"From Napkin Sketches to Smart Software: How to Embrace Flexibility?"

2025-10-06

Ever sketched an idea on a napkin and thought, “This could be something big”?

Turns out, that’s not far from how software engineers often begin designing complex systems. But often, those informal sketches were left out of the digital loop. Now, researchers at Mälardalen University present a roadmap for future development that takes this into account. Their study on flexible modelling aims to help bridge the gap between freehand creativity and the rigid world of formal software design—making it easier, faster, and more intuitive to build the digital tools that power our lives.

Making Software Design More Human

Software engineers never start with code. They sketch, brainstorm, and diagram solutions—just like anyone else solving a problem. But traditional software tools demand strict rules and formal structures, which can stifle creativity and slow down innovation.

“We wanted to understand how engineers really work, and how we can support that with smarter tools,” says Dr. Robbert Jongeling, lead author of the study. “Flexible modelling is about embracing the messy, creative side of design and making it useful in a structured way.”

Together with Dr. Federico Ciccozzi, the team reviewed over a decade of research to understand how informal sketches and diagrams can be transformed into powerful, usable models—without losing their creative spark. The authors conducted a systematic literature review to understand what has already been done in this field, what works, what doesn’t, and where future research should go.

What Is Flexible Modelling, Really?

Imagine drawing a flowchart on a whiteboard. It’s quick, intuitive, and great for brainstorming. But once you want to turn that into a working software system, you usually have to start over in a formal tool. That’s where flexible modelling comes in.

It allows engineers to:

• Start with informal sketches or diagrams.
• Gradually add structure and meaning.
• Convert those ideas into formal models that software tools can understand and manipulate.
• Add informal and uncertain elements to formal models.

This means less time wasted redoing work, and more time spent innovating.

Why is this important?

By reviewing existing research in a structured way, the authors created a clear overview of what’s already known about flexible modelling. They didn’t stop there—they also identified key challenges, such as improving collaboration between users, making tools easier to use, and ensuring the research is relevant to real-world industry needs. In the end, their work lays a solid foundation for future research and tool development. This helps researchers and developers avoid repeating past mistakes and instead focus on solving meaningful problems.

The Concrete Result: A Map of the Future

The researchers identified a spectrum of modelling practices, from freehand sketches to fully formal software models. They identified tools, techniques, and gaps in current technology, offering a roadmap for future development.

Their findings highlight:

• The need for tools that support both informal and formal modelling.
• The importance of collaboration across disciplines.
• The potential for AI-powered assistants to guide users from sketch to software.

How This Research Supports the UN Sustainability Goals

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

This work contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by making software development more efficient and inclusive. It also supports faster, more collaborative development, flexible modelling helps build resilient infrastructure, and promotes sustainable innovation.

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