Standardization efforts for representing agents and agent-based systems is already in progress. This talk discusses the current efforts to extend UML within both the OMG and FIPA -- resulting in an industry-accepted agent-based UML (AUML). It also presents an overview of the recommended extensions and elicit feedback from the workshop participants.
James J. Odell is a consultant, writer, and educator in the areas of object-oriented and agent-based systems, business reengineering, and complex adaptive systems. Throughout most of his thirty-year career, Mr. Odell has been heavily involved in developing better methods to understand, communicate, and manage system requirements. He was one of the early innovators of information engineering methodologies. Formerly, he was the principal consultant for KnowledgeWare, Inc. where he pioneered and taught the concepts of data modeling, information strategy planning, and CASE technology application. He then became one of the first practical implementors of object-oriented analysis and design. Working with the OMG and other major methodologists, he continues to innovate and improve OO methods and techniques. In particular, he participated in the development of the UML and remains co-chair of the OMG’s Object Analysis and Design Task Force. Most recently, Mr. Odell in involved in agent-based and complex systems—and their application to business systems. He is the co-chair of the OMG's Agents Working Group, where he participates in developing standards for agent technology. He conducts international seminars and workshops (both onsite and public) and provides consulting to major companies worldwide. He has recently co-authored books with James Martin entitled Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (1992), Object-Oriented Methods: Pragmatic Considerations (1996), and Object-Oriented Methods: A Foundation, UML Edition (1998) published by Prentice-Hall. He is currently writing a new book on the agent-based approach. Additionally, he is a columnist for the Journal of Object-Oriented Programming (JOOP) and Distributed Computing magazines.