The power of language

Describing enterprise models requires the use of modelling notations and languages. Reusing models, tools and skills already in use in the enterprise has the benefit that no extensive retraining into a new modelling notation may be necessary (see previous posting on reuse). It also has the constraint that previous artifacts may be in different notations if the modelling notation was not previously standardized.

In considering a modelling language, or notation, Jonkers, Lankhorst, Van Buuren, Hoppenbrouwers, Bonsangue and Van der Torre (2004) emphasizes that a coherent description of enterprise architecture allows for agreement, insight and communication among stakeholders. They propose that an integrated language may facilitate the establishment of enterprise architecture.

According to Jonkers et al (2004), different languages are used for enterprise modelling. These include:

• ebXML for XML-based electronic business
• Business process modelling notation (BPMN)
• IDEF, used for function modelling, information and data modelling and process descriptions
• ARIS, focusing on business and organizational modelling
• Testbed, focusing on business modelling
• Unified Modelling Language (UML) ( http://www.uml.org/), which traditionally was used for IT modelling, but which is expanding into business modelling
• Archimate (http://www.archimate.org/), a modelling language focusing on the modelling of enterprise architecture to be used as a companion to TOGAF

The argument is that different domains in the enterprise architecture are typically described through different notations (Jonkers et al, 2004). They propose the development of an integrated language to describe all domains should include descriptions of the level of complexity/abstraction at which should be modelled, the domain specific concepts, the enterprise architecture domains to be included and a description of the relationships, or traceability between domains. A single language will facilitate understanding across the enterprise architecture description.

References:

Archimate, Available from http://www.archimate.org/, (accessed 21 September 2009)

Jonkers H., Lankhorst M., Van Buuren R., Hoppenbrouwers S., Bonsangue M., Van der Torre L. (2004), Concepts for Modelling Enterprise Architectures, International Journal of Cooperative Information Systems, 13(3):257-287

UML, Available from http://www.uml.org/, (accessed 21 September 2009)