A Conceptual Framework for Analysing Enterprise Engineering Methodologies

Abstract

For the design and engineering of enterprises, several methodologies are available that successfully address certain aspects of design problems in enterprises or certain domains. In real-world design problems it is essential to choose the right means to reach the desired ends. Often it is not apparent which methodology is best chosen in order to reach desired ends. Additionally, real-world design problems often require several such methodologies to be combined because multiple aspects have to be covered and/or the problem combines characteristics of several domains. In order to allow for a systematically understanding and comparison of methodologies and for a facilitation of their composition (if necessary), we propose a general conceptual framework. The framework allows analysing the essential concepts and constituent parts of enterprise engineering methodologies. The resulting analysis supports decisions making concerning which methodology or which combinations of methodologies to apply to the given design problem. To demonstrate its usefulness, we first analyse the concepts and building blocks of two design and engineering methodologies on that basis. Second, we show how these two methodologies, which are based on very similar concepts -- as resulted from the analysis by applying the conceptual framework -- can be combined in order to derive at a complete solution for a given design problem.