IE - Information Engineering Process

Home  >  Processes >  Process/Project IEP - IE - Information Engineering Process

Process/Project IEP - IE - Information Engineering Process
Stage PMP - Plan Project
Stage PMA - Activate Project
Stage PMC - Control Project
Stage IEI - Information Strategy Planning
Stage IEO - Outline Business Area Analysis
Stage IED - Detailed Business Area Analysis
Stage IEB - Business System Design
Stage IET - Technical Design
Stage IEC - Construction
Stage TRN - Transition
Stage PME - End Project




- for this Process


Process Flow

Index
     
Description

Method in the Madness

Method helps intuition when it is not transformed
into dictatorship. Intuition augments method if it
does not instill anarchy. In every moment of our
semiotic existence, method and intuition
complement each other.
Mihai Nadin - Interface Design and Evaluation


A New Method

When Information Engineering first appeared in the early eighties there were other methodologies already in existence. These were the structured methods of the
seventies. So why build another method?

The existing structured methods were often called system development methodologies.

The following table contrasts structured methods and information engineering.


SYSTEM
Structured Methods - focus is on a single system

Information Engineering - focus is on a collection of systems operating within an architecture and supporting the business as a whole.


DEVELOPMENT
Structured Methods - focus is on the back end of the development life cycle - design and construction.

Information Engineering - focus is on the front end of the life cycle, ensuring the systems being built are the right solutions for the business.


METHODOLOGY
Structured Methods - focus on the needs of the project manager. The method is expressed as a work breakdown structure and deliverables

Information Engineering - focus is on the needs of the complete team. Information Engineering supports management as in a structured method but also addresses the real work on the project through an elaborate collection on techniques.


The Principles

Information Engineering is a collection of tasks and deliverables, of techniques and roles, of stages and dependencies. You can learn all of these and follow them and still not be doing information engineering. Information engineering is as much about attitude as it is about technology. The attitude is summed up in six basic principles.

- business driven - it is rare that a project is justified for other than business reasons. However often during its life a project seems to take on a life of its own. The original goals somehow are lost. In information engineering the business imperative for the project is explored in detail in business analysis. These business needs are explicit drivers for all the decisions through design and construction. This linkage not only maintains the business focus but also makes it easier to respond to changes both during and after the project.

- graphical communication - communication is key to any project. Unless the business can communicate effectively with the developers the solution will be ineffective, unless the developers can communicate with each other the solution will be inefficient. But how do you communicate complex business ideas and how do you ensure that the communication is complete, consistent and correct. In Information engineering diagrams are the key to this communication. Often diagrams are used as an engineering tool and kept among the engineers. When used as a communication tool the diagrams must be public and an active part of the discussion with the business people.

- small projects - there is considerable evidence in our industry that large projects share common characteristics - they don't deliver on time, they go over budget and fail to deliver on expectations. On the other hand small projects indicate a much higher prospect for success. The reason for this is simple - it is more practical for a project team to understand the scope and aims of a small project. In information engineering the overall approach is one of 'divide and conquer'. At each stage there is a push to break the project down into smaller components and to address each component with a separate team.

- architecture based - if you break projects down into small components you better be able to integrate the components into an overall solution when they are completed. In information engineering that is the responsibility of the architectures. The architectures provide a framework for understanding the components, their scope and interfaces.

- continuously refined - previously project estimates were made at a very early stage when hard facts were scarce. This usually resulted in an impossibly inaccurate estimate and an inappropriate scope. In information engineering the 'divide and conquer' approach results in a refinement of scope and estimate at key points throughout the project. This concentrates effort on delivering the most important functionality and on setting and meeting realistic expectations.

- automatable - information engineering was the first method designed for automation.

[Description]  [Process Flow] 
Process Flow


sponsored announcements and special offers
Learn how IT can better guide its strategic investments and operational resource allocation throughout the service lifecycle. With Service Portfolio Management, IT investments and resources are translated into things the business cares about – services. Download the white paper Service Portfolio Management: Manage IT For Business Value.


96% of customers recommend LiquidPlanner to friends. Small team? Big stack of projects? Decide what's important, decide who can do it, and start making progress today. Schedule, collaborate, and track time in one central place. Start today with a no-risk trial.

Don't re-invent the wheel! Why divert resources to developing business intelligence and analytics functionality when partnering results in improved productivity and more innovation? Check out this IDC white paper from SAP to see why partnering with an established BI vendor presents a compelling economic case.

Register Today and Save 15%!
Earn PDUs and advanced project management credentials 100% online from Villanova University, ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn how!

Register now for a webinar on March 23rd: Looking for a Project and Portfolio Mgmt software?
Tired of spreadsheets and the like? Obtain a working knowledge of one of the most powerful softwares available for PMOs and portfolio, project and resource managers : PSNext. Registration is free.



"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like and do what you'd rather not."
- Mark Twain