Models help effectively communicate ideas among designers, allowing for quicker discussion and an eventual consensus. Visual modeling languages may be General-Purpose Modeling (GPM) languages (e.g., UML, Southbeach Notation, IDEF) or Domain-Specific Modeling (DSM) languages (e.g., SysML). Visual modelling in computer science had no standard before the 90's, and was incomparable until the introduction of the UML.
Models are valuable tools for designers to communicate ideas effectively, leading to quicker discussions and a more unified agreement. Visual modeling languages, such as UML or SysML, have become essential for this process. Before the 1990s, visual modeling in computer science was not standardized. The introduction of UML significantly improved this field.