University of Southern Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark (Danish: Syddansk Universitet) is with around 30,000 students and 4,000 employees Denmarks third largest university. The university is allocated on six campi with its main campus in Odense.
Within the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute of the Technical Faculty, Simon Hacks is researching on the conceptualization of EA Debts and EA Smells as well as developing tool support to automatize the analysis.
Recent Publications
Hacks, Simon; Jung, Jürgen
Enterprise Architecture Debts -- A Concept to Manage EA Evolution? Miscellaneous
ICIS 2020 TREOs, 2020.
@misc{Hacks.b,
title = {Enterprise Architecture Debts -- A Concept to Manage EA Evolution?},
author = {Simon Hacks and Jürgen Jung},
url = {https://aisel.aisnet.org/treos_icis2020/5/
http://ea-debts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TREO_EADebt_final.pdf
https://ea-debts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TREO_Presentation.pdf
},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-12-14},
urldate = {2020-12-02},
number = {5},
series = {ICIS 2020 TREOs},
abstract = {The EA discipline provides methods and tools for aligning business with corporate IT and even fostering (digital) innovation in an organization. Despite the plethora of research and practice, business-IT alignment is still a challenging task as it requires changes throughout an enterprise's technology, processes, and organization. The complexity of those changes does not only lie in their nature but is also influenced by the corporate environment. Established IT systems, technical debt (TD), outdated processes or even an extensive EAM framework might hamper the introduction or renovation of required business systems and processes. Furthermore, those debts slow down innovation and impose a tremendous risk on continu-ously optimizing business and IT. Even though these debts might have a big impact, it is sometimes hard to identify them explicitly due to the complexity of the organization and its processes. Methodical support is required in order to help with identifying them and miti-gating the associated risk.
Hitherto, we have proposed the concept of EA Debts arising from the concept of TD. While TD focuses on technical aspects, like flaws in the code basis or issues with the database de-sign, EA Debts try to capture a holistic view on the organization. EA Debts cover aspects among all EA layers but also their interdependencies. We assume that the concept of EA Debts can help enterprise architects to cope with the upcoming challenges related to digital-ization and agile projects. It provides them with a means to visualize the consequences of certain decisions on the EA and, thus, eases their argumentation towards a more sustainable architecture.
As the concept of EA Debts is relatively young, it offers a wide spectrum of future research activities: Adopting established metrics that can contribute to the assessment of EA Debt, but also developing new metrics. Thresholds need to be determined that indicate when a metric’s value should be interpreted as critical. Management techniques need to be estab-lished that keep the level of EA Debt in an organization under control. Finally, socio-technical aspects related to EA Debts in organizations should not be neglected.
In our talk, we like to introduce the topic to the audience and gather their feedback. Fur-thermore, we like to invite other researchers to contribute to the EA Debt related stream of research in future and to collaborate with us.},
howpublished = {ICIS 2020 TREOs},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}
The EA discipline provides methods and tools for aligning business with corporate IT and even fostering (digital) innovation in an organization. Despite the plethora of research and practice, business-IT alignment is still a challenging task as it requires changes throughout an enterprise's technology, processes, and organization. The complexity of those changes does not only lie in their nature but is also influenced by the corporate environment. Established IT systems, technical debt (TD), outdated processes or even an extensive EAM framework might hamper the introduction or renovation of required business systems and processes. Furthermore, those debts slow down innovation and impose a tremendous risk on continu-ously optimizing business and IT. Even though these debts might have a big impact, it is sometimes hard to identify them explicitly due to the complexity of the organization and its processes. Methodical support is required in order to help with identifying them and miti-gating the associated risk.
Hitherto, we have proposed the concept of EA Debts arising from the concept of TD. While TD focuses on technical aspects, like flaws in the code basis or issues with the database de-sign, EA Debts try to capture a holistic view on the organization. EA Debts cover aspects among all EA layers but also their interdependencies. We assume that the concept of EA Debts can help enterprise architects to cope with the upcoming challenges related to digital-ization and agile projects. It provides them with a means to visualize the consequences of certain decisions on the EA and, thus, eases their argumentation towards a more sustainable architecture.
As the concept of EA Debts is relatively young, it offers a wide spectrum of future research activities: Adopting established metrics that can contribute to the assessment of EA Debt, but also developing new metrics. Thresholds need to be determined that indicate when a metric’s value should be interpreted as critical. Management techniques need to be estab-lished that keep the level of EA Debt in an organization under control. Finally, socio-technical aspects related to EA Debts in organizations should not be neglected.
In our talk, we like to introduce the topic to the audience and gather their feedback. Fur-thermore, we like to invite other researchers to contribute to the EA Debt related stream of research in future and to collaborate with us.
Hitherto, we have proposed the concept of EA Debts arising from the concept of TD. While TD focuses on technical aspects, like flaws in the code basis or issues with the database de-sign, EA Debts try to capture a holistic view on the organization. EA Debts cover aspects among all EA layers but also their interdependencies. We assume that the concept of EA Debts can help enterprise architects to cope with the upcoming challenges related to digital-ization and agile projects. It provides them with a means to visualize the consequences of certain decisions on the EA and, thus, eases their argumentation towards a more sustainable architecture.
As the concept of EA Debts is relatively young, it offers a wide spectrum of future research activities: Adopting established metrics that can contribute to the assessment of EA Debt, but also developing new metrics. Thresholds need to be determined that indicate when a metric’s value should be interpreted as critical. Management techniques need to be estab-lished that keep the level of EA Debt in an organization under control. Finally, socio-technical aspects related to EA Debts in organizations should not be neglected.
In our talk, we like to introduce the topic to the audience and gather their feedback. Fur-thermore, we like to invite other researchers to contribute to the EA Debt related stream of research in future and to collaborate with us.
Lehmann, Barry-Detlef; Alexander, Peter; Lichter, Horst; Hacks, Simon
Towards the Identification of Process Anti-Patterns in Enterprise Architecture Models Inproceedings
In: 8th International Workshop on Quantitative Approaches to Software Quality in conjunction with the 27th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC 2020), pp. 47-54, CEUR-WS, 2020.
@inproceedings{Lehmann2020,
title = {Towards the Identification of Process Anti-Patterns in Enterprise Architecture Models},
author = {Barry-Detlef Lehmann and Peter Alexander and Horst Lichter and Simon Hacks},
url = {http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2767/06-QuASoQ-2020.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-12-11},
booktitle = {8th International Workshop on Quantitative Approaches to Software Quality in conjunction with the 27th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC 2020)},
volume = {2767},
pages = {47-54},
publisher = {CEUR-WS},
abstract = {IT processes constitute the backbone of an integrated enterprise architecture (EA). The model thereof sustains the development and management of the EA. Nevertheless, the quality of such models tends to degrade over time due to, e.g. improper modeling practices or ineffective evaluation. In this regard, the knowledge of relevant modeling anti-patterns can help identify, mitigate, and prevent the occurrence of sub-optimal or adverse constructs in the model. In the field of business process modeling (BPM), a plethora of BPM anti-patterns has been defined and compiled in various taxonomies. However, these BPM anti-patterns mostly focus on technical issues, which thus are applicable for evaluating workflows but not EA-level processes. We strongly argue that the concept of process anti-pattern in EA domain can facilitate EA analyses on process-related issues. To address this gap, this paper presents a catalogue of 18 EA process modeling anti-patterns, which we derived from the existing BPM anti-patterns. Our result should serve as food for thought and motivation for future research in this context.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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IT processes constitute the backbone of an integrated enterprise architecture (EA). The model thereof sustains the development and management of the EA. Nevertheless, the quality of such models tends to degrade over time due to, e.g. improper modeling practices or ineffective evaluation. In this regard, the knowledge of relevant modeling anti-patterns can help identify, mitigate, and prevent the occurrence of sub-optimal or adverse constructs in the model. In the field of business process modeling (BPM), a plethora of BPM anti-patterns has been defined and compiled in various taxonomies. However, these BPM anti-patterns mostly focus on technical issues, which thus are applicable for evaluating workflows but not EA-level processes. We strongly argue that the concept of process anti-pattern in EA domain can facilitate EA analyses on process-related issues. To address this gap, this paper presents a catalogue of 18 EA process modeling anti-patterns, which we derived from the existing BPM anti-patterns. Our result should serve as food for thought and motivation for future research in this context.
Alexander, Peter; Hacks, Simon; Jung, Jürgen; Steffens, Ulrike; Uludag, Ömer; Lichter, Horst
A Framework for Managing Enterprise Architecture Debts - Outline and Research Directions Inproceedings
In: Koschmider, Agnes; Michael, Judith; Thalheim, Bernhard (Ed.): 10th International Workshop on Enterprise Modeling and Information Systems Architectures, Kiel, Germany, May 14-15, 2020, pp. 5–10, CEUR-WS.org, 2020.
@inproceedings{Alexander.2020,
title = {A Framework for Managing Enterprise Architecture Debts - Outline and Research Directions},
author = {Peter Alexander and Simon Hacks and Jürgen Jung and Ulrike Steffens and Ömer Uludag and Horst Lichter},
editor = {Agnes Koschmider and Judith Michael and Bernhard Thalheim},
url = {http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2628/paper1.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-05-25},
booktitle = {10th International Workshop on Enterprise Modeling and Information Systems Architectures, Kiel, Germany, May 14-15, 2020},
volume = {2628},
pages = {5--10},
publisher = {CEUR-WS.org},
series = {CEUR Workshop Proceedings},
abstract = {Even though enterprise architecture management (EAM) offers a wide range of methods and tools for aligning business with IT, an architect’s work is challenged by reality. The evolution of enterprise architecture (EA) and given constraints (e.g. legacy systems and processes) lead to debts which may complicate and hinder opportunities; however, the management of such debts has not been considered in EAM research. This paper presents a framework for strategically managing EA-debt-related issues and propose open questions as well as future research directions in this field.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Even though enterprise architecture management (EAM) offers a wide range of methods and tools for aligning business with IT, an architect’s work is challenged by reality. The evolution of enterprise architecture (EA) and given constraints (e.g. legacy systems and processes) lead to debts which may complicate and hinder opportunities; however, the management of such debts has not been considered in EAM research. This paper presents a framework for strategically managing EA-debt-related issues and propose open questions as well as future research directions in this field.
Salentin, Johannes; Hacks, Simon
Towards a Catalog of Enterprise Architecture Smells Incollection
In: Gronau, Norbert; Heine, Moreen; Poustcchi, K; Krasnova, H (Ed.): WI2020 Community Tracks, pp. 276–290, GITO Verlag, 2020, ISBN: 9783955453367.
@incollection{Salentin.2020,
title = {Towards a Catalog of Enterprise Architecture Smells},
author = {Johannes Salentin and Simon Hacks},
editor = {Norbert Gronau and Moreen Heine and K Poustcchi and H Krasnova},
url = {https://dx.doi.org/10.30844/wi_2020_y1-salentin},
doi = {10.30844/wi_2020_y1-salentin},
isbn = {9783955453367},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-23},
booktitle = {WI2020 Community Tracks},
pages = {276--290},
publisher = {GITO Verlag},
abstract = {Code Smells are well known in the domain of Technical Debt (TD). They hint at common bad habits that impair the quality of the software system. By detecting those smells it is possible to suggest a better solution or, at least, make the developers aware of possible drawbacks. However, in terms of Enterprise Architecture (EA), which is a more holistic view of an enterprise including TD, there does not exist such a concept of EA Smells.
Such EA Smells can be a component of EA Debt, working like a metric to rate the quality of data and estimate parts of the EA Debt in an EA Repository. The main goal of this work is to start the development of a catalog to facilitate future design and development of EAs. This catalog should be expanded and serve as food for thought to create a corresponding tool for the detection of smells.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Code Smells are well known in the domain of Technical Debt (TD). They hint at common bad habits that impair the quality of the software system. By detecting those smells it is possible to suggest a better solution or, at least, make the developers aware of possible drawbacks. However, in terms of Enterprise Architecture (EA), which is a more holistic view of an enterprise including TD, there does not exist such a concept of EA Smells.
Such EA Smells can be a component of EA Debt, working like a metric to rate the quality of data and estimate parts of the EA Debt in an EA Repository. The main goal of this work is to start the development of a catalog to facilitate future design and development of EAs. This catalog should be expanded and serve as food for thought to create a corresponding tool for the detection of smells.
Such EA Smells can be a component of EA Debt, working like a metric to rate the quality of data and estimate parts of the EA Debt in an EA Repository. The main goal of this work is to start the development of a catalog to facilitate future design and development of EAs. This catalog should be expanded and serve as food for thought to create a corresponding tool for the detection of smells.
Yeong, Yoon Chow; Hacks, Simon; Lichter, Horst
Prioritization of EA Debts Facilitating Portfolio Theory Inproceedings
In: Lichter, Horst; Fögen, Konrad; Sunetnanta, Thanwadee; Anwar, Toni (Ed.): Proceedings of the 7th International Workshop on Quantitative Approaches to Software Quality co-located with 26th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC 2019), pp. 45–52, CEUR-WS.org, 2019.
@inproceedings{Yeong.2019,
title = {Prioritization of EA Debts Facilitating Portfolio Theory},
author = {Yoon Chow Yeong and Simon Hacks and Horst Lichter},
editor = {Horst Lichter and Konrad Fögen and Thanwadee Sunetnanta and Toni Anwar},
url = {http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2511/QuASoQ-06.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-12-02},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 7th International Workshop on Quantitative Approaches to Software Quality co-located with 26th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC 2019)},
pages = {45--52},
publisher = {CEUR-WS.org},
abstract = {Implementing an enterprise architecture (EA) project might not always be a success due to uncertainty and unavailability of resources. Hitherto, we have proposed a new metaphor –Enterprise Architecture Debt (EAD)–, which makes bad habits within EAs explicit. We anticipate that the
accumulation of EAD will negatively influence EA quality, also expose the business into risk.
Recognizing the importance of business-IT alignment in enterprise architecture context, this paper proposes an application of portfolio-based thinking and utility theory for EAD prioritization. For proof-of-concept purpose, we develop synthetic data using coarse-grained estimates to demonstrate the application of the proposed portfolio-based approach which helps to determine the optimum selection of EAD to be resolved. The results show that our approach can help EA practitioners and management to reason their EA investment decisions based on the EAD concept, with adjustable enterprises risk tolerance level.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Implementing an enterprise architecture (EA) project might not always be a success due to uncertainty and unavailability of resources. Hitherto, we have proposed a new metaphor –Enterprise Architecture Debt (EAD)–, which makes bad habits within EAs explicit. We anticipate that the
accumulation of EAD will negatively influence EA quality, also expose the business into risk.
Recognizing the importance of business-IT alignment in enterprise architecture context, this paper proposes an application of portfolio-based thinking and utility theory for EAD prioritization. For proof-of-concept purpose, we develop synthetic data using coarse-grained estimates to demonstrate the application of the proposed portfolio-based approach which helps to determine the optimum selection of EAD to be resolved. The results show that our approach can help EA practitioners and management to reason their EA investment decisions based on the EAD concept, with adjustable enterprises risk tolerance level.
accumulation of EAD will negatively influence EA quality, also expose the business into risk.
Recognizing the importance of business-IT alignment in enterprise architecture context, this paper proposes an application of portfolio-based thinking and utility theory for EAD prioritization. For proof-of-concept purpose, we develop synthetic data using coarse-grained estimates to demonstrate the application of the proposed portfolio-based approach which helps to determine the optimum selection of EAD to be resolved. The results show that our approach can help EA practitioners and management to reason their EA investment decisions based on the EAD concept, with adjustable enterprises risk tolerance level.