Enterprise Architecture Software Tool Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: EASE

In the current information society increased attention is being paid to enterprise architecture (EA) and accompanying techniques, models and frameworks. CHOOSE is an EA approach focused on and adapted to the characteristics and needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Though these techniques could offer significant benefits to SMEs, hardly any SME uses EA. The application and implementation of EA in general and the CHOOSE approach in particular, has proven to be a complex and challenging task. This paper describes the research-in-progress of the development of a software tool called EASE in support of the CHOOSE approach in order to maximize this disappointing rate of adoption. Furthermore, the software tool should guide the enterprise architect throughout the entire EA process and facilitate the implementation, management and maintenance of the resulting EA. A brief overview is given of the main features illustrating the added value of this research-in-progress. Finally, validation is achieved by means of multiple case studies.

[1]  Robert Winter,et al.  A Comprehensive Enterprise Architecture Metamodel and Its Implementation Using a Metamodeling Platform , 2005 .

[2]  Roel Wieringa,et al.  The methodological soundness of requirements engineering papers: a conceptual framework and two case studies , 2006, Requirements Engineering.

[3]  Isaca.  Cobit 5 , 2012 .

[4]  Lenka Landryova,et al.  Principles of key performance indicators for small and medium enterprise in European union , 2011, 2011 12th International Carpathian Control Conference (ICCC).

[5]  Monique Snoeck,et al.  Enterprise architecture for small and medium-sized enterprises: a starting point for bringing EA to SMEs, based on adoption models , 2012, CENTERIS 2012.

[6]  Geert Poels,et al.  Quest for Know-How, Know-Why, Know-What and Know-Who: Using KAOS for Enterprise Modelling , 2011, EIS.

[7]  M. K. Sharma,et al.  Information system architecture: a framework for a cluster of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) , 2007 .

[8]  Daniel L. Moody,et al.  The “Physics” of Notations: Toward a Scientific Basis for Constructing Visual Notations in Software Engineering , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering.

[9]  Ian Sommerville,et al.  Software process models , 1996, CSUR.

[10]  Samir Chatterjee,et al.  A Design Science Research Methodology for Information Systems Research , 2008 .

[11]  Farhad Arbab,et al.  Enterprise architecture: Management tool and blueprint for the organisation , 2006, Inf. Syst. Frontiers.

[12]  Fred D. Davis.  Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology , 1989, MIS Q..

[13]  N. Rescher.  Methodological Pragmatism: A Systems-Theoretic Approach to the Theory of Knowledge , 1977 .

[14]  John A. Welsh,et al.  A Small Business is not a Little Big Business Harvard Business Review, Vol. 59, No. 4, July/August, 1981, pp.18 (9 pages , 1982 .

[15]  M. Lankhorst.  Enterprise Architecture at Work , 2013 .

[16]  Salvatore T. March,et al.  Design and natural science research on information technology , 1995, Decis. Support Syst..

[17]  Diana Hicks,et al.  Small Firms and Technology: Acquisitions, Inventor Movement, and Technology Transfer , 2004 .

[18]  Marc M. Lankhorst,et al.  Enterprise Architecture at Work - Modelling, Communication and Analysis, 2nd Edition , 2005, The Enterprise Engineering Series.

[19]  Daniel L. Moody,et al.  The method evaluation model: a theoretical model for validating information systems design methods , 2003, ECIS.

[20]  Barry W. Boehm,et al.  A spiral model of software development and enhancement , 1986, Computer.

[21]  Stephen H. Kaisler,et al.  Enterprise Architecting: Critical Problems , 2005, Proceedings of the 38th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[22]  Van Haren,et al.  TOGAF Version 9.1 , 2011 .

[23]  Martin Bichler,et al.  Design science in information systems research , 2006, Wirtschaftsinf..

[24]  Christian M. Schweda,et al.  Tool Support for Enterprise Architecture Management - Strengths and Weaknesses , 2006, 2006 10th IEEE International Enterprise Distributed Object Computing Conference (EDOC'06).