1 Modification of the GEA theory through comparison of meta models

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Lester Hancock
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1 1 Modification of the GE theory through comparison of meta models In this chapter we discuss how we gave substance to the part modify theory, of Yin s multiple case study research approach [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.], by explaining the differences between the meta models GE made immediately after the development of the GE theory and the adjusted meta models GE produced after the case studies were executed. 1.1 GE Meta models after development of the GE-theory Successively, we will discuss the meta models: GE processes GE products GE cohesive elements ll the cohesive elements of GE are represented with these meta-models, as are all the GE activities and results in terms of processes and products. Meta model GE processes The GE processes at the meta level of the enterprise architecture processes are indicated in this meta model, as are their inters and s with the control processes of the enterprise, see Figure 1. The GE governance processes govern the GE execution processes. In their turn the GE execution processes develop the GE specialized products and the GE steering products, possibly based on specialized products. These GE steering products are used in the governance processes of an enterprise and used to control the business. ll these processes are detailed in section Several targetgroups: projects, staff, et cetera carry out: Business processes GE governance processes ance processes Use Develop GE execution processes Compose GE Steering products Reuse GE specialized products Figure 1: Meta model GE processes Meta model GE products In the meta model GE products the meta level enterprise architecture products are indicated and their inters and s with the control processes of the enterprise, see Figure 2. The GE governance products govern both the development of the GE specialized products and the GE

2 steering products. External reference products can influence the GE specialized products and the GE steering products. The GE steering products govern the development of business products. ll these products are detailed in section Business products Several target groups: projects, staff, et cetera use/need: development of development of GE steering products Influence External reference products GE governance products Based on development of GE specialized products Internal architecture Figure 2. Meta model GE products Meta model GE cohesive elements The meta model GE cohesive elements describes the definitions of the cohesive elements GE, including a specification of the definition s, depicted in the form of an object model. The meta model GE cohesive elements include an important foundation to develop a tool for capturing and analysis of the ECF. The GE cohesive elements are defined in the object model, using object types. The identified and defined object types are then placed in a structure that is based on determining the mutual subsistence dependencies. This results in a model in which, in a structured manner, the GE cohesive elements are related to each other. Note: an object model represents definition s, more specifically in an object model there is only a relation if in the definition of an object type another object type is mentioned. There may also be information logical s between two object types, without reflection in the definition, and in the object model. There are three types of definition of s: aggregation, classification and specialization [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.], see Figure 3 for the meaning of the symbols used in the meta models of Figure 4 and Figure 5. Object type: type to which an object can belong C C ggregation: C is an aggregation of and B. With an aggregation a new type occurs by defining a link between one or more objects of one or more types B B B B Specialization / B is a specialization of. B is an which meets generalization: additional requirements Figure 3. Definition of s The definition s applied to the GE cohesive elements provides the following GE object model with five aggregations and two specializations, see Figure 4.

3 Core model Business issue Relationship Perspective Figure 4. GE object model after development of the GE-theory, before the case executions For an explanation of the GE object types and their inters see Table 1 and Table 2. Note: a term in black capitals indicates the object type. Definitions GE object types after development of the GE-theory Object type Definition Explanation Business issue Core model Perspective BUSINESS ISSUE is an organizational issue that is considered and controlled from the coherence of several PERSPECTIVES. CORE CONCEPT is a concept that plays a key role in governing the enterprise from a perspective. CORE MODEL is a high level view of a perspective, based on and in line with the guiding statements of the corresponding perspective. PERSPECTIVE is an angle from which one wishes to govern/steer/influence enterprise transformations. n event in the outside world of the enterprise becomes a business issue as it has been observed that enterprise coherence governance, i.e. several relevant perspectives are identified, is necessary. key concept is by definition context dependent i.e. uniquely linked to a perspective, and has no right to exist without a perspective. In the graphical model a single arrow is drawn to indicate the minimum requirement: a core model represents one perspective and one principle.

4 Definitions GE object types after development of the GE-theory Object type Definition Explanation PRINCIPLES are general rules and guidelines, intended to be enduring and seldom amended, that inform and support the way in which an enterprise sets about fulfilling its mission. In their turn, principles may be just one element in a structured set of ideas that collectively define and guide the enterprise, from values through to actions and results. Relationship RELTIONSHIP is a description of the between two PRINCIPLES RELEVNT RELTIONSHIP is a description of the connection between GUIDING STTEMENTS from different PERSPECTIVES. This is the definition of the Open Group. GUIDING STTEMENT is an internally agreed and published statement which directs desirable behaviour. Table 1. Definitions GE object types after development of the GE-theory Definition s GE object types after development of the GE theory Object type Definition Business issue Core model business issue is an aggregation of a perspective. core concept is an aggregation of a perspective. core model is an aggregation of a perspective and a principle. Perspective - Relationship principle is a specialization of a guiding statement. is an aggregation of a principle. relevant is a specialization of a and an aggregation of a perspective and a principle. guiding statement is a generalization of a principle. Table 2. Definition s GE object types after development of the GE theory 1.2 GE Meta models after execution of the cases The definitions of the GE object types and the definitions of the s between the GE object types apply to all levels on which GE is used. In particular when GE is applied recursively, the same definitions apply at each level. It may happen that for example a business issue at one level

5 does not meet the definition at that level, but rather at a lower level. The execution of the case studies resulted in the GE object model as depicted in Figure 5. Level of purpose Strategy Core value Goal Vision Mission Level of design Core model Businessissue Perspective Objective Policy statement Figure 5. GE object model after execution of the case studies For an explanation of the GE object types and their inters after execution of the case studies see Table 3, Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6. Note: a term in black capitals indicates the object type. Definitions GE object types at the level of purpose after execution case studies Object type Definition Explanation Strategy STRTEGY of an enterprise forms a comprehensive master plan stating

6 how the enterprise will achieve its GOLS. Goal GOL is a formulation of a desired stage of development of the enterprise towards achieving the VISION. Vision VISION is a concise statement that operationalizes the MISSION in terms of the mid to long-term GOLS of the enterprise. The vision should be external and market oriented and should express, preferably in aspirational terms, how the enterprise wants to be perceived by the world [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.]. Mission MISSION is a brief, typically one sentence, statement that defines the fundamental purpose of the enterprise [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.] that is enduringly pursued but never fulfilled [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.]. It should include what the enterprise provides to its clients and inform executives and employees about the overall goal they have come together to pursue [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.]. The mission is an emergent property arising from the interaction between all vision statements. The mission naturally rises to the surface if one internalizes all vision statements. Core value CORE VLUE of an enterprise prescribes its desired behaviour, character and culture [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.] and is conditional to be or become successful within the formulated VISION. In the first place core values determine the behaviour of individuals and become somehow tangible in the culture. Table 3. Definitions GE object types at level of purpose after execution case studies Definitions GE object types at the level of design after execution case studies Objecttype Definition Explanation Business issue BUSINESS ISSUE is a problem, bottleneck, challenge or alleged solution, that is n event in the outside world of the enterprise becomes a considered and controlled from the business issue as it has been coherence of several PERSPECTIVES. observed that enterprise coherence governance, i.e. several relevant perspectives Policy statement POLICY STTEMENT is a GUIDING STTEMENT that expresses an intention of the enterprise. Objective n OBJECTIVE is a GUIDING STTEMENT that expresses a desired state of the enterprise in concrete results to be achieved. CORE CONCEPT is an angle from which one wishes to contemplate and to govern a PERSPECTIVE. Core model CORE MODEL is a level view of a perspective, based on and in line with the guiding statements of the corresponding perspective. are identified, is necessary. For example: We pursuit greater customer orientation. Objectives are SMRT defined, i.e. Specific, Measurable, cceptable, Realistic, Time bound. key concept is by definition context dependent, uniquely linked to a perspective, and has no right to exist without a perspective. The capability of recursive application of GE is in particular possible due to the definition of perspective and core concept. In the graphical model a single arrow is drawn to indicate the requirement: a core model represents one perspective and

7 Perspective PERSPECTIVE is an angle from which one wishes to contemplate and to govern the enterprise. PRINCIPLE is a GUIDING STTEMENT with an enduring effect in giving shape to the VISION so that it can be realized. RELEVNT RELTIONSHIP is a description of the connection between GUIDING STTEMENTS from different PERSPECTIVES. GUIDING STTEMENT is an internally agreed and published statement which directs desirable behaviour. minimum one guiding statement. Statements that are not involved in decision making processes are no guiding statements. Table 4. Definitions GE object types at level of design after execution case studies Definition s GE object types at the level of purpose after execution the case studies Object type Definition Goal goal is an aggregation of a vision. Core value core value is an aggregation of a vision Mission - Strategy strategy is an aggregation of a goal Vision vision is an aggregation of a mission Table 5. Definition s GE object types at the level of purpose after execution case studies Definition s GE object types at the level of design after execution the case studies Object type Definition Business issue business issue is an aggregation of a perspective. Policy statement policy statement is a specialization of a guiding statement. Objective n objective is a specialization of a guiding statement. core concept is an aggregation of a perspective. Core model core model is an aggregation of a perspective and a principle. Perspective - principle is a specialization of a guiding statement and an aggregation of a vision. relevant is an aggregation of a perspective and a guiding statement. guiding statement is a generalization of a principle, an objective and a policy statement. Table 6. Definition s GE object types after execution case studies at the level of design 1.3 Explanation of the differences in the meta models The cases discussed above did not result in a need to make adjustments to the previously discussed meta models GE Processes and GE Products. The differences in the GE cohesive elements were found, especially, in the object models of the ECF. This concerned: the cohesive elements on the level of purpose, including their s the cohesive elements policy statement and objective on the design level, including their s

8 the cohesive elements and principle on the design level, including their s The reasons for including the cohesive elements at the level of purpose in the GE object model after execution of the cases were: the differentiated shaping value of these elements at the design level. We found patterns in the way: o core values did function as principles to shape behaviour at design level perspectives like culture, people, employees, etc. o principles at the design level originate from the vision statements. o objectives at the design level originate from the goals. the need to establish coherence between the cohesive elements on the level of purpose as a prerequisite for alignment on all subsequent lower levels of governance. We found that cohesive elements on the design level, ultimately, find their primitive in the cohesive elements at the level of purpose. This means that flaws in the coherence between elements at the level of purpose, will translate into a lack of coherence on the design level. In reverse, capturing the purpose of an enterprise by a solid, coherent set of strategic directives, provide the foundation for a solid and coherent organisational design. the need to define a uniform, agreed strategic reference point from which the cohesive elements at the design level can be derived and aligned. t the time of the execution of the case studies, we found that many officials did not have a common view of the object types at the level of purpose, and that, by making these elements explicit, the strategic dialog improved in quality. The need to justify and qualify the strategic direction of the enterprise on completeness. In some cases, the data concerning the object types at the level of purpose were partly available. These strategic statements were scattered over relatively many documents and were not always consistent, to diagnose the quality of the available strategic material, you need a uniform and agreed strategic reference point. These insights triggered the need to define the object types at the level of purpose and to include these in the GE object model. In all cases the guiding statements consisted of objectives and policy statements in addition to principles. The SMRT formulated guiding statements were classified as objectives. ll other guiding statements, not concerning principles, were classified as policy statements. These insights triggered the researcher to identify and define the object types objective and policy statement and record these in the GE object model. Due to this the definition of the object type guiding statement was changed to: a guiding statement is a generalization of principle, objective and policy statement. The cohesive element was needed just one time in one case, this should not to be confused with the cohesive element relevant. The cohesive element represents a connection between guiding statements of just one perspective. fter the research and development of the insights about recursively applying GE, the cohesive element could be expressed on the second level of the ECF as a relevant. Due to these insights we dropped the cohesive element from the set of cohesive elements at the level of design. Initially, concerning the object type principle we adopted the TOGF definition [Fout! Verwijzingsbron niet gevonden.]. s a result of the application of principles of object modelling in the definitions of the object types we adjusted the definition of the object type principle. This definition is shorter and the s with the other object types is made explicit.

Alignment of Business and IT - ArchiMate. Dr. Barbara Re

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