Using service responsibility tables to supplement UML in analyzing e‐service systems

This paper proposes using Service Responsibility Tables (SRTs) as a tool in analyzing e‐service systems. First it discusses difficulties and deficiencies of using formal modeling languages such as UML in analyzing e‐service systems. It proposes using SRTs as an informal language and lightweight analytical tool to be used by business professionals in analyzing e‐service systems. SRTs are based on a service value chain framework but do not rely on abstract concepts and constructs, and therefore can be used by business professionals to supplement UML. We suggest a set of heuristics for transforming SRTs into two key UML diagrams, thereby illustrating how SRTs can be used as a bridge from relatively informal modeling by business professionals to formal modeling techniques for systems design and implementation by IT professionals.