Business Modeling with UML

Ericsson is found and Chairman of Open Training Magnus Penker is CEO of Open Training. In order to keep up and be competitive, all companies and enterprises must assess the quality of their products and the efficiency of their services. In doing so, they must consider what is happening in the world around them, and they must also take an introspective look at their products or services. Is their internal operation working smoothly? Can they improve their product or service? Is their production running as efficiently as possible? Can they expand their product or service portfolios to reach new markets and customers? In addition to products and services, today's businesses must also evaluate their information systems. Do the information systems effectively support their way of working? Do the systems adapt easily to change? Is information used as an important strategic resource in the business? Is the information adequate and correct? In many of today's businesses, information systems no longer merely support the business. Increasingly, they are becoming an integral part of it. All businesses make some use of information technology, and it is important that their systems are really built to support the businesses of which they are an integrated part. The business is what ultimately defines the requirements on the information systems, and creating software without a proper understanding of the context in which that software is to operate is a dangerous adventure. In order to get such an understanding, it is essential to make a model of the business. A model is a simplified view of a complex reality. It is a means to creating abstraction, allowing you to eliminate irrelevant details and focus on one or more important aspects at a time. Effective models also facilitate discussions among different stakeholders in the business, allowing them to agree on the key fundamentals and to work towards common goals. Finally, a business model can be the basis for other models, such as models for different information systems that support the business. Modeling (e.g., with UML) has been accepted and established as a means of analyzing and designing software. In order to create the best software, the businesses in which the software systems operate must also be modeled, understood, and sometimes improved. The business model is the center for conducting business or improving how the business is operated. The evolving models also help the developers structure and focus their thinking. …