Evaluation Patterns for Analyzing the Costs of Enterprise Information Systems

Abstract

Abstract. Introducing enterprise information systems (EIS) is usually associated with high costs. It is therefore crucial to understand those factors that determine or influence these costs. Existing cost analysis methods are difficult to apply. Particularly, these methods are unable to cope with the dynamic interactions of the many technological, organizational and project-driven cost factors, which specifically arise in the context of EIS. Picking up this problem, in previous work we introduced the EcoPOST framework to investigate the complex cost structures of EIS engineering projects through qualitative cost evaluation models. This paper extends this framework and introduces a pattern-based approach enabling the reuse of EcoPOST evaluation models. Our patterns do not only simplify the design of EcoPOST evaluation models, but also improve the quality and comparability of cost evaluations. Therewith, we further strengthen our EcoPOST framework as an important tool supporting EIS engineers in gaining a better understanding of those factors that determine the costs of EIS engineering projects.

Understanding the Costs of Business Process Management Technology

“…This shall increase model reuse and facilitate practical use of the EcoPOST framework. Evaluation patterns (EPs) do not only ease the design and simulation of evaluation models, but also enable the reuse of evaluation information [42,35,38]. This is crucial to foster practical applicability of the EcoPOST framework.…”