D. H. Liles, Ph.D.

Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering

The University of Texas at Arlington

Mary E. Johnson

Enterprise Integration Frameworks Program Coordinator

Automation & Robotics Research Institute

The University of Texas at Arlington

Laura M. Meade

Graduate Research Associate

Automation & Robotics Research Institute

The University of Texas at Arlington

D. Ryan Underdown

Graduate Research Associate

Automation & Robotics Research Institute

The University of Texas at Arlington

A new discipline, enterprise engineering, is emerging as engineers are facing the complexities of the holistic enterprise. A discipline consists of the following characteristics: (1) a focus of study, (2) a world view or paradigm, (3) a set of reference disciplines used to establish the discipline, (4) principles and practices associated with the discipline, (5) an active research or theory development agenda, and (6) the deployment of education and promotion of professionalism. This paper discusses these characteristics in terms of enterprise engineering. The role of educators and college curriculum is addressed.

The complexities of the modern enterprise and the challenging environment in which the enterprise exists, demand a new type of engineering professional. The Society for Enterprise Engineering (SEE) defines enterprise engineering as "that body of knowledge, principles, and practices having to do with the analysis, design, implementation and operation of an enterprise". As Business Process Reengineering and Information Engineering are becoming more prevalent in the work place, engineering students need to be prepared to design and analyze the enterprise as a holistic system of cultural, process, and technology components.

At The University of Texas at Arlington, the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering has begun to address the issue of training engineering students to be properly equipped to deal with the holistic enterprise. The purpose of this paper is to discuss enterprise engineering as a discipline as well as invoke further discussion on the direction of this emerging discipline.

"A discipline, in general, is a method or way to view an occurrence. Each discipline has a knowledge base that is distinct from that of other disciplines and provides a foundation for practice. The primary purpose of a discipline is the pursuit and development of knowledge. This knowledge base is enhanced and developed through research and provides direction for practice" (Doheny, 1987). Alternately, a discipline may be described as "a systematic and ordered study based upon clearly defined models and rules of procedure" (Snodgrass, 1987). Disciplines may be divided into subareas which have an underlying unity of subject matter, a substantial theoretical component, significant abstractions, and important design and implementation issues (Denning, 1989). Doheny (1987) suggests that a discipline is "a body of knowledge that is often expressed in practice and continually changed and expanded through research".

Disciplines become recognized after there are many existing researchers and practitioners. Salvendy states that "the fact is that all engineering disciplines were developed from empirical evidence and, as a result of research and understanding that evolved, a more scientific base was gradually established" (Salvendy, 1982). This is in agreement with Keen who discusses the development of Management Information Systems from a "theme" into a discipline (Keen, 1980). It is suggested that the first requirement for a discipline is a united subject matter or focus of study.

Several other requirements or characteristics of a discipline are discussed in the literature. First of all, it is essential that a discipline have a viewpoint. Thomas Kuhn (1962) calls this viewpoint a paradigm or world view. A paradigm has two essential characteristics. The first is the attraction of a group of people away from some current model of belief. Secondly, a paradigm must allow for open ended problem solving by this group of people (Doheny, 1987). Establishing a world view is necessary to promote a specific discipline because "the puzzles of normal science are so challenging that measurements undertaken without a paradigm seldom lead to any conclusions at all" (Kuhn, 1970).

Disciplines are based upon other disciplines, sometimes called reference disciplines or adjacent disciplines. Disciplines build upon the works of other disciplines and are recognized by other academicians and practitioners. However, uniqueness or distinction from other disciplines is imperative to recognition (Denning, 1989, Doheny, 1987, Keen, 1980, & Snodgrass, 1987). Reference discipline theories and methods are assessed, not merely adopted (Keen, 1980). The principles and practices associated with a discipline are unique and well defined. A discipline should also be identifiable with a research community that sustains its own literature (Denning, 1989 & Snodgrass, 1987). Applied disciplines have a relationship to practice with many research questions beginning as issues of concern to practitioners (Denning, 1989 & Keen, 1980). Separate curricula professional societies, and journals advance professionalism and are necessary for a separate discipline (Maynard, 1971). A discipline is a continually expanding ordered study of a substantial area of focus which is performed using a viewpoint that contains clearly defined models and procedures. A discipline is based upon a foundation of knowledge unique from other disciplines.

The literature research evidenced above suggests that a discipline has the six basic characteristics: (1) a focus of study, (2) a world view or paradigm, (3) a set of reference disciplines used to establish the discipline, (4) principles and practices associated with the discipline, (5) an active research or theory development agenda, and (6) the deployment of education and promotion of professionalism. To answer the question posed by the title of this paper, each of the six points, as shown in Figure 1, is addressed.

Figure 1: Characteristics of a Discipline

A focus of study is a unique fundamental question that emerges from the needs of society. A discipline has goals and objectives to help answer the question (Denning, 1989, Doheny, 1987 & Snodgrass, 1987). A discipline is a way to communicate with peers in a professional manner. The focus of this communication needs to be stated in order to facilitate the advancement of the discipline. Engineering as a discipline emerged from the need to enrich human life and promote social progress (Kirck, 1969). The basic role of the engineer, to take scientific theory and make practical use of it, has not changed over time. However, the objectives pursued, the techniques of solution used, and the available tools of analysis have changed (Smith, Butler, and Lebold, 1983). A new engineering discipline must have a unique focus which addresses a current need. Industrial engineering, as an example, was stimulated by the need for technically trained people who could plan, organize, and direct the operations of large complex systems, as well as the need to increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations (Turner, Mize, and Case, 1987).

It is the fundamental question being addressed by the discipline that determines the focus of study. The Society for Enterprise Engineering states that the fundamental question being addressed is "how to design and improve all elements associated with the total enterprise through the use of engineering and analysis methods and tools to more effectively achieve its goals and objectives" (SEE, 1995). This fundamental question leads to the development of a "body of knowledge, principles, and practices having to do with the analysis, design, implementation, and operation of the enterprise". Enterprise engineering appears to have a well defined and unique focus of study.

A discipline must define the way in which it views the world. It must have an overall unique perspective. This world view or paradigm determines the framework necessary to develop the discipline through practice and research (Doheny, 1987). The viewpoint of a discipline needs to be complex and substantial enough to be divided into subdisciplines or subareas (Keen, 1980). For example, the industrial engineering discipline can be divided into subdisciplines such as ergonomics, plant layout, and robotics. Each subdiscipline is concerned with and specialized primarily on a particular type of product, process, or industry (Smith, 1983).

There are several world view assumptions necessary to accurately reflect the depth of enterprise engineering. The first assumption is that the enterprise can be viewed as a complex system. This is necessary because systems in organizations are systems of organized complexity. Complexity is the result of the multiplicity and intricacy of man’s interaction with other components of the system (van Gigch, 1991). Secondly, the enterprise is to be viewed as a system of processes. These processes are engineered both individually and holistically. The final assumption is the use of engineering rigor in transforming the enterprise. The enterprise engineering paradigm views the enterprise as a complex system of processes that can be engineered to accomplish specific organizational objectives. Enterprise engineering recognizes the ever-changing organic nature of the enterprise, thus is a valid worldview or paradigm.

A reference discipline is a body of knowledge used to help establish an emerging discipline (Keen, 1980). To develop a recognized discipline, researchers must discover the contributions of supporting disciplines. History has shown that a discipline emerges from the need to solve new problems that are not presently addressed by existing disciplines. New disciplines build on the knowledge, subject matter, methods, tools, and theories of existing disciplines to solve these new problems. Assessing reference discipline implications on an emerging discipline assists researchers in understanding existing disciplines and helps uncover how existing knowledge can be incorporated into new theories and concepts. Identifying and understanding the contributions of reference disciplines provide a foundation of support for a new discipline in the existing research community. By referencing disciplines, the contributions of existing knowledge are formally recognized, a logical link to the new discipline is provided. Researchers in the existing discipline communities can follow these links and develop a measure of acceptance and recognition for the new discipline. Without this linkage, existing disciplines may question the grounding theories of a new discipline and dismiss its importance.

It is being proposed that the discipline of enterprise engineering uniquely builds upon base disciplines in science, engineering, and humanities. The reference disciplines listed below need to be investigated to determine what specific contributions in terms of subject matter, theories, tools, and methodologies that can be applicable to enterprise engineering:

• Systems Engineering/Systems Theory
• Information Systems
• Industrial Engineering
• Accounting
• Organizational Design/Human Systems

Currently, enterprise engineering has used engineering disciplines such as industrial engineering and systems engineering, but has largely neglected rich fields of study in the humanities and in the sciences. Other reference disciplines need further investigation to determine their contributions to enterprise engineering. Research in these disciplines is vital to the growth and development of enterprise engineering as a discipline.

Principles and practices form the foundation of a discipline and promote further ordered study. Principles incorporate the world view and are the operating philosophy by which problems are approached. Practices are the methodologies, models, procedures, and theories used to apply the knowledge base of the discipline. In an engineering discipline, the body of abstract knowledge is developed by scientific research and logical analysis. Engineering principles and practices are embodied in systems of theory, abstraction, design, and implementation. The activities which occur in each of these processes are what differentiate specific engineering disciplines.

It is important for principles and practices to be arranged logically to facilitate decision-making, critical thinking and problem solving. The following briefly describes the main elements of engineering practice:

Theory - In developing a coherent theory four steps are necessary: 1) Characterize objects of study (definition), 2) Hypothesize possible relationships among them (theorem), 3)Determine whether the relationships are true (proof) and 4) Interpret the results. Theory is important because it contributes a foundation of sound principles from which to advance the discipline (Denning, 1989). Theory sets the stage and gives focus to the development of principles and practices.

Abstraction - Abstraction, also referred to as modeling, is rooted in experimental scientific method and consists of four stages to be followed during an investigation: 1) Form a hypothesis, 2) Construct a model and make a prediction, 3) Design an experiment and collect data, and 4) Analyze the results (Denning, 1989). Abstraction provides a way for engineers to represent the focus of study in a way that can be tested.

Design - The creative design process consists of four steps: 1) Preparation, 2) Incubation, 3) Illumination, and 4) Resolution (Kim, 1990). Preparation is becoming oriented to the problem and defining the task. Incubation is the period of aridity or immersion in unrelated activities which occurs in the search for alternatives. The sudden spark of insight and recognition of a candidate solution is referred to as the illumination step. Finally, the resolution step assesses and implements the candidate solution. Creativity is an important element in the successful completion of the design process. Design is not merely selecting from alternatives, but is an iterative generation of alternatives that meet the identified needs.

Implementation - Implementation is an integral part of the engineering process. It is the launching point for a design. Many good designs fail because of poor implementation. Once the design is implemented it can be further analyzed for improvements by both the designer and the user. Feedback of this nature improves the next iteration of the design.

Principles and practices are the essence of a discipline. They incorporate the world view as well as the methodologies, models, and procedures necessary to advance the discipline through research and theory development.

An active research agenda implies that questions which address the fundamental question of the discipline are currently being generated and studied. The following are characteristics of an active research agenda: 1) The agenda stands the test of time, with many researchers and practitioners in the discipline continually expanding the research that builds upon itself; 2) The research agenda is complex and substantial enough to be divided into subareas; and 3) Multiple subquestions are formulated to guide the research necessary to contribute to the body of knowledge which addresses the fundamental question asked by the discipline.

Developing an active research or theory agenda is essential to establishing the concepts unique to enterprise engineering. Establishing this agenda provides a mechanism to ground new theory and procedures to conduct enterprise engineering field studies. A discipline is in concert with practice, as both theory and practice enhance each other. Lines of research form a network between practitioners and researchers. Practitioners uncover new problems, communicate those problems to researchers. Researchers develop solutions through existing research agendas or through new lines of research and communicate to practitioners. This is an iterative cycle that facilitates the enhancement of both theory and practice.

Specific lines of research represent a logical decomposition of a discipline. Together, these lines have a synergistic effect that combine to support a discipline as a whole. An active research agenda for enterprise engineering would allow researchers to specialize in a particular area, similar to the specific areas of industrial engineering, such as operations research, ergonomics, and statistics. Designating research specializations helps establish a clear relationship between enterprise engineering and reference disciplines, similar to how operations research is linked to management, ergonomics to physiology, and statistics to mathematics. Specific areas of research allow the development of unique tools, methods, theories and concepts to address particular questions. Lines of research contribute a measure of credibility with other disciplines. An established research agenda demonstrates a level of organization and direction to other disciplines, thus generating acceptance in the research community.

Perhaps the most important reason to pursue lines of research is the focus provided to researchers and the promotion of future research in the discipline. A cumulative tradition needs to be established where researchers build on each other’s and their own previous work. The definitions, topics, and concepts are shared, along with senior researchers viewing their main role as shaping the field (Keen, 1980). Researchers can concentrate on specific areas, develop unique ideas, and pose new questions for future research, thus promoting the future of enterprise engineering as a discipline.

The budding discipline called enterprise engineering does have the beginnings of an active research agenda. However, a concerted effort is required in order to build a cumulative tradition. Possible lines of research for enterprise engineering include: analysis and design of the enterprise, activity modeling, business process modeling, and change management. Since the enterprise is composed of a system of cultural, process, and technology components, additional lines of research could also be developed in those areas.

The deployment of education and promotion of professionalism are essential to the widespread recognition of a discipline. Mechanisms of deployment include refereed professional journals, professional societies and conferences, and curricula in universities. Developing and maintaining these mechanisms of deployment will result in the recognition of a new discipline. Refereed professional journals provide a forum to develop new knowledge and identify future lines of research. Over time, a written record of knowledge will accumulate and represent a historical account of thought progression. Professional conferences provide a forum to discuss current thought progression and to publish emerging ideas. Professional societies with local chapters encourage involvement at the grass roots level. Societies and conferences help build the skills of existing and aspiring researchers and practitioners by exposing them to new ideas in the field. Curricula in universities are mechanisms to generate new researchers and practitioners and sustain the profession in future years. An established curriculum changes incrementally over time, providing a steady base of accepted knowledge from which new research can build.

The University of Texas at Arlington’s (UTA) Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering has developed for their curriculum four courses which are supportive of Enterprise Engineering, as shown in Figure 2. The first three courses are offered in the UTA College of Engineering. The fourth course is offered in the UTA College of Business’s Information Systems and Management Sciences Department.

Enterprise Engineering Methods - A survey of enterprise engineering methods. Topics include a system development methodology, a discussion of enterprise architectures, activity modeling (IDEF0), business modeling (IDEF1X), activity based performance analysis, simulation, and process improvement.

Enterprise Analysis and Design - An in-depth study of techniques useful for the analysis and design of the manufacturing enterprise. This course presents an advanced process description technique (IDEF3) which is used, with simulation and activity based costing, to facilitate analysis and design.

Enterprise Architecture and Frameworks - A survey of enterprise architectures and analysis frameworks that have been proposed for the integration of large complex enterprise systems. Emphasis is placed on state-of-the-art approaches.

Systems Concepts - Intellectual foundations, primary concepts, theoretical frameworks for systems applied to fields such as system development, systems management, and decision making.

Figure 2. Enterprise Engineering Curricula

Many of the mechanisms for educating and promoting enterprise engineering professionals are currently in progress. The Society for Enterprise Engineering (SEE), exists "to serve members by providing enterprise engineering principles, methods, tools, and practices through education and the advancement of professionalism". SEE represents a group of professionals dedicated to developing enterprise engineering into a recognized discipline by holding two annual conferences and publishing accompanying proceedings. Through SEE, a forum exists to discuss new ideas in enterprise engineering, publish articles, and begin accumulating a knowledge base from which future research can be grounded.

To further the development of enterprise engineering as a recognized discipline, professional refereed journals must be established. At present, Enterprise Reengineering is the only regular publication promoting ideas and concepts similar to those of enterprise engineering. Although a trade journal, it does provide a forum to discuss new ideas in the practitioner arena. Since a professional refereed journal does not exist at this time, articles must be placed in related discipline publications. Established journals such as Engineering Management Journal, IEEE Transactions on Management, Computers and Industrial Engineering, and Industrial Engineering are examples of publications which may be receptive of enterprise engineering ideas. As other disciplines publish enterprise engineering ideas, recognition for the discipline will develop. Those intimately involved in enterprise engineering research should take the initiative to sponsor a professional refereed journal to advance the discipline down the road towards recognition and acceptance.

This paper has asked the question, "Is enterprise engineering a discipline?" It has discussed enterprise engineering as a discipline in terms of six basic characteristics: (1) a focus of study, (2) a world view or paradigm, (3) a set of reference disciplines used to establish the discipline, (4) principles and practices associated with the discipline, (5) an active research or theory development agenda, and (6) the deployment of education and promotion of professionalism. From the information presented above and summarized in Figure 3 below, Enterprise Engineering is well on its way to becoming a recognized discipline.

Figure 3. Enterprise Engineering as a Discipline

Enterprise engineering has a focus of study and a worldview defined by the Society for Enterprise Engineering. Several reference disciplines are being examined and explored for the possible adoption and adaptation of sound principles and practices. A research agenda is emerging from both practitioners and academicians. An active professional society is promoting education in universities, government, and industry. Although characteristics of a discipline have been partially fulfilled, opportunities for the further development of this discipline are substantial. Exciting work remains in defining a research agenda, in developing unique principles and practices, in deploying education, and in promoting professionalism. Further curricula needs to be developed in universities that prepare young engineers to advance the enterprise engineering discipline.

Research for this paper is funded in part by the State of Texas Advanced Technology Program Grant #003656-036 and by the National Science Foundation sponsored Agile Aerospace Manufacturing Research Center.

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Don Liles is the Associate Director of the Automation & Robotics Research Institute, part of The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Engineering. He is a professor in the Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Department, since 1979. His research areas include agile business process templates, strategic justification, enterprise integration, and enterprise engineering. He has supervised the dissertations of eleven Ph.D. graduates. He is an active leader in the Society for Enterprise Engineering, and has held a national office in Alpha Pi Mu. He has published numerous papers in journals and in conference proceedings. He is the 1984 recipient of the Jerome H. Ely Award for the best paper of the year in the Human Factor Journal.

Mary Johnson is the Program Coordinator for the Enterprise Integration Frameworks program, one of six research programs at the Automation & Robotics Research Institute (ARRI). She received her BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from The University of Texas at Arlington. She worked as an Industrial Engineer in the packaging, aerospace, and financial industries prior to joining ARRI in 1990. Her research interests include enterprise design, enterprise transformation, and agility. She is currently working on her dissertation for a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering.

Laura Meade is a Graduate Research Associate at ARRI. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Valparaiso University and a MBA in Information Systems from The University of Texas at Arlington. She worked for 6 years in the aerospace industry. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at UTA. Her research interests include enterprise architecture and agility.

Ryan Underdown is a Graduate Research Associate at ARRI. He holds a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from UTA. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at UTA. His research interests include cultural change, enterprise transformation and enterprise excellence.

August 4, 1995

Edward W. Ernst

Journal of Engineering Education

Swearingen Engineering Center

University of South Carolina

Columbia, SC 29208

(803)777-7990

Dear Edward W. Ernst:

Laura M. Meade

The University of Texas at Arlington

Automation & Robotics Research Institute

7300 Jack Newell Blvd. South

Fort Worth, TX 76118

817-794-5900 Fax: 817-794-5952 lmeade@arri.uta.edu

Thank-you for taking the time to review this article.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Meade