Needs and Characteristics of Methodologies for Enterprise Integration

Abstract

Abstract:Methodologies are one of the main elements in EI Projects. In this paper we present an aggregated and comparative analysis of the methodological aspects of several of the main EI proposals from the state-of-the-art of existing EI Methodologies (CIMOSA, PERA, IE-GIP among others). A definition of the set of characteristics that must be provided by an EI methodology is presented as well. UNDERSTANDING ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION METHODOLOGIESA generic methodology can be defined as "the system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline". This definition outlines two main issues. First of all, a methodology is necessarily linked to a particular discipline where it is useful; outside of this discipline, it may not be applicable. Within this work, we focus on IE as the particular discipline of interest. Secondly, the two basic elements of a methodology are methods and principles. Furthermore, Vernadat, ( 1996) defines a methodology as a "group of methods, models and tools". This definition is made from an EI perspective and identifies more specifically the three different elements that must be provided by an EI methodology: (1) methods, (2) models and (3) tools.The authors define an EI methodology as a group of methods targeted to support a business architect in the development of EI projects, supported both by models (the so-called architectures) and tools. Methodologies, architectures and tools are indeed the three main engineering ingredients of EI