On understanding the value of domain modeling

In the context of enterprise and information systems engineering (including enterprise architecture, business process management, etc), a wide range of domain models are produced and used. Examples of such domain models include business process models, enterprise architecture models, information models, all sorts of reference models, and indeed value models and business ontologies. The creation, administration, and use, of such domain models requires an investment in terms of resources (time, money, cognitive effort, etc). We contend that such investments should be met by a (potential) return. In other words, the resulting models and / or the processes involved in their creation, administration, and use, should add value that make these investments worth while. In the work reported on in this paper, we aim to gain a better understanding of the factors that can be used to define the value of modeling. We also look forward to raising a broader discussion on this important topic at VMBO 2021.