Formalization of the problem of choosing the optimal sequence of enterprise architecture changes on basis of Brynjolfsson's matrix of change

Abstract

     Despite the great variety of methods and approaches to Enterprise Architecture development, their application in practice reveals a number of shortcomings. One of the most significant gaps inthis area of knowledge is insufficient study and weak formalization of planning of transition from the current state to the target Enterprise Architecture. That is why transition planning is often a creative process, its success depending much on experience, intuition, knowledge of corporate culture, the history of a company. Besides, in big companies the process is complicated by a great number of elements of architecture models, which makes it more demanding to implement the methods described in literature.
     EA literature describes also the importance of taking into consideration the interactions between EA elements during migration planning, but do not express the methods of this. Similar problem is solved by the theory of complementary assets.
     Brynjolfsson’s Matrix of Change is an effective tool for managing organizational change based on the theory of complementary assets. However this tool can be used only in small projects or for assessment of individual consolidated changes. The reason is the limited size of the matrix. The paper describes the mathematical model and the corresponding discrete optimization problem formulation, the solution ofwhich will overcome this restriction by using the mathematical apparatus instead of visual assessment when searching for theoptimal sequence of change.