CAPSICUM - a semantic framework for strategically aligned business architecture

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Copyright: Roach, Terry
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Abstract
A key component of conceptual frameworks for Enterprise Architecture is a model of Business Architecture. This thesis sets out to investigate the subject, in search of definitions for and components of such a model. Whilst the term is frequently used and the concept is well accepted, definitions for a comprehensive, structured meta-model for the components of a Business Architecture are surprisingly poorly articulated. Artefacts commonly referred to include process and data models, although the notations for these are notoriously complex and provide no explicit alignment with the business strategy that they support. Although commonly used by business analysts and solution architects, these artefacts are not particularly accessible to business stakeholders for direct manipulation. This lack of direct control over the behaviour and governance of information systems is a contributing factor towards the perceived lack of system flexibility that business stakeholders often complain of. Following an analysis of conceptual modelling approaches and notations a semantic modelling notation and an ontology based approach were selected for the design of a strategically aligned meta-model that addresses this gap. The Model Driven Architecture from Object Management Group influenced the framework design and their Business Motivation Model for business strategy, established the basis for anchoring strategic alignment to the meta-model of business operations. Following a Design Science methodology, the CAPSICUM Framework proposes a comprehensive, semantic meta-model for Business Architecture. Inserted into a framework for an executable Enterprise Architecture, the framework explicitly aligns business strategy with the technical and platform designs of an information system and has been instantiated in four real-world situations. The results of these instantiations were evaluated by the participating organisations and a further survey based evaluation of the detailed meta-model designs was conducted with a panel of selected academics and practitioners with relevant subject matter expertise. The framework represents a core strategic business asset as a dynamic, parametric model of business operations. It facilitates traceability from business strategy to business operations as well as the underlying technical designs and platform deployments of an IT system. It provides a management dashboard for managing change and establishes the foundation for an executable business architecture.
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Author(s)
Roach, Terry
Supervisor(s)
D'Ambra, John
Low, Graham
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Publication Year
2011
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
PhD Doctorate
UNSW Faculty
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