Enterprise Elements are the fundamental building blocks of the ICMG Enterprise Anatomy Model. Each enterprise element is a single-variable model that represents a specific aspect of the anatomy.
Each Enterprise Element is a single-variable model, meaning it represents just one specific aspect of an organization’s anatomy—be it data, a rule, a network, or another variable. The key idea is that an enterprise element is focused solely on one variable. The moment something contains information related to more than one variable, it transitions from being an element to becoming a Compound.
In practice, most diagrams and expressions we encounter are created as compounds, often without us realizing it. We might not be fully aware that these compounds are built upon individual elements. If we take the time to understand these foundational elements, we can then deliberately combine them to create more complex models—or compounds—that effectively address our organizational challenges.
Types of Enterprise Elements
These elements can be categorized into one of the following six types:
Information or Data
Rule or Motivation
Location or Network