A METHODOLOGY TO MODEL THE INFORMATION-STRUCTURE OF AN ORGANIZATION

The Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) program of the U. S. Air Force identified a need to better communicate and analyze manufacturing for the people involved in improving productivity. To satisfy that need, the ICAM program developed the IDEF (ICAM Definition) method to address particular characteristics of manufacturing. This IDEF method is equally applicable in analyzing other types of organizations. IDEF comprises three modeling methodologies: function model methodology (IDEF//0), information model methodology (IDEF//1) and dynamics model methodology (IDEF//2). This paper reports on the information model methodology only. This methodology is used to construct an information model that helps in understanding the structure of information needed to support the functions of an organization.