This paper is actually an adapted M.Sc. proposal. Work on this degree has only just start so there are no results to be presented. However, during the CSAW presentation further details will be given about research problems and how they will be solved.peer-reviewe

3rd Computer Science Annual Workshop (CSAW’05)

Cachia, Ernest

Vella, Mark

Vella, Mark Joseph

OAR@UM

An Enterprise Integration Project Management FrameworkErnest Cachia and Mark VellaSoftware Engineering Process Improvement Research GroupDepartment of Computer Science and Artificial IntelligenceUniversity of MaltaMaltaAbstract. This paper is actually an adapted M.Sc. proposal. Work on this degree has onlyjust start so there are no results to be presented. However, during the CSAW presentationfurther details will be given about research problems and how they will be solved.1 IntroductionSoftware, is the brain behind todays computerized world. From the number crunching applicationsrunning on main frames in the 70s, to today’s web applications driving massive data repositories,critical to the competitive advantage of an enterprise, software applications have gone a long way.With many software systems still in use way beyond their expected lifetime, and automating nearlyevery aspect of an enterprise, these applications are victims of their own success, as the expectationfrom them could be more than they can handle. One modern approach taken to bridge this gap,is that of Enterprise Application Integration a fast growing software development approach, toaligning the existing independent vertical departmental software silos to the horizontal flows ofbusiness processes.2 Research QuestionGiven the current available software project management methodologies or techniques for tradi-tional software projects, and the feedback from the industry about the new nature and challengesproject managers are encountering in EI projects during the first years of EI existence; is it possibleto arrive to more rigorous EI project management framework, which could be proven to serve asthe basis of more successful EI project life cycles, through the adoption of scientific identificationof EI crite ria and their subsequent classification and measurement of qualification attributes? Ifso, this scientific approach, would directly affect the quality of any associated deliverables in theapplied business world.3 Review of the relevant background research and theory to dateIn his white paper for Wipro Technologies [3] makes a high -level overview of the EI challengesnormally found throughout the life cycle of an EI project. [5] is a collection of EI principles fromthe EI methodology comm ittee of the EI consortium, clearly showing the need of a more specificapproach to EI rather than the available traditional methods. [4] and [2] present two attempts ofpresenting a complete project life cycle, specific for EI. [1] and [6] go further to propose attemptsfor process improvement and a capability maturity models for EI life cycles.An Enterprise Integration Project Management Framework 114 Tentative Research ProcedureThe following is the research procedure as it is envisaged to proceed. Of course, this may be subjectto change as different types of problems are encountered. One must keep in mind that this researchprocedure is based on a part-time commitment to the degree.Step TimelineWhat are the available traditional software management techniques? An indepthresearch of traditional software project management.2 monthsWhat unifies applications, and EI systems building blocks in general? A study onthe nature of software, applications and more specifically business applications. Anidentification of the EI building blocks and their common attributes.3 monthsWhat is the purpose of EI? A research on the need of EI, the solutions delivered byEI, existent EI case studies analysis, and a forward look on to what EI is evolvingto.2 monthsWhat are the new challenges imposed by EI? A study of EI project industry reports,as well as the first existent attempts of addressing these challenges3 monthsWhy traditional Project methodologies fall short/are not enough for EI projects? -A research of traditional project methodologies, and their analysis in an EI projectcontext.2 monthsEI Management framework proposition Is it possible to bridge the gap betweentraditional software management methodologies and the new EI projects are posing?4 monthsProve identified EI framework research results A proof of the results given in theprevious step2 monthsHow easy it is to build an automated management software tool with the identifiedEI management framework research results? Designing and building a softwaretool for helping project managers in the management of EI projects. Evaluationand testing of results.6 monthsReferences1. Braunstein J., “Integration Audit Methodology: A Primer on Assessing Integration”, EAI Journal,20052. Cummins F.A., An Architecture for Enterprise Application and Systems Integration, Wiley, 20023. Khanna R., “Top Challenges in Integration Projects”,Wipro Technologies White Paper, 20054. Roch E., “A Software Development Methodology for EAI”, EAI Journal, 20045. Schmidt, J., “EAI Principles” The Software Ecologist Column, EAI Journal, 20026. Schmidt, J., “EAI Liftestlye Evaluation”, The Software Ecologist Column, EAI Journal, 2003

An enterprise integration project management framework

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An enterprise integration project management framework

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