Enterprise Information System Engineering: A Model-Based Approach Based on the Zachman Framework

Enterprise information system engineering involves heterogeneous methodologies, tools and system models focusing on different system aspects, which should be integrated. Model-based system engineering may contribute towards this direction, by providing a central system model that captures system requirements and decisions that fulfill them at different levels of abstraction. The central system model serves all engineering activities and should be multi-layered, technology-neutral and modular. Zachman´s enterprise architecture framework may be used as a basis for constructing a central EIS model. Basic guidelines to incorporate model-based EIS engineering methodologies within Zachman framework are discussed in the paper. Furthermore, a model-based EIS design approach based on these guidelines is presented to explore related benefits and drawbacks.