Citation
Forrester, P. (1999), "Business Process Engineering: : Reference Models for Industrial Enterprises", Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 57-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/ims.1999.10.3.57.1
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
This paperback study book is based on the author′s existing hardback 2nd edition of Business Process Engineering. In essence it describes the structure and application of the “Architecture of Integrated Information Systems” (ARIS) framework. ARIS is, it is argued, a well‐proven framework used in the development of business process models and provides a highly‐detailed set of principles to assist in the design of operations planning and control, product design and information systems. It complements other, more general and philosophical, texts on business process engineering in that it provides detail and rigour to the organizational design process. A particularly noteworthy inclusion in the book is the extensive use of diagrams and illustrations to assist the reader′s understanding of the methodology presented.
The book comprises four parts. Part A provides a general description and overview of ARIS and a review of the total design process from requirements planning through design specification to implementation of systems. Part B covers the various aspects of operations planning and control and considers in‐house “production logistics” as well as the design of the supply chain, the “inbound and outbound logistics”. Part C details the product design and development process, again in terms of requirements, specification and then implementation. Part D covers the design and implementation of business information systems and their integration.
The book presents a useful methodology for firms wishing to install and develop integrated manufacturing systems using business process principles. It is extremely detailed, although I found the approach slightly laboured in places. It is excellent on technical aspects of design, especially the integration of information and physical systems, although there is less attention to strategic, business or people issues in design. In its favour the book logically and clearly develops a detailed enterprise model which can then be used as a reference point for the design and engineering of detailed and precise business processes within the manufacturing firm. It is, therefore, a useful addition to any system designer′s bookshelf.