Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
n
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System
Subsystem
Component
Subcomponent
Assembly
Subassembly
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The WBS framework is an outline within which to gradually refine a larger
objective into smaller component parts. It presents an ever more granular break-
down of the system from system to subassembly. The WBS identifies smaller parts/
tasks, which promote manageability and may allow many development activities to
take place concurrently. Identifying individual components means that they can be
designed to do one thing, do it well, and then be reused whenever there is need for
the same function elsewhere. (The WBS above is from MIL-HDBK 881:
Depart-
ment of Defense Handbook Work Breakdown Structures
.)
The WBS addresses entities (systems); however, the enterprise is more than just
systems. The enterprise is the collection of all the business functions that support
it. These business functions are themselves collections of systems; thus, a business
function may be characterized as an aggregation of systems that interact to carry
out the business function. An enterprise also consists of people, collections of peo-
ple, activities, workflow, procedures, and more.
The following Enterprise Context Framework (ECF) abstractly accommodates
all aspects of the enterprise:
Enterprise
Business function
System (
entity
, product, thing, deliverable)
Subsystem
Component
Subcomponent
Assembly
Subassembly
Business process (
action
)
Workflow
Process (procedure)
Task
Kinetic (manual)
Cognitive (mental)
Automated (service)
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Collectives
Person (actor)
Behavior
Conscious
Unconscious
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n
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