Enterprise System and Modelling Concept

ENTERPRISE

Definition

Comprises interdependent resources of people, information, and technology

Interact with each resources and their environment

A complex and socio-technical system

Support for a common mission

Example

Virtual enterprises

Supply chains

Not-for-profit

Government

Companies

Program

Division

Program

Unit

SYSTEM

Definition

Interacting parts/subsystems

Form an integrated whole from parts/subsystems interaction

A set of descernible

Support single goal/purpose

Able to distinguish between each part/subsystem

Features

Man-mad systems

Use resources of people/materials/machines/information/knowledge

Produce a product, provide a service, or do both

Have customers

Have a goal

Interact with their environment

integrated collection of people and technology

derive the value of product/service

profitability and growth

obtaining raw materials, labor, and other resources from their environment

competing or collaborating with other enterprises

being subject to changes in the political/social/economic/technical aspects of their environment

MODEL

Definition

An abstract representation of a real-world system

Emphasizes some aspects of the system while excluding other aspects

Why do we need it?

Eliminating the detail that does not influence its relevant behavior

Reduce the complexity of understanding or interacting with a system

What is concluded or excluded depends on the purpose of model

help us to master the complexity of the system being modeled

MODELLING CONCEPT

Abstraction

Viewpoint

Purpose

Example

DFD

Flowchart

shows how data is exchanged through the system

does not show sequence of activities

shows the sequence of activities

does not show how data flows through system

Should be specific

Should be documented

Determines aspect of the system's features and behavior

Example

IDEF0

the top level is very abstract

more detailed are added in subsequent level

Should be suitable for the model's purpose

More details are not always better

Work at an abstraction level sufficient for the model's purpose, neither more or less

Multiple perspectives are necessary to fully understand the enterprise system

Should be orthogonal (should show a different perspective)

Should be consistent

Example

Building construction views

Architectural drawings

Mechanical drawings

Electrical drawings