CE-SIB: A modelling method plug-in for managing standards in enterprise architectures

Abstract

In Enterprise Architecture (EA) Management, adoption of standards brings essential benefits pertaining to compatibility and repeatability but also raises governance challenges. EA frameworks recommend placing architecture artifacts under strict governance to control technological diversity towards reduced costs of operation or business-IT alignment; however, they do not provide methodological guidance on how to support decision-making for standards management. Business process management, model-driven software engineering or IT service management do address such challenges, but fall short in covering all relevant architectural layers. Driven by industry experience, this paper proposes a modelling method plug-in (“function block”) to support a model-based integration of practices for standards compliance management and their relevant model bases. It also aims for generality, as the proposal is pluggable through “semantic docking points” to arbitrary EA frameworks. A prototypical implementation in the form of a modelling tool is discussed as an expository instantiation, as well as basis for evaluation and learned lessons.