Criteria for selecting an Enterprise Modelling Method – Students' Perspectives on Archimate and 4EM

Abstract

Innovation in enterprises require an understanding of the inherent complexity and dependencies among an enterprise's processes, goals, resources, customers and several other aspects. The choice of a suitable Enterprise Modelling method and language is an essential part of it. This paper presents an overview of students' perspectives on the Enterprise Modelling methods and languages 4EM and Archimate, and the patterns and criteria for selecting a specific method and modelling language for their assignments. The analysis is based on a post hoc analysis of students' assignments from a course in Enterprise Architecture and Innovation, over a period of four years. The main contributions of this work are a set of selection criteria and recommendations for educators and students in selecting Enterprise Modelling methods and languages.