Improving AOSE with an Enriched Modelling Framework

Many approaches and tools assist the various tasks required to develop a multi-agent system (MAS), yet there still remains a gap between the generation of MAS models and program code. The resulting popularity of Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) thus demands a methodology that facilitates the development of robust, scalable MAS implementations that recognise real-world semantics. We describe an approach to the development of a complex social care system that defines specific steps along the path to MAS implementation. In particular we explore the use of conceptual knowledge modelling techniques by means of conceptual graphs and a transactions-based architecture for model verification during requirements gathering, together with a translation to AUML for design specification, and propose a rigorous framework to enrich and extend existing AOSE methodologies. The resulting output can then be further developed using the agent development toolkit of choice.