How Inconsistencies Between Multiple Conceptual Modeling Scripts Affect Readers’ Understanding

IS professionals often use multiple conceptual modeling scripts to develop an understanding of a domain. However, using multiple scripts introduces potential inconsistencies between scrips which can reduce script readers’ cognitive ability to develop an understanding. While there are computational methods to avoid or detect inconsistencies, there is a lack of studies on how individuals deal with inconsistencies when they are performing different tasks. We developed a 2x2 between-subject experimental design to investigate the effects of syntactic vs semantic inconsistency on two different systems analysis and design tasks. We expect to contribute to conceptual modeling research, by investigating the effect of inconsistencies, comparing the effects of two tasks, and by elaborating on the role of a pragmatic factor, domain familiarity

Using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to represent artefacts in the Zachman Frameword

An interpretive research approach will be used to describe and decompose UML diagrams into their respective building blocks. A top down approach will be used to determine views that are important to enterprises during the system development lifecycle. The importance of providing graphical representations to describe conceptual ideas will be stressed. A short history will be provided of the origins of UML as well as a description of the diagrams used. Since UML is a language and not a methodology a brief discussion regarding a methodology, the Rational Unified Process, will be covered. The Zachman framework will be used to present a two-dimensional (Columns and Rows) view of an enterprise together with a summary of what could be represented in the framework. The UML building blocks will be mapped within the Zachman framework together with possible reasons for the mapping. The paper will conclude by combining several views by different authors to represent artefacts within the Zachman framework and to show the strengths and weaknesses of the current UML version 1.5 and what organisations should be aware of when considering implementing UML.Dissertation (M.IT)--University of Pretoria, 2007.Informaticsunrestricte

Reusability in manufacturing, supported by value net and patterns approaches

The concept of manufacturing and the need or desire to create artefacts or products is very, very old, yet it is still an essential component of all modem economies. Indeed, manufacturing is one of the few ways that wealth is created. The creation or identification of good quality, sustainable product designs is fundamental to the success of any manufacturing enterprise. Increasingly, there is also a requirement for the manufacturing system which will be used to manufacture the product, to be designed (or redesigned) in parallel with the product design. Many different types of manufacturing knowledge and information will contribute to these designs. A key question therefore for manufacturing companies to address is how to make the very best use of their existing, valuable, knowledge resources. […] The research reported in this thesis examines ways of reusing existing manufacturing knowledge of many types, particularly in the area of manufacturing systems design. The successes and failures of reported reuse programmes are examined, and lessons learnt from their experiences. This research is therefore focused on identifying solutions that address both technical and non-technical requirements simultaneously, to determine ways to facilitate and increase the reuse of manufacturing knowledge in manufacturing system design. [Continues.

Enterprise Modeling to Support ICT-Enabled Process Change. Context for and consequences of enterprise modeling in initiatives that combine process change and information and communication technology

This thesis presents findings from a multiple case study of enterprise modeling use in initiatives that combine process change and information and communication technology. The study covers initiatives where models are made and used by people as part of a process change process, and an initiative where models are made as input to a business support environment enabling process change in the long run. The research project was motivated by lack of empirical research on enterprise modeling practice and a wish to examine the relevance of the conceptualizations of the Process Modeling Practice model by Eikebrokk, Iden, Olsen and Opdahl (2006) into the wider enterprise modeling setting. The overall research question was formulated as: “How is enterprise modeling used and how can it be used to support information and communication enabled process change in Norwegian companies? Context for and consequences of enterprise modeling”. To help focus the research project, the enterprise modeling practice model was developed. The model was built-up by categories from the Process Modeling Practice model (Eikebrokk et al, 2006) and findings from a pilot and a literature study. To make clear the study objective, an explicit research goal was set: “to validate and elaborate the Enterprise Modeling Practice research model”. Cases were compared by looking for patterns of relationships among constructs within and across cases. The main multiple case research outcomes were: (1) The identification of five different types of modeling initiatives by analyzing how each case combined use of information technology, process change main focus and the main objectives of modeling (Karlsen and Opdahl, 2012a), (2) The identification of a broad variety of enterprise modeling benefits (Karlsen and Opdahl, 2012a), (3) The identification of barriers to modeling, and findings indicating that the distribution of modeling maturity between project stakeholders affects how the modeling activities are carried out (Karlsen, 2011), (4)A broadly validated and elaborated Enterprise Modeling Practice model (Karlsen, 2008; Karlsen and Opdahl, 2012b). One of the cases was additionally investigated as a single-case study from a longitudinal perspective. This led to the additional research outcomes: (5)A variety of modeling experiences and recommendations contributing to increased understanding of modeling practice. (6) Description of how change happened, at an overarching level, in three stages: (1) Change maturation, (2) Change decision and (3) Process change, where the last stage constituted four steps of modeling supported process change: (1) Increased business understanding by providing a generic model, (2) Identification of TO-BE by process modeling, (3) Process categorization by sorting models into risk zones and (4) Implementation of prioritized change consistent with model artifacts. (7) Identification of Readiness as a precondition both for change and for modeling.Avhandlingen presenterer funn fra en multippel case-studie av virksomhetsmodelleringspraksis. Fokus er initiativer som kombinerer prosessendring med informasjons- og kommunikasjonsteknologi. Både initiativ hvor modellene er laget og brukt av folk som del av en prosessendringsprosess og et initiativ hvor modellene er laget som input til et forretningsstøttesystem for prosessendring i det lange løp, inngår i studien. Motivasjonen for forskningsprosjektet var manglende forskning på modelleringspraksis. I tillegg var studien motivert ut i fra et ønske om å få undersøkt og utviklet konseptualiseringene fra the Process Modeling Practice model, utviklet av Eikebrokk, Iden, Olsen og Opdahl (2006), i en annen setting. Det overordnede forskningsspørsmålet ble formulert som: "Hvordan brukes virksomhetsmodellering og hvordan kan virksomhetsmodellering brukes som støtte i initiativer som kombinerer prosessendring med informasjons- og kommunikasjonsteknologi i norske bedrifter? Kontekst og konsekvenser av virksomhetsmodellering". For å fokusere forskningsprosjektet ble en forskningsmodell utviklet. Modellen bygde på kategoriene fra prosessmodelleringspraksismodellen, the Process Modeling Practice model (Eikebrokk et al, 2006) og funn fra en pilot og en litteraturstudie. For å klargjøre målet med prosjektet, ble et eksplisitt forskningsmål formulert: "å validere og utvikle den initielle forskningsmodellen". Casene ble sammenliknet ved å se etter mønster i sammenhenger mellom konstrukt innen og imellom case. Forskningens hovedresultat knyttet til den multiple case studien er: (1) Identifiseringen av fem forskjellige typer modelleringsinitiativ gjennom å ha analysert hvordan hvert case kombinerte informasjons- og kommunikasjonsteknologi, hovedfokus for prosessending og hovedhensikt med modelleringen (Karlsen and Opdahl, 2012a), (2) Identifiseringen av en rekke fordeler knyttet til det å virksomhetsmodellere (Karlsen and Opdahl, 2012a) (3) Identifiseringen av modelleringsbarrierer sammen med funn som indikerer at distribusjonen av modelleringsmodenhet mellom prosjektdeltakere påvirker hvordan modelleringsaktivitetene utføres (Karlsen, 2011) (4) En validert og utviklet model av virksomhetsmodelleringspraksis, the Enterprise Modeling Practice model (Karlsen, 2008; Karlsen and Opdahl, 2012b). I tillegg ble ett av casene studert for seg, ut i fra et longitudinelt perspektiv. Dette førte til følgende tilleggsresultat: (5) En rekke modelleringserfaringer og modelleringsanbefalinger for økt forståelse av modelleringspraksis. (6) Beskrivelse av endring som tre stadier: (1) Endringsmodning, (2) Endringsbeslutning og (3) Prosess endring, hvor det siste stadiet bestod av fire trinn som var støttet av modelleringsarbeid: (1) Økt forretningsforståelse gjennom bruk av en generisk modell, (2) Identifisering av TO-BE gjennom prosessmodellering, (3) Prosesskategorisering ved å sortere modeller inn i risikosoner og (4) Implementering av prioriterte endringer konsistent med modellutformingene. (7) Identifisering av Readiness som en forutsetning både for endring og for modelleringsarbeid