Developing the GEA Method - Design Science and Case-Study Research in Action

This paper is concerned with the research methodology that was used in the GEA (General Enterprise Architecting) research programme. The goal of this programme was the development of a new approach for doing enterprise architecture. We discuss the motivations for starting the GEA programme, its focus, as well as its objectives. Based on this, the research methodology as it was used by the GEA programme is discussed and motivated. This involves a combination of design science and case study based research. The paper also discusses the way the GEA programme went about to actually implement the research methodology in a real-world situation, while also highlighting its results.