Task: Capture a Common Business Vocabulary
This task describes how to define the common set of business terms that need to be used consistently on the project.
Disciplines: Business Modeling
Purpose
  • To define a common vocabulary that can be used in all textual descriptions of the business, especially in descriptions of business use cases.
Relationships
RolesPrimary Performer: Additional Performers:
InputsMandatory:
    Optional:
    • None
    Outputs
      Steps
      Find Common Terms

      In business modeling you must define a common vocabulary using the most common terms and expressions in the problem domain. You should then consistently use the common vocabulary in all textual descriptions of the business. In this way, you keep the textual descriptions consistent and avoid misunderstandings among project members about the use and meaning of terms. You should document the vocabulary in a glossary.

      To find common terms in the problem domain, consider terms used when talking about what the business is about. Focus on terms describing the following concepts:

      • Business objects representing concepts used in the organization's daily work. In many cases, a list of concepts of this kind already exists.
      • Real-world objects that the business needs to be aware of. These objects occur naturally, and include such things as: car, dog, bottle, aircraft, passenger, reservation, or invoice.

      Each term is typically described as a noun, with a definition. Terms should be in the singular, "order" and "task", not "orders" and "tasks". All interested parties should agree on definitions for the terms.

      Evaluate Your Results

      You should check the glossary at this stage to verify that your work is headed in the right direction. There is no need to review it in detail. See especially the checklist for the Glossary in Task: Review Requirements.