The quest for know-how, know-why, know-what and know-who: Using KAOS for enterprise modelling

Abstract

While the field of information systems engineering is largely focussed on developing methods for complex problems and larger enterprises, less is done to specifically address the needs of smaller organizations like small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), although they are important drivers of economy. These needs include a better understanding of the processes (know-how), why things are done (know-why), what concepts are used (know-what) and who is responsible (know-who). In this paper, the KAOS approach is evaluated as not only useful for developing software projects, but with the potential to be used for developing a business architecture or enterprise model. An example of KAOS is given, by way of illustration, and KAOS was applied by an SME's CEO, which resulted in a set of questions for further research. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.