Generic engineering approach for agent-based system development

It is necessary to support user-centric service provision paradigm in distributed, dynamic and complex computing environment. Software agent technology is considered as one of the technologies suitable to adopt such computing environment. Many researchers have emphasized on the necessity of agent technology, but the research on agent-based system development methodology is not sufficient. We propose the engineering approach for agent-based system development from problem domain modeling to design phase. We survey existing methodologies and extract considerations to improve them. Based on the considerations, we establish six steps in which modeling method and activities are systematically defined. Also we apply the proposed methodology to virtual example in order to show applicability of the methodology. The proposed methodology is more systematic and useful than existing methodologies. This methodology helps system engineer develop agent-based system and provides ideas to establish more complete methodology.