FJP3310 Advanced Enterprise Modeling: Holistic Systems & Software Modeling 8.0 credits
During the last decade, enterprise architecture has grown into an established approach for holistic management of systems and software in an organization. Enterprise architecture is model-based, in the sense that diagrammatic descriptions of the systems and their environment constitute the core of the approach. A number of enterprise architecture initiatives have been proposed, such as The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), Enterprise Architecture Planning (EAP), the Zachman Framework, Intelligrid, Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) and the military architectural frameworks such as DoDAF, MODAF and NAF. What constitutes a “good” enterprise architecture model has thus far not been clearly defined. The reason is that the “goodness” of a model is not an inherent property, but contingent on the purpose the model is intended to fill, i.e. what kind of analyses it will be subjected to. For instance, if one seeks to employ an enterprise architecture model for evaluating the performance of a system, the information required from the model differs radically from the case when the model is used to evaluate system interoperability.
Enterprise architecture analysis is the application of property assessment criteria on enterprise architecture models. For instance, one investigated property might be the cyber security of a system and a criterion for assessment of this property might be “If the architectural model of the enterprise features an intrusion detection system, then this yields a higher level of information security than if there is no such system.”
This course is focused on enterprise architecture and specifically enterprise architecture analysis of different quality criteria.
Information for research students about course offerings
Yearly, given there is enough interest
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Previously, business operations of most large enterprises were supported by a number of isolated IT systems performing miscellaneous and specific tasks, from real-time process control to administrative functionality such as payroll and billing. In order to better achieve business goals, these systems have in recent years been extended, and more importantly, integrated into a company-wide system in its own right, the enterprise IT system. Due to its history, this system is composed of a considerable number of heterogeneous components interacting by means of equally diverse connectors. To enable rational evolution and design, where the business’s requirements are transformed into technically and economically beneficial IT systems, holistic enterprise architecture models of the system are a necessity.
The purpose of this course is to develop students' understanding of and ability for using enterprise architecture models to describe and design cost-effective IT system portfolios that also provides a good support to the businesses that are using them.
The course consists of, and is examined by, one main project.
The course contains the following knowledge modules:
- The complexity of enterprises and the challenge for enterprise architecture.
- Basic enterprise architecture modeling.
- Enterprise architecture analysis.
Intended learning outcomes
After the course the participants should be able to:
- Compare, choose and motivate the usage of appropriate modeling and analysis methods for evaluation of systems and software issues.
- Model and analyze system and software issues on a holistic level such as cyber security, agility, interoperability, IT-Governance, IT business value, and more general architecture aspects.
- Present and discuss modeling and analysis results in a scientific manner.
Course disposition
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- EXA1 - Examination, 8.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
· Active seminar attendance at minimum 75% of the seminars
· Approved project assignment
· Approved oral presentation of project
· Approved written project report
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course web
Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.
Course web FJP3310