A coevolutionary framework of business-IT alignment via the lens of enterprise architecture

Due to the turbulent external business environment, the complexity of internal relations of the organization and the emergence of subversive IT roles, the business-IT alignment(BITA)has become increasingly difficult. The unsuccessful realization of BITA will lead to the waste of organizational resources, the reduction of return on investment and eventually the loss of competitive advantage. In recent years, coevolution has received widespread attention due to its ability to describe the dynamic relationship between IT and business. Multiple principles such as quickening learning action loops and adopt suitable organizing principles for achieving business and IT coevolution(BITC) are obtained. However, the continuous BITC is still hard to be achieved because of the lack of complete BITC management. This paper focuses on the management process of the BITC and how to perform it gradually. A coevolution framework combines the enterprise architecture(EA) approach with the coevolution analysis is proposed, which contains the design of EA, the sensing and governance of the misalignment and the procedure of the EA misalignment prevention.The steps for the governance and prevention of misalignment are discussed in particular. Through comparison with the principles,characteristics and methods of coevolution in the literature, the proposed framework is evaluated. The results show that the proposed framework is effective for BITC implementation.

Rethinking Enterprise Architecture for Sustainable Energy System Development

The development of a sustainable energy system throughout an enterprise is a complex task, which requires an agile holistic approach. Such an approach needs to include a variety of objectives including energy strategy formation and strategic decision-making, which are directly related to the analysis and management of the main areas of sustainable development： The economic, technological, environmental, and social. These multidimensional requirements of sustainability are often difficult to achieve within the enterprise, because these aspects are interrelated and influenced by various internal and external environment factors. This paper first reviews the main challenges for an energy system, and then demonstrates how a strategic agile enterprise architecture driven approach could effectively guide the sustainable energy system development. The study presented in this paper provides a holistic approach that contributes to the advancement and usage of literature dealing with issues of sustainable energy system development and agile enterprise architecture, which has not been discussed before to any great extent.

Empirically Modeling Enterprise Architecture Using ArchiMate

Enterprise Architecture(EA)has evolved based on the practice of information systems architecture design and implementation.EA is a rigorous description of a structure,and the objectives of EA modeling not only include clarifying corporate strategies,visualizing business processes,and modeling information systems to manage resources but also include improving organizational structures,adjusting information strategies,and creating new business value.Therefore,EA models cover a wide scope that includes both IT and business architectures.Typically,EA modeling is the initial and most important analysis step for researchers,architects,and developers.ArchiMate is the dominant modeling language for EA and it has been shown to improve visualization of EA models.However,few studies have systematically introduced general modeling methods using ArchiMate to meet a broad range of needs and few studies have empirically evaluated the modeling method using ArchiMate.This paper introduces an EA visualization approach to fill that gap and conducts a case study on a wilderness weather station system.Strict controlled experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of this modeling method,and the experimental results show that this modeling procedure is not only feasible,but also can effectively transform the system metamodel and restore the EA scene.

Model Construct Based Enterprise Model Architecture and Its Modeling Approach

In order to support enterprise integration, a kind of model construct based enterprise model architecture and its modeling approach are studied in this paper. First, the structural makeup and internal relationships of enterprise model architecture are discussed. Then, the concept of reusable model construct (MC) which belongs to the control view and can help to derive other views is proposed. The modeling approach based on model construct consists of three steps, reference model architecture synthesis, enterprise model customization, system design and implementation. According to MC based modeling approach a case study with the background of one-kind-product machinery manufacturing enterprises is illustrated. It is shown that proposal model construct based enterprise model architecture and modeling approach are practical and efficient.

Case Study of Service Oriented Enterprise Architecture Framework

Many organizations have now adopted Service Oriented Architecture （SOA） as an architectural style to help them with architecture, design and implementation of their core services and systems. Most of these organizations are challenged in integrating SOA style with their overall Enterprise Architecture work. This framework links an SOA style with the Enterprise Architecture （EA） methodologies to help organizations organize their SOA effort as a key part of their Enterprise Architecture. The case study demonstrates the implementation of architecture goal with organization vision in service oriented organizational structure using services that align Business with Technology. The framework is validated and has reserved the privileges of SOA and EA.

Neural Network-Based Performance Index Model for Enterprise Goals Simulation and Forecasting

Enterprise Information System management has become an increasingly vital factor for many firms. Several organizations have encountered problems when attempting to evaluate organizational performance. Measurement of performance metrics is a key challenge for a huge number of firms. In order to preserve relevance and adaptability in competitive markets, it has become essential to respond proactively to complex events through informed decision-making that is supported by technology. Therefore, the objective of this study was to apply neural networks to the modeling, simulation, and forecasting of the effects of the performance indicators of Enterprise Information Systems on the achievement of corporate objectives and value creation. A set of quantifiable and sizeable conditionally independent associations were derived using a simplified joint probability distribution technique. Bayesian Neural Networks were utilized to describe the link between random variables (features) and to concisely and easily specify the joint probability distribution. The research demonstrated that Bayesian networks could effectively explore complex logical linkages by employing probability to represent uncertainty and probabilistic rules;and by applying impact models from Bayesian taxonomies to achieve learning and reasoning processes.

Modelling User Needs:Students as Enterprise Analysts

We illustrate a case study,where students designed enterprise architectures,that were not only welcome but successfully implemented.The success key was threefold.First the analysis framework,that integrates all the aspects of the systems that are relevant to users,namely user interface,rules,and information.Second,the analysis approach,that guides,trough confirmatory sessions,to elicit real requirements from users.Third,the model-to-model transformation,that assures consistency from the highest aggregate abstraction down to an executable model.

Modeling the dynamic alignment of business and information systems via the lens of human-centered architecture evolution

The complexity of business and information systems(IS)alignment is a growing concern for researchers and practitioners alike.The extant research on alignment architecture fails to consider the human viewpoint,which makes it difficult to embrace emergent complexity.This paper contributes to the extant literature in the following ways.First,we combine an enterprise architecture(EA)framework with a human viewpoint to address alignment issues in the architecture design phase;second,we describe a dynamic alignment model by developing a humancentered meta-model that explains first-and second-order changes and their effects on alignment evolution.This paper provides better support for the theoretical research and the practical application of dynamic alignment.

Analysis on Architecture Market Competition in China

Architecture plays an important role in basic industry of China national economy, and architecture market is one of the biggest markets in China. Architecture enterprise competition is very intense now, the market economy theory is applied to analyze Chinese architecture market in this article, and the inevitability and main characteristics of enterprise competition is described. This article indicates that architecture enterprise should face the problem rightly and reasoningly. As the market is filled with the threat of failure, at the same time, it is also filled with successful opportunity. To survive and develop in the market, enterprise should adapt to the market environment continuously and participate the market competition actively.

An approach to measuring business-IT alignment maturity via DoDAF2.0

Measuring the business-IT alignment(BITA)of an organization determines its alignment level,provides directions for further improvements,and consequently promotes the organizational performances.Due to the capabilities of enterprise architecture(EA)in interrelating different business/IT viewpoints and elements,the development of EA is superior to support BITA measurement.Extant BITA measurement literature is sparse when it concerns EA.The literature tends to explain how EA viewpoints or models correlate with BITA,without discussing where to collect and integrate EA data.To address this gap,this paper attempts to propose a specific BITA measurement process through associating a BITA maturity model with a famous EA framework:DoD Architectural Framework 2.0(DoDAF2.0).The BITA metrics in the maturity model are connected to the meta-models and models of DoDAF2.0.An illustrative ArchiSurance case is conducted to explain the measurement process.Systematically,this paper explores the process of BITA measurement from the viewpoint of EA,which helps to collect the measurement data in an organized way and analyzes the BITA level in the phase of architecture development.

EAFoC： Enterprise Architecture Framework Based on Commonality

The recent rapid development in information systems （ISs） has resulted in a critical need for integration and interoperability between heterogeneous ISs in various domains, using specific commonalities. However, stovepipe systems have been caused due to inconsistencies in planning IS architecture among stakeholders. So far, there has been no research on an enterprise architecture framework （EAF） that can satisfy with the coefficient factors of system architecture （SA） and enterprise architecture （EA）. This paper proposes a new EAF that can resolve the problems inherent in existing legacy EAFs and their features. EAFoC （Enterprise Architecture Framework based on Commonality） is based on commonality that can be satisfied as the coefficient factors in both SA and EA within a common information technology （IT） domain. Thus, it should be possible to integrate an established heterogeneous framework for each stakeholder＇s view. Consequently, the most important contribution of this paper is to establish the appropriate EAFoC for the development of consistent IS architecture, smooth communication among stakeholders, systematic integration management of diversified and complicated new IT technologies, interoperability among heterogeneous ISs, and reusability based on commonality with other platforms.

Semantics-oriented approach for information interoperability and governance:towards user-centric enterprise architecture management

Enterprise architecture (EA) efforts focus on business, technology, data, and application architecture, and their integration. However, less attention has been given to one of the most critical EA elements, i.e., users (EA audiences). As a result, existing EA management systems (EAMS) have become old, large, content-centric document-repositories that are unable to provide meaningful information of use to the enterprise users and aligned with their needs and functional scope. We argue that a semantic technology based mechanism focusing on enterprise information and user-centricity has the potential to solve this problem. In this context, we present a novel ontology-based strategy named the user-centric semantics-oriented EA (U-SEA) model. Based on this model, we have developed a user-centric semantics-oriented enterprise architecture management (U-SEAM) system. Our approach is generic enough to be used in a wide variety of user-centric EAM applications. The results obtained show computational feasibility to integrate and govern enterprise information and to reduce complexity with respect to interoperability between enterprise information and users.

The RQ-Tech methodology:a new paradigm for conceptualizing strategic enterprise architectures

The purpose of this paper is to report on a new system-theoretic based methodology and corresponding model for Enterprise Architecture development.This model captures the essence of the strategic,conceptual,doctrinal layer of the organization.Reusable Quality Technical Architectures(RQ-Tech)graphically reveals a comprehensive array of enterprise decision alternatives in easily understandable views;all while maintaining the hyperlinks to its provenance in strategic authoritative documentation.The RQ-Tech method has combined the practice of Enterprise Architectures with a modern perspective grounded in Systems Theory and the theory regarding the computer science-oriented Semantic Web.This recombination results in a distinctive methodology for developing models.This new methodology supports the conclusion that system-specific solutions produce islands of technology and can be prevented by employing better enterprise change planning.A review of the literature in three major areas illustrates the overlap common to all three domains.This review provides support for critical thinking concerning how to enrich the Enterprise Architecture practice.The research centered on finding the most significant factors to consider when translating the authoritative text and rich pictures that enterprise managers use to describe the strategic mission and vision of their complex,service-oriented enterprise into user-oriented semantic models.It provides the basis for RQ-Tech as a methodology that enables increased understanding of complex systems through use of Semantic Web standards.

The TOGAF Based Govemance Framework Proposition for Technology Management Systems

A computer-based technology management system is needed to manage technology assessment, technology acquisition, and technology planning capabilities to shape and accomplish the strategic and operational objectives of an organization. During the design of technology management intelligence, it has appeared that there has been a need to establish an integrated and systematic approach. The Open Group Architecture Framework （TOGAF） provides this systematic approach to the planning, development, implementation, and governance of the enterprise architecture. This exploratory paper examines the TOGAF approach to develop a technology management architecture in a product development organization. The paper discusses the development and proactive governance of the technology management architecture from various perspectives such as architecture capability, architecture development, transition planning, and architecture implementation. The paper presents a TOGAF based governance framework for the technology management system in an organization that develops s0ft＇ware-intensive systems. The framework supports an iterative approach in the architecture capability, architecture development, transition planning, and architecture implementation phases. The implementation governance phase can deal with multiple projects simultaneously. Therefore, the framework suggests applying agile system development principles to the projects that develop and deploy the architecture-compliant technology management solutions. The proposed framework helps organizations to design and implement a technology management architecture that meets the needs of the business. The framework also aims to simplify development and maintenance processes of a technology management system.

Study and application on product design system orienting to optimal utilization of material resources

Product design plays a decisive role in material resource consumption in manufacturing systems. So it is significant to study optimal utilization of material resources of manufacturing system from the perspective of product design. This paper firstly defines concept of product design, then after an analysis of design objectives the author proposes a target system of product design with three subsystems: structural system, functional system, and technical system. Finally, a product design system on Architectural Metal Structure Enterprises is developed and used in light of the great consumption of material resources in Metal Structure Enterprises. The system has got an obvious effect on improving comprehensive optimal using rate of material resources of enterprises, reducing design cycle, improving management of enterprises.

Scalable Load-Adaptive Web-Based Network Management System： An Architectural Prototype

With the advances in enterprise communication and web technologies, web has evolved into a platform for delivering interactive applications. Web-based applications are revolutionizing both the features that can be delivered and the technologies for developing and deploying applications. In this paper, we present a web-based load-adaptive network management system framework. Our system is scalable, extendable, modular and based on open architecture. It is also load-adaptive as it can adapt to the increase in the number of incoming Web Service requests so that the systems performance will not degrade under heavy request loads. To evaluate the proposed architecture, we built a multi-tiered web application testbed with open-source components widely used in industry. Experimental studies conducted on the testbed demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach. By developing the platform and making it available to the research community, we hope to catalyze the development of an open source stack for Web-based network management and monitoring.

Enterprise application transformation strategy and roadmap design:A business value driven and IT supportability-based approach

This paper proposes a practical and framework-based approach to design an architecture transformation strategy and roadmap aiming to transform or modernize critical legacy enterprise systems.The approach is business value driven with IT supportability in terms of lower application operational and support costs,higher business value and shorter time to market of application delivery.The approach introduces a robust enterprise application architecture assessment framework with an emphasis on technical(internal)and strategic(external)perspectives to guide the application assessment and also a finance selfsupport transformation strategy to aid its transformation roadmap design.The approach was applied in multiple large enterprises successfully and received endorsements and positive feedback from the sponsors.The paper also presents a case study detailing the successful application of the approach to modernize an enterprise logistics transportation management system.