Design and evolution of e-business models

Abstract

Companies need to adjust their business models constantly to changes in their environment. In this paper, we propose a lightweight approach for evolving business models that allows for a quick evaluation of alternatives, while preserving investments in existing business processes. The approach is based on the user requirements notation (URN) for modeling and analysis of early requirements in the form of goals and scenarios. URN models help us model the strategic options available to a business for evolving its business model, and determine when the right moment to apply them has come. We illustrate the systematic and incremental evolution of business model alternatives for an e-business case study.