Towards a Support Framework for
Enterprise Integration
Ovidiu Noran
EI2N 2010:
5th International Workshop on Enterprise Integration, Interoperability
A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010
The Enterprise Engineering (EE) tasks involved in obtaining / maintaining Enterprise Integration (EI) are on-going,
complex, lengthy and are often ill-defined. To make it worse, Enterprises are moving targets…
Many frameworks aiming to support EE exist. We propose a novel approach based on analysing the interactions of all
relevant EI project participants in a lifecycle context. Major needs:
a) common understanding of the present (AS-IS) b) choosing the future (TO-BE)
c) defining how to reach the future state (actions / schedules) d) communicate this vision to the rest of organisation(s)
Entity E1: the large Farmer / association
Entity E2: the small / medium Carrier
Entity E3: the large Wholesaler
Entity E4: the small / medium Retailer
Entity E5: the Food Plant / Processor
Entity E5: the Commodity Handler
Specific method Meta-methodology Domain Knowledge Entity List
Business Model Activity model
How to ?
Structured Repository
A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010 Domain knowledge Architecture Framework Elements Build Entity List Build Business Model Build Activity Model Aspects (Views) AS-IS, TO-BE Language, Tools Reassess New Knowledge Project Scope Best Practice Environment Factors (expressed in Models) (tacit, reasoning, explicit,..) Enterprise Architect, CIO, Tools input output resource control Activity input output resource control Activity Legend: (NIST, 1993)
Framework component 2:
A repository of Architecture Framework elements
AF Element •type •family •integration •tools •Prerequisites (…, ..., …) •Outcomes (…, …, …) Rule Find AF Elements w. Outcomesmatching Prerequisites Rule Order AF Elements: - least prerequisites - multiple use - integrated set - aspect coverage Rules AF Elements Knowledge Base AF Elements: Modelling Fwks, Languages, Methods, Reference Models …
A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010
Framework component 2 obtained by mapping main AFs to a neutral reference Modelling Formalisms Modelling Fwks Partial Models Tools Modules AF + generic Elements Supports ‘Family’ Zachman ARIS CIM-OSA GRAI
Manuf.& CtrlInfo Human & Org M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C PERA C4ISR / DoDAF Operational View Systems View Technical View Specific Capabilities Technical Criteria Syste ms A ssoc to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng Requi rem ent s T ec hno lo gy C apab ilit ie s Proc es sing & Inf o R equi rem ent s Operational View Systems View Technical View to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng Operational View Systems View Technical View Specific Capabilities Technical Criteria Syste ms A ssoc to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng Requi rem ent s T ec hno lo gy C apab ilit ie s Proc es sing & Inf o R equi rem ent s Operational View Systems View Technical View to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng TOGAF FEAF EM GERA employs Identifies concepts of Enterprise Integration Generalised Enterprise Reference Architecture EEM Describes process of enterprise engineering Enterprise Engineering Methodology 1..* 1..* utilises EML
Provides modelling constructs for processes, technologies and human role
Enterprise Modelling Language
0..* 1..* EET Supports Enterprise Engineering Enterprise Engineering Tool implemented in
Supports Enterprise Engineering
Enterprise Model used to build
EOS
Supports the operation of the particular Enterprise
Enterprise Operational System used to implement
PEM
Provides reusable reference models and designs of processes, technologies and
human roles
Partial Enterprise Model
supports
0..*
0..*
GEMC
Defines the meaning of enterprise modelling constructs
Generic Enterprise Modelling Concept
EMO
Provides implementable modules of operational processes, technologies and human professions
Enterprise Module 0..* 0..* 1..* used to implement 1..* 1..* supports 1..* 1..* 0..* 0..* implemented in 0..* 0…* is a kind of Reference AF: ISO15704 Annex A Other AFs Add Generic Elements ( = imminent) FEAF Modelling Formalisms Modelling Fwks Partial Models Tools Modules AF + generic Elements Supports ‘Family’ Zachman ARIS CIM-OSA GRAI
Manuf.& CtrlInfo Human & Org M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C Manuf.& CtrlInfo Human & Org M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C M H & O I / C PERA C4ISR / DoDAF Operational View Systems View Technical View Specific Capabilities Technical Criteria Syste ms A ssoc to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng Requi rem ent s T ec hno lo gy C apab ilit ie s Proc es sing & Inf o R equi rem ent s Operational View Systems View Technical View to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng Operational View Systems View Technical View Specific Capabilities Technical Criteria Syste ms A ssoc to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng Requi rem ent s T ec hno lo gy C apab ilit ie s Proc es sing & Inf o R equi rem ent s Operational View Systems View Technical View to R equi rem ents Proc essi ng TOGAF FEAF EM GERA employs Identifies concepts of Enterprise Integration Generalised Enterprise Reference Architecture EEM Describes process of enterprise engineering Enterprise Engineering Methodology 1..* 1..* utilises EML
Provides modelling constructs for processes, technologies and human role
Enterprise Modelling Language
0..* 1..* EET Supports Enterprise Engineering Enterprise Engineering Tool implemented in
Supports Enterprise Engineering
Enterprise Model used to build
EOS
Supports the operation of the particular Enterprise
Enterprise Operational System used to implement
PEM
Provides reusable reference models and designs of processes, technologies and
human roles
Partial Enterprise Model
supports
0..*
0..*
GEMC
Defines the meaning of enterprise modelling constructs
Generic Enterprise Modelling Concept
EMO
Provides implementable modules of operational processes, technologies and human professions
Enterprise Module 0..* 0..* 1..* used to implement 1..* 1..* supports 1..* 1..* 0..* 0..* implemented in 0..* 0…* is a kind of Reference AF: ISO15704 Annex A Other AFs Add Generic Elements ( = imminent) FEAF
EM GERA Generalised Reference Architecture EEM Engineering Methodology EML Modelling Language EET Engineering Tool Model EOS Operational System PEM Partial Model GEMC Generic Modelling Concept EMO MOdule supports used in utilised in implemented in used to implement used to build define meaning of
Reference used:
GERAM
(ISO15704:2005
Annex A)A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010
Sample Additional Rules
Should the present state (AS-IS) be modelled?
IF ((TO-BE_obtained_from_AS-IS) OR (AS-IS_not_understood))
THEN (model_AS-IS)
Thus, ‘model present state’ will fire if user asserts the fact that the future state (TO-BE) will be largely based on the present, i.e. no radical changes mandated
Sample Additional Rules (cont.)
Should several BE states be modelled? Should the TO-BE be represented separately from AS-IS?
IF (undecided_TO-BE) THEN (several_TO-BE)
So, if the stakeholders do not have a clear, common view of the future state, represent several scenarios in separate models
and (as a likely consequence):
IF (SEVERAL TO-BE)
A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010 Rules AF Elements Steps & Substeps
Framework component 2: Evolved format
Rules AF Elements Knowledge Base Inference Engine User Interface Steps & Substeps AF Elements Stages, sub-steps Change Management Activities AS-IS, TO-BE(s) Aspects to model Suitable Tools, Languages G u i d a n c e
A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010
How would the system work ?
• The user is prompted to perform actions according
to the main stages and sub-steps. Advice is
provided according to best-practice;
• The system interactively creates ranked lists of
elements suitable for modelling the aspects
necessary for the task at hand. Dependencies are
automatically resolved.
• The user makes selections that confirm or override
the system, returns to saved bookmarks, etc
Conclusions
• EI can benefit substantially from a support
framework. This approach is based on the analysis
of project participants’ interactions in the context of
their lifecycle phases.
• Distinctive features:
– based on an original, tested theoretical concept;
– uses a life cycle paradigm, appropriate for dynamic
organisations;
– uses mainstream AF elements (while AF-neutral);
– suggests areas that need to be represented in the
A support Fwk for EI © Ovidiu Noran 2010
