VeGAn-Tool: A Fuzzy-logic Approach for Value-based Goal Model Analysis

TL;DR

The paper addresses prioritizing goals in goal models from the stakeholders’ perspective under uncertainty. It introduces VeGAn-Tool, a Java-based solution that applies fuzzy-logic with a variant of FTOPSIS to compute local and global values for intentional elements and to propagate these values across model relationships, yielding a value-aware, prioritized model with values in the range $-100$ to $100$. The tool supports loading models in XMI (Ecore) and optional piStar imports, collects per-element importance and confidence from stakeholders, and version-controls prioritizations over time. An empirical MODELSWARD study indicates users were more satisfied with value-based prioritization than with satisfaction-based analysis, suggesting practical benefits for VBSE and incremental development. The authors outline planned enhancements, including interoperability with other goal-modelers, explainability features, and broader end-user evaluations.

Abstract

Goal-oriented analysis tools are used to assess goal models and assist analysts in decision-making. We introduce the VeGAn-Tool, which prioritizes goals according to their qualitative importance for the stakeholders and propagates this information in the goal model according to the different types of relationships. The FTOPSIS technique is used to calculate the value of each intentional element by employing the fuzzified importance (importance level fuzzified and refined by a confidence level) and the impact among the related intentional elements. The result is a prioritized goal model according to the value of each intentional element from the stakeholders' point of view.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Result of the analysis of the goal model of Meeting Scheduler system