Enterprise architecture analysis framework database

• US 7,970,729 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Cozzi, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Yigdall; Michael J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wang; Ben C
• Application Number:
  US10/991,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,413 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/601
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/288 Entity relationship models

Abstract

A method of modeling an enterprise includes storing core objects, where the core objects include an information object defining information used in the enterprise, a participant object defining a participant in the enterprise, an enabler object defining a tool used in the enterprise, and an activity object defining a process performed in the enterprise, and storing relationship objects that define interactions between two or more of the core objects.

Claims

1. A method of modeling an enterprise, comprising:

performing the following actions on a processing device;

defining core objects, the core objects comprising information objects defining information used in the enterprise, participant objects defining participants in the enterprise, enabler objects defining tools used in the enterprise, and activity objects defining processes performed in the enterprise;

defining relationship objects that define interactions between two or more of the core objects;

defining cells comprising at least an information object, other core objects, and relationship objects, each cell being an object for linking sets of core and relationship objects needed to complete a specific objective and/or derive information;

defining a process scenario object in which two or more cells are linked, the process scenario object defining how information is transformed over time among cells;

defining a domain that relates the process scenario object to one or more other domains hierarchically via one or more other process scenario objects; and

generating a report that is based on the modeling of the enterprise;

wherein the process scenario object comprises references to value objects that have an affect on a corresponding process scenario, the value objects defining;

environmental conditions that drive the process scenario, external influences on the process scenario, and objectives of the enterprise;

wherein the process scenario object comprises a reference to a decision point object, the decision point object specifying a point, in the process scenario, where a change can be made without adversely affecting the one or more other domains, the decision point object specifying a value analysis to be performed at the point specified in the decision point object, the value analysis for determining whether to alter the process scenario or to engage a subsequent process scenario, information corresponding to the value analysis being associated with the process scenario object;

wherein the process scenario object defines a chain of cells, each cell in the chain of cells being linked to at least one of an immediately preceding cell or an immediately succeeding cell via an information object that is common to the cell and the immediately preceding cell or the immediately succeeding cell; and

wherein the value analysis comprises a cost/benefit analysis relating to whether to alter the process scenario or to engage a subsequent process scenario, the cost/benefit analysis for weighing a benefit of the process scenario against a benefit related to an alteration of the process scenario or engagement of a subsequent process scenario.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each domain comprises a decision-making layer within the enterprise.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an information object is common to the process scenario object and a second process scenario object.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing the following action on a processing device;

storing, in a value element object linked to the process scenario object, a value of information transformed via the process scenario, the value of the information corresponding to a result of the cost/benefit analysis.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationship objects define one of common object relationships and cross-object relationships.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the value objects further comprise at least one object to define a benefit of the enterprise, and at least one object to define a performance metric associated with the enterprise.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the performance metric comprises at least one of an industry metric and a government metric.

8. One or more machine-readable media for storing instructions for modeling an enterprise, the instructions being executable to:

define core objects, the core objects comprising information objects defining information used in the enterprise, participant objects defining participants in the enterprise, enabler objects defining tools used in the enterprise, and activity objects defining processes performed in the enterprise;

define relationship objects that define interactions between two or more of the core objects;

define cells comprising at least an information object, other core objects, and relationship objects, each cell being an object for linking sets of core and relationship objects needed to complete a specific objective and/or derive information;

define a process scenario object in which two or more cells are linked, the process scenario object defining how information is transformed over time among cells;

define a domain that relates the process scenario object to one or more other domains hierarchically via one or more other process scenario objects; and

generate a report that is based on the modeling of the enterprise;

wherein the process scenario object comprises references to value objects that have an affect on a corresponding process scenario, the value objects defining;

environmental conditions that drive the process scenario, external influences on the process scenario, and objectives of the enterprise;

wherein the process scenario object comprises a reference to a decision point object, the decision point object specifying a point, in the process scenario, where a change can be made without adversely affecting the one or more other domains, the decision point object specifying a value analysis to be performed at the point specified in the decision point object, the value analysis for determining whether to alter the process scenario or to engage a subsequent process scenario, information corresponding to the value analysis being associated with the process scenario object;

wherein the process scenario object defines a chain of cells, each cell in the chain of cells being linked to at least one of an immediately preceding cell or an immediately succeeding cell via an information object that is common to the cell and the immediately preceding cell or the immediately succeeding cell; and

wherein the value analysis comprises a cost/benefit analysis relating to whether to alter the process scenario or to engage a subsequent process scenario, the cost/benefit analysis for weighing a benefit of the process scenario against a benefit related to an alteration of the process scenario or engagement of a subsequent process scenario.

9. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 8, wherein each domain comprises a decision-making layer within the enterprise.

10. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 8, wherein an information object is common to the process scenario object and a second process scenario object.

11. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 8, further comprising instructions to:

store, in a value element object linked to the process scenario object, a value of information transformed via the process scenario, the value of the information corresponding to a result of the cost/benefit analysis.

12. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 8, wherein the relationship objects define one of common object relationships and cross-object relationships.

13. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 8, wherein the value objects further comprise at least one object to define a benefit of the enterprise, and at least one object to define a performance metric associated with the enterprise.

14. The one or more machine-readable media of claim 13, wherein the performance metric comprises at least one of an industry metric and a government metric.