Design Support for e-Commerce Information Systems using Goal, Business and Process Modelling  

Abstract: Enterprises use various models to find design solutions to their e-Commerce information systems. Goal, business and process models are parts of a chain of models used for this purpose. Business modelling requires structured methods to support design and traceability. Process modelling also needs structured methods to manage design complexity, traceability and flexibility. The thesis proposes several artifacts to address these challenges. It proposes a method to design business models from goal models. We start by analyzing strategic goals and express goal model notions using business notions. A set of guidelines is proposed to design a business model. The method provides structured business model design and traceability of the decisions from business to strategic level.The thesis also discusses a set of mappings to relate goal modelling language constructs to process modelling notions. We use BMM, i' and KAOS for goal modelling. The mappings are used to identify how these techniques can support process design. In addition, a set of mappings is proposed to relate business modelling language constructs to process modelling notions. We use the e3value model for business modelling. Based on these mappings a number of activities are identified to structure process activities from a business viewpoint.We also propose a method to design process models using goal and business models as inputs. As a bridge between two input models and a process model, the notion of an activity dependency model is introduced. The transitions between models are performed by using guidelines. The method provides structured process model design, flexibility for process models and traceability of the decisions from operational to strategic and business levels.These artifacts can be used for designing enterprise business and process models. We follow the design science research method used in information systems research. The evaluation builds on scenarios, implementations and a literature review.