paper sheets. Therefore, to preserve this conventional size, the figures for this document have been collected at the end of the document rather than being interspersed with the text.

BS ISO/IEC/IEEE 31320-1:2012

Information technology. Modeling Languages - Syntax and Semantics for IDEF0

Current

Published:

31 Aug 2013