Abstract
Data integration is very critical in developing an integrated software system for real time process operations. To support this, this paper presents a conceptual data model that considers the data used in process operation activities as the combination of two dimensions: "Domain" and "Variability". The former classifies objects of the process operation domain such as process plant, its components, and operation activities. The latter focuses on describing the variability characteristics of those objects. The conceptual model renders flexibility in allowing different ways of combining two dimensions to meet application requirements. The model provides a conceptual basis for developing detailed data models or class libraries. © 2000 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.