Towards an agent-oriented approach to conceptualization

Agent-oriented modeling provides a new technique for the conceptualization of agent-based systems. This paper extends and formalizes this agent-oriented modeling approach to the conceptualization process. It defines agent models and proposes a high-level methodology for agent-oriented analysis and design. It also includes analogies with the object-oriented and other existing agent-oriented methodologies, wherever applicable. The paper is concluded with a case study and an insight to future challenges.