A method to develop EA modeling languages using practice-proven solutions

Enterprises are unique in the way of doing business. This uniqueness is typically reflected in the overall make up of the enterprise – the enterprise architecture (EA). Globalized markets, changing legal regulations, and technological innovations thereby force enterprises to continually adapt their EA to the changing environment. As response, enterprises aim at a strategic management of the EA providing a holistic model of the key elements and relationships of an enterprise. Different supporting modeling languages have been proposed but none of them has gained broad acceptance due to the above described uniqueness.

In this paper we present a method to develop organization-specific EA modeling languages based on building blocks representing practice-proven solutions. Following the common understanding of modeling languages as consisting of syntax, semantics, and notation, we provide three different types of building blocks: information model building blocks that specify the syntax, glossary building blocks that textually define semantics, and viewpoint building blocks that specify the notation of the language. The applicability of the method for integrating building blocks to a consistent EA modeling language is illustrated along a case study from the public sector. The exposition of the method concludes with an outlook on further areas of research.