A taxonomy of a living model of the enterprise

International Journal of Flexible Manufacturing Systems, 2001

This paper presents the results of a field study designed to determine how enterprise models are used. The paper begins with an introduction to enterprise models then provides an overview of the survey method used. No known empirical studies have been conducted to determine how enterprise models actually are used by industry. The research is designed to answer this question. A screening sample and complete web-based survey of 72 enterprise modelers was conducted. The primary research question of this survey was on the use of enterprise models, with particular focus on the three dimensions of living models: scope, enactment, and dynamicity. Half the respondents claim that their enterprise models were of their entire division, multiple divisions, and even multiple enterprises. It is encouraging to see that enterprise models are used on such a wide scope. The enactment of the enterprise models was not as large as was expected. Of the respondents, 75% claimed that their models did not r...

Design and analysis of an enterprise frequently requires a model of the enterprise. These models are often viewed as a means to an end and are considered to have no intrinsic value in themselves beyond the purpose for which they were created. We propose that a living enterprise model will give the model value in itself to the enterprise. In this paper, we provide an explanation of what is meant by a living enterprise model. We give an overview of enterprise modeling along with key definitions. Ongoing enterprise efforts are reviewed as they relate to a living enterprise model. We then discuss the needs and requirements of living enterprise models and list some key issues. Finally, proposed future directions are presented.

2019

This paper combines ideas from separate research streams to identify high-level design choices related to the scope and content of enterprise models. It summarizes the work system modeling method (WSMM), an extension of a long research stream related to seeing enterprises as interacting work systems. It applies a recently developed framework for describing theoretical perspectives to articulate numerous aspects of a work system perspective on enterprise modeling (EM). This paper’s main contributions include its approach for exploring conceptual or theoretical starting points for enterprise modeling and its expanded view of a work system perspective on enterprise modeling.

ASME 1995 15th International Computers in Engineering Conference and the ASME 1995 9th Annual Engineering Database Symposium

This paper presents an overview of various approaches to enterprise modeling, illustrated by present and future applications of enterprise modeling technology. A taxonomy derived from different objectives of enterprise modeling is proposed. Preliminary experiences from a large-scale enterprise modeling and organizational restructuring project are reported. The project was conducted at a natural gas process plant operated by the Norwegian oil company Statoil. We argue that the potential of enterprise modeling in business process improvements only can be utilized when the methodology is brought to the heads and hands of the inhabitants of the enterprise. Finally, a coordination environment denoted “the control room metaphor” is presented as a futuristic view of enterprise model development and application.

Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on …, 2004

This paper presents a framework for the evaluation of enterprise models and applies it to a selection of twenty relatively large real-world enterprise models. The framework is based on the distinction between the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic model aspects. The specific evaluation metrics for each aspect are drawn from an extensive literature survey. The paper concludes with an attempt to integrate all the proposed metrics into a composite score. The particular strength of the paper is that it presents a practical way of comparing and evaluating models from different reference disciplines and using widely different notations.

An account is given of the possibilities and limitations of reusing Enterprise Models (EM) 1 . Special difficulties are discussed which arise from the fact that stake-holders in the enterprise engineering process do not belong to a single homogeneous language community. Measures are proposed which ensure that models are interpreted as intended, thereby controlling the quality of the processes using enterprise models -such as enterprise engineering. A practical definition of model completeness is presented, based on a pragmatic theory of meaning and theory of communication.

1998

Enterprise management is highly value conscious, trying to determine and guide the activities of the company so as to be competitive (improve pro® ts, reduce costs and time to market, etc.) and to build future capability to remain competitive. It is necessary to demonstrate why enterprise modelling is necessary to attain business objectives. We then discuss the role of interfaces in enterprise engineering and why enterprise modelling will play an even more signi® cant role in the future enterprise. Finally, we discuss three research questions: model interoperability, the development of a reference model for global virtual enterprise, and plug-and-play, or`component-based' enterprise engineering.

Business & Information Systems Engineering

The benefits of enterprise modelling (EM) and its contribution to organizational tasks are largely undisputed in business and information systems engineering. EM as a discipline has been around for several decades but is typically done by a limited number of people in organizations inclined to modelling. What is captured in models is only a fragment of what ought to be captured. Thus, this research note argues that EM is far away from its maximum potential. Many people develop some kind of model in their local practice without thinking about it consciously. Exploiting the potential of this "grass roots modelling" could lead to groundbreaking innovations. The aim is to investigate integration of the established practices of modelling with local practices of creating and using model-like artifacts of relevance for the overall organization. The paper develops a vision for extending the reach of EM, identifies research areas contributing to the vision and proposes elements of a future research agenda.

2018

The increasing volatility and complexity of business models call for a fast and yet robust approach to continuous transformation. Enterprise Design is an emerging and practice-driven response for generating and implementing business models, while integrating innovative and disruptive Information Technology. At a limited scale, practical experience has been gained in several industry environments. To establish a research program to further enhance, develop and mature Enterprise Design, a ⁄2 day Industry-meets-Academia forum on Enterprise Design was conducted, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, and seeking for opportunities for further research collaboration with industrial relevance. It appeared to be crucial to further increase the speed and robustness of transformation by a gradual expansion of the metamodel of the ED approach, continuously applied on real-life cases (e.g. supported by low-code platforms). Also of major relevance is the creation of a governanc...