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Dealing with the complexity of business systems architecting

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  • F.P.M. Biemans
  • M.M. Lankhorst
  • W.B. Teeuw
  • R.G. van de Wetering

Abstract

Engineers are trained to design systems such as bridges, computers, and aircraft in a well‐structured manner. However, the design of business processes has not yet matured to this level. We argue that the complexity of business processes is the major cause. In this paper, we investigate the causes of this complexity, and provide heuristics to master this complexity. Business process “architecting,” the high‐level, functional design of business processes, is more an art than a science. Consequently, experience is very important. The heuristics we provide are based on an analysis of the reasons why business process architecting is so complex as well as our experience resulting from the Testbed project, a cooperative project of industry and research organizations. We conclude by discussing some basic requirements for modeling concepts and methods. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Syst Eng 4: 118–133, 2001

Suggested Citation

  • F.P.M. Biemans & M.M. Lankhorst & W.B. Teeuw & R.G. van de Wetering, 2001. "Dealing with the complexity of business systems architecting," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(2), pages 118-133.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:syseng:v:4:y:2001:i:2:p:118-133
    DOI: 10.1002/sys.1010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Herbert A. Simon, 1996. "The Sciences of the Artificial, 3rd Edition," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262691914, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. James H. Lambert & Rachel K. Jennings & Nilesh N. Joshi, 2006. "Integration of risk identification with business process models," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(3), pages 187-198, September.
    2. Paul G. Carlock & Robert E. Fenton, 2001. "System of Systems (SoS) enterprise systems engineering for information‐intensive organizations," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(4), pages 242-261.
    3. Christopher W. Karvetski & James H. Lambert, 2012. "Evaluating deep uncertainties in strategic priority‐setting with an application to facility energy investments," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(4), pages 483-493, December.

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