An enterprise architecture approach to forest management support systems design: an application to pulpwood supply management in Portugal

A key requirement for the success of a forest management information system is that it may effectively address its users?? needs. Yet, the development of models and methods to address-specific forest ecosystem management processes has not been matched by architectures that may take into account the human dimension of information systems. This paper presents an approach to pulpwood supply system architecture. Emphasis is on participatory business modeling that may effectively address users?? needs and enhance system resilience. An Enterprise Architecture methodology is proposed so that the information systems?? functional requirements for pulpwood supply may emerge from business and information architectures in workshops with the stakeholders. Results of its application to a vertically integrated Portuguese pulp and paper company are presented. The case study focuses on processes and business information required to support the pulp mills entire pulpwood supply management. Results show that the proposed approach addressed effectively end-users?? involvement in pulpwood supply system design. It provided an architecture that addresses all stakeholders?? perspectives and concerns and it was thus instrumental to develop a Pulp and Paper Supply Chain Process Framework. Results further show that it may effectively identify and integrate information systems?? components, ensuring business information integrity.