Towards self-development of evolutionary information systems: An action research of business architecture development by students in socially networked groups

Abstract

We present a case study of business architecture development by students working in socially networked groups. In this case study we emulated a self-development of an evolutionary information system. The "client system" in this emulated project was medical laboratory information system. In the role of the "change agent" were students of two different specialties: medical technology students (one group) and IT students (another group). We describe the process and results of the first (finished) phase of strategic analysis where the initial business architecture was developed. Later on this business architecture will be utilized as a platform for (social, self-) development of business processes and software. Medical technology students (knowing the problem) played the business process owner/analyst dual role. IT students (knowing IT-related solution patterns for the problem and processes) played the business designer role. The relationships between (and inside) the two groups/communities were managed using Google Sites (social) software. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.