Kenttämalli

Kenttämalli is a Finnish term that translates to "field model" or "domain model" in English. It refers to a conceptual representation of a specific area of knowledge, a business domain, or a problem space. The purpose of a kenttämalli is to capture the essential entities, their attributes, and the relationships between them within that particular domain. This structured representation helps in understanding, communicating, and managing complexity.

In software development, a kenttämalli is often used as a foundation for designing and implementing systems. It serves as a shared understanding between stakeholders, developers, and domain experts, ensuring that the software accurately reflects the real-world concepts it is intended to manage. The model identifies the key "things" (entities) that are relevant to the domain, such as customers, orders, products, or locations. It also defines the properties (attributes) of these entities, like a customer's name or an order's date. Furthermore, it illustrates how these entities interact and relate to each other, for example, a customer can place multiple orders.

The development of a kenttämalli typically involves analysis and abstraction. Experts in the domain collaborate to identify the core concepts and their connections. This process helps to clarify ambiguities and establish a common vocabulary. A well-defined kenttämalli can lead to more robust, maintainable, and understandable software systems, as it provides a clear blueprint of the problem domain. It is a critical step in bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions.