An Open Platform for Modeling Method Conceptualization: The OMiLAB Digital Ecosystem

2019 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 4

Authors: Bork, Dominik; Buchmann, Robert Andrei; Karagiannis, Dimitri; Lee, Moonkun; Miron, Elena-Teodora

Abstract: This paper motivates, describes, demonstrates in use, and evaluates the Open Mod ... Expand

Abstract: This paper motivates, describes, demonstrates in use, and evaluates the Open Models Laboratory (OMiLAB)—an open digital ecosystem designed to help one conceptualize and operationalize conceptual modeling methods. The OMiLAB ecosystem, which a generalized understanding of “model value” motivates, targets research and education stakeholders who fulfill various roles in a modeling method's lifecycle. While we have many reports on novel modeling methods and tools for various domains, we lack knowledge on conceptualizing such methods via a full-fledged dedicated open ecosystem and a methodology that facilitates entry points for novices and an open innovation space for experienced stakeholders. This gap continues due to the lack of an open process and platform for 1) conducting research in the field of modeling method design, 2) developing agile modeling tools and model-driven digital products, and 3) experimenting with and disseminating such methods and related prototypes. OMiLAB incorporates principles, practices, procedures, tools, and services required to address the issues above since it focuses on being the operational deployment for a conceptualization and operationalization process built on several pillars: 1) a granularly defined “modeling method” concept whose building blocks one can customize for the domain of choice, 2) an “agile modeling method engineering” framework that helps one quickly prototype modeling tools, 3) a model-aware “digital product design lab”, and 4) dissemination channels for reaching a global community. In this paper, we demonstrate and evaluate the OMiLAB in research with two selected application cases for domain- and case-specific requirements. Besides these exemplary cases, OMiLAB has proven to effectively satisfy requirements that almost 50 modeling methods raise and, thus, to support researchers in designing novel modeling methods, developing tools, and disseminating outcomes. We also measured OMiLAB’s educational impact. Collapse

Topics: digital ecosystem digital product open innovation organizational context Zachman framework

Methods: conceptual modelling design science design artifact modeling language computational algorithm

CHOOSE: Towards a metamodel for enterprise architecture in small and medium-sized enterprises

2016 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Bernaert, Maxime; Poels, Geert; Snoeck, Monique; De Backer, Manu

Abstract: Enterprise architecture (EA) is a coherent whole of principles, methods, and mod ... Expand

Abstract: Enterprise architecture (EA) is a coherent whole of principles, methods, and models that are used in the design and realization of an enterprise’s organizational structure, business processes, information systems, and IT infrastructure. Recent research indicates the need for EA in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), important drivers of the economy, as they struggle with problems related to a lack of structure and overview of their business. However, existing EA frameworks are perceived as too complex and, to date, none of the EA approaches are sufficiently adapted to the SME context. Therefore, this paper presents the CHOOSE metamodel for EA in SMEs that was developed and evaluated through action research in an SME and further refined and validated through case study research in five other SMEs. This metamodel is based on the essential dimensions of EA frameworks and is kept simple so that it may be applied in an SME context. The final CHOOSE metamodel includes only four essential concepts (i.e. goal, actor, operation, object), one for each most frequently used EA focus. As an example, an extract is included from the specific model that was created for the SME used in our action research. Finally, the CHOOSE metamodel is evaluated according to the dimensions essential in EA and the requirements for EA in an SME context. Collapse

Topics: information system use database system system support Zachman framework requirements analysis

Methods: design science metamodel action research case study qualitative interview

Collaborative Planning in Multi-tier Supply Chains Supported by a Negotiation-Based Mechanism and Multi-agent System

2014 | Group Decision and Negotiation | Citations: 0

Authors: Hernández, Jorge E.; Mula, Josefa; Poler, Raúl; Lyons, Andrew C.

Abstract: Effective business process collaboration between companies operating in a supply ... Expand

Abstract: Effective business process collaboration between companies operating in a supply chain can bring about important benefits, but several barriers need to be overcome. One important obstacle evidenced by professionals is related to the information and communication technologies used to support such collaboration. Although a supplier and a manufacturer may be willing to establish a closer relationship, a lack of easy-to-operate enterprise applications can thwart their collaborative ambitions. Specific technologies are required for each type of collaborative business process as generic applications do not lend themselves to addressing complex situations. Complexity lies in the need to consider common standards for information and decision exchanges, and for designing and implementing the right information and decision flow among supply chain members to support collaborative processes. This paper focuses on collaboration of demand, production and replenishment planning along a supply chain, and proposes a multi-tier, negotiation-based mechanism supported by a multi-agent system. The research hypothesis is that improvements in the service and profit level of supply chain members, and in the entire supply chain, can be achieved by implementing this form of collaboration. The proposed collaborative planning model was used to address a real automotive supply chain configuration for the purpose of testing its appropriateness and validating its performance. Collapse

Topics: decision making supply chain management Zachman framework

Methods: case study literature study design artifact business process modeling conceptual modelling

An Exploration of Enterprise Architecture Research

2013 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 84

Authors: Simon, Daniel; Fischbach, Kai; Schoder, Detlef

Abstract: Management of the enterprise architecture has become increasingly recognized as ... Expand

Abstract: Management of the enterprise architecture has become increasingly recognized as a crucial part of both business and IT management. Still, a common understanding and methodological consistency seems far from being developed. Acknowledging the significant role of research in moving the development process along, this article employs different bibliometric methods, complemented by an extensive qualitative interpretation of the research field, to provide a unique overview of the enterprise architecture literature. After answering our research questions about the collaboration via co-authorships, the intellectual structure of the research field and its most influential works, and the principal themes of research, we propose an agenda for future research based on the findings from the above analyses and their comparison to empirical insights from the literature. In particular, our study finds a considerable degree of co-authorship clustering and a positive impact of the extent of co-authorship on the diffusion of works on enterprise architecture. In addition, this article identifies three major research streams and shows that research to date has revolved around specific themes, while some of high practical relevance receive minor attention. Hence, the contribution of our study is manifold and offers support for researchers and practitioners alike. Collapse

Topics: enterprise architecture TOGAF enterprise modelling Zachman framework marketing management

Methods: co-citation analysis qualitative content analysis factor analysis data transformation bibliometric analysis

Requirement Analysis for Enterprise Information Systems - Developing an Ontological Meta-Model for Zackman Framework

2009 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Chen, Zhuozhi; Pooley, Rob

Abstract: An enterprise information system distinguishes itself from other types of softwa ... Expand

Abstract: An enterprise information system distinguishes itself from other types of software as it is developed to facilitate the operation of an organization hence its requirement reflects its strategies, plans, organizations, processes, marketing etc. We believe that the requirements in the form of domain knowledge acquired in the early stage of system development can be organized and modeled in an Enterprise Architecture. Zachman Framework is one of the most widely used Enterprise Architectures. However, in the original version of the Zachman Framework, there is neither a rigorous meta-model nor a well-defined sequence in which to instantiate the cells, which prevents it from being used practically during the requirement engineering phase of an enterprise information system project. To improve such a situation we develop a conceptual meta-model for the Zachman Framework by adapting and integrating the Bunge-Wand-Weber ontology and the Enterprise Ontology. Based on this meta-model, various requirement acquisition processes can be formulated by specifying a sequence to traverse the meta-model graph and instantiate its nodes and edges. In this paper we present such a process, suitable for an enterprise system development project of a particular situation. Collapse

Topics: knowledge representation Zachman framework requirements elicitation enterprise information system enterprise architecture

Methods: ontological modelling metamodel design science Bunge Wand Weber ontology conceptual modelling

How Can Information and Communication Technology Bring about Development? An Information Architecture for Guiding Interventions in Developing Regions

2009 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kamal, Mehruz; Qureshi, Sajda

Abstract: While a great deal is known about how Information and Communication Technologies ... Expand

Abstract: While a great deal is known about how Information and Communication Technologies are used in developing and underserved communities, there are still gaps as to how ICTs may enable development outcomes to be achieved. It appears that the majority of businesses in developing regions are micro-enterprises which employ between 1-5 people and face challenges of limited resources. This research investigates what is known about how ICTs bring about development and uses these insights to develop an information architecture adapted from the Zachman Framework that integrates the different perspectives. In this research, the key stakeholders are the micro-entrepreneurs who adopt technology to support their businesses and livelihoods. We selected this type of business because the majority of businesses in developing regions are micro-enterprises and their ability to survive greatly increases when they learn to adopt ICTs. However, the challenges are many and their ability to adopt technology depends upon the social, human and economic conditions in which they find themselves. The information architecture proposed in this research considers these challenges and enables appropriate ICTs interventions to be applied. The contribution of this paper is in an information architecture through which development strategies may be implemented. Collapse

Topics: Zachman framework enterprise architecture systems implementation social network information system use

Methods: literature study theoretical contribution

Situational Architecture Engineering (SAE) - Improving Strategic Change Through Architecture Methods

2008 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Leist, Susanne; Zellner, Gregor

Abstract: Market and environmental requirements call for constant changes in enterprises. ... Expand

Abstract: Market and environmental requirements call for constant changes in enterprises. To be able to record these changes in a structured way and to manage them it is helpful to use enterprise architectures as stable regulation frameworks. To support the development and the adaptation of the enterprise architectures there are numerous architecture methods (e.g. Zachman Framework, ARIS (Architecture of Integrated Information Systems), TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), DoDAF (Department of Defense Architecture Framework), BEN (Business Engineering Navigator), Semantic Object Model (SOM)), however, they often lack the necessary flexibility to enable a construction process adaptable to the given situation. This article presents a first approach towards making architecture methods flexible: meta models of the architecture frameworks of selected methods are generated and integrated into a joint meta model. The latter supports the situational adaptability of the enterprise architecture as the architecture method applied has been adapted. Collapse

Topics: enterprise architecture Zachman framework TOGAF Department of Defense Architecture Framework

Methods: metamodel design science

An investigation into applying UML to the Zachman framework

2006 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 2

Authors: Fatolahi, Ali; Shams, Fereidoon

Abstract: The Zachman framework is considered to be the most referenced framework for the ... Expand

Abstract: The Zachman framework is considered to be the most referenced framework for the purpose of enterprise architecture. It is commonplace to compare other frameworks with this basic one in order to show correctness and usability of those frameworks. However, this is more than a fashion, the Zachman framework is actually the best one.Despite of its popularity, the Zachman framework could be a challengeable one in practical situations because there are not enough well-known methods and tools covering all of its aspects. Three major challenges in using this framework, are discussed in this article. These challenges are lack of a methodology, a well-defined repository and a popular modeling notation. Focus of this article is on solving the last problem with the help of notations in UML (Unified Modeling Language) and UML Business Profile.At the first glance the topic seems to be already researched by others, but there are some major distinctions between this work and the others', which make it a unique one. Most of the other work tried to cover the framework using multiple class diagrams stereotyped in different ways. This work tries to cover the Zachman framework using all of the UML features, especially those, which are convenient in common modeling tools as well as ignoring unfamiliar symobls as it is used by some authors.A case study is used upon which we show how to apply the selected notation on a sample enterprise to develop cells in second and third rows of the framework. Models are tested to consider if they are supporting Zachman rules governing the framework. Furthermore, in order to see if they could be convincing enough, a statistical study is employed. Although results of these tests are relatively acceptable, the problem of inventing new modeling notations is mentioned as an open problem. Collapse

Topics: Zachman framework

Methods: design science unified modeling language survey conceptual modelling entity relationship modeling

Management and enterprise architecture click: The FAD(E)E framework

2006 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 5

Authors: Goethals, Frank G.; Snoeck, Monique; Lemahieu, Wilfried; Vandenbulcke, Jacques

Abstract: Enterprises are living things. They constantly need to be (re-)architected in or ... Expand

Abstract: Enterprises are living things. They constantly need to be (re-)architected in order to achieve the necessary agility, alignment and integration. This paper gives a high-level overview of how companies can go about doing ‘enterprise architecture’ in the context of both the classic (isolated) enterprise and the Extended Enterprise. By discussing the goals that are pursued in an enterprise architecture effort we reveal some basic requirements that can be put on the process of architecting the enterprise. The relationship between managing and architecting the enterprise is discussed and clarified in the FAD(E)E, the Framework for the Architectural Development of the (Extended) Enterprise. Collapse

Topics: enterprise architecture Zachman framework enterprise application integration IT alignment

The many faces of architectural descriptions

2006 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 5

Authors: Greefhorst, Danny; Koning, Henk; Vliet, Hans van

Abstract: In recent years architecture has acquired recognition as playing a pivotal role ... Expand

Abstract: In recent years architecture has acquired recognition as playing a pivotal role in change processes. Despite this recognition, describing architecture has proven to be difficult. Architecture frameworks have been defined to address this problem. However, there are many of them, and together they leave us with seemingly contradicting terminology. What are the underlying forces that caused people to create so many different frameworks? What do these frameworks teach us about the essence of architecting? Where do I start to select or create a framework for my current project? With these questions in mind we set out to perform a comparison of existing architecture frameworks. We ended up with a deeper understanding of the function of a framework, and “discovered” nine fundamental dimensions that seem to underlie architectural thinking. These “base dimensions” can be used to clarify the meaning of individual architecture documents independent of the framework they originate from, and they can be helpful in defining new architecture frameworks or situational architecture descriptions. In this paper we also relate our findings to IEEE 1471, which is another important generalisation of existing frameworks. Collapse

Topics: Rational Unified Process Zachman framework system development method

Methods: design methodology survey