This paper outlines a framework which supports the use of multiple perspectives in system development, and provides a means for developing and applying systems design methods. The framework uses "viewpoints" to partition the system specification, the development method and the formal representations used to express the system specifications. This VOSE (viewpoint-oriented systems engineering) framework can be used to support the design of heterogeneous and composite systems. We illustrate the use of the framework with a small example drawn from composite system development and give an account of prototype automated tools based on the framework.

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The problem of assessing the value of mathematical models in physiology and medicine is considered. The role of validation within the modeling process is clearly defined. An appropriate vocabulary and validation procedures to be adopted are outlined for simple and complex models, with these two classes defined operationally on the basis of theoretical identifiability. Some examples illustrating these validation procedures are briefly discussed. It is shown that simple and complex models each have a role both in physiology and clinical application when properly validated.

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