This technical guide explains how the Enterprise Book of Rules is created during an IFS Cloud implementation, emphasizing its connection to Data Mesh functionality. It covers the IFS Implementation Methodology phases, the role of the Scope Tool, domain-based ownership of data, and governance needed for a scalable, agile, and compliant ERP solution.
Overview
Creating the Enterprise Book of Rules during an IFS Cloud implementation is a foundational step that integrates company strategy, operational principles, financial controls, and governance within the ERP solution. This document, developed through structured workshops and leveraging detailed templates, guides the entire implementation process by setting prerequisites and standards tailored to the customer’s business environment.
The IFS Implementation Methodology breaks the project into five key phases: Initiate Project, Confirm Prototype, Establish Solution, Implement Solution, and Go Live. Initially, the Enterprise Book of Rules is drafted based on information gathered during the sales cycle and from customer input. It evolves through each phase starting with defining company structure, business domains, and governance roles in Initiate Project; refining process models and solution scope in Confirm Prototype; extending to detailed solution design and testing in Establish Solution; preparing cutover plans and training in Implement Solution; and finally transitioning to live operation with governance and support in Go Live.
The Role of the IFS Scope Tool
Central to this methodology is the IFS Scope Tool, which maps functional modules of IFS to business domains. It captures business processes, configurations, and customizations (known as CRIM objects), maintaining alignment with the evolving Enterprise Book of Rules and data governance requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Data Mesh Principles in IFS Cloud
A significant advancement in modern IFS Cloud implementations is the incorporation of Data Mesh principles. Data Mesh introduces a decentralized approach to data management by assigning ownership of data products to individual business domains. This federation of data ownership aligns perfectly with the modular and process-centric nature of IFS Cloud. Within this model, a central governance committee sets overarching policies, while domain stewards are responsible for data quality, compliance, and operational readiness within their domains.
During the Initiate Project phase, the foundation of the Data Mesh approach is established by defining domain responsibilities, data stewardship roles, and governance frameworks. The Confirm Prototype phase further validates these roles by developing prototype processes that exemplify how data flows and ownership work across domains. Workshops conducted during this phase capture and confirm business requirements, governance needs, and integration scenarios.
Implementation Phases
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Initiate Project: Define Company Structure and Governance Foundations
Draft the initial Enterprise Book of Rules using customer inputs and templates. Define company structure, business domains, and governance roles. Establish Data Mesh foundations by assigning domain responsibilities and data stewardship roles.
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Confirm Prototype: Validate Data Flows and Business Requirements
Refine the Enterprise Book of Rules through workshops. Develop prototype processes to validate cross-domain data flows, ownership, and governance needs. Use the IFS Scope Tool to align business requirements with IFS modules.
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Establish Solution: Design and Test Configurations
Extend the Enterprise Book of Rules with detailed solution designs, configurations, and data migration routines. Conduct testing to ensure alignment with governance requirements and operational readiness.
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Implement Solution: Prepare for Operational Readiness
Finalize cutover plans, end-user training, and load testing. Ensure domain stewards are prepared for their roles in data quality, compliance, and operational management.
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Go Live: Transition to Governed Operation
Transition to live operation with centralized governance oversight. Implement continuous improvement plans and update management to sustain agility and compliance.
Federated Governance
Governance in this framework is federated and well-defined. The central team develops enterprise-wide standards and policies, while domain stewards ensure domain-specific compliance and quality management. This balances control with agility and enables business units to respond swiftly to evolving needs while maintaining enterprise integrity.
The Enterprise Book of Rules formalizes this structure by documenting processes, roles, authorization rules, and operational guidelines that support both ERP functionality and Data Mesh governance.
FAQ
The Enterprise Book of Rules is a comprehensive document that defines company strategy, operational rules, financial controls, and governance principles, guiding IFS Cloud implementation and operation.
It is initially drafted during the Initiate Project phase using templates and customer input, then refined through workshops and prototype validations in subsequent phases.
Data Mesh decentralizes data ownership to business domains, aligning with IFS Cloud’s modular design to enhance scalability, agility, and compliance.
The Scope Tool maps business processes to IFS modules, maintains configurations, and ensures alignment between the evolving solution and documented governance standards.
Domain stewards within each business domain are responsible for data quality, security, and compliance, under policies set by a central governance committee.
This integration creates a governed yet flexible framework that supports enterprise agility, compliance, and continuous improvement through decentralized data ownership.
Governance is federated: the central team sets enterprise-wide policies, while domain stewards ensure domain-specific compliance and quality management.
Conclusion
The synergy between the Enterprise Book of Rules and Data Mesh principles, achieved through the IFS Cloud implementation methodology, results in a robust, scalable, and agile ERP environment. This approach ensures that the customer benefits from a clear project scope, detailed process controls, and decentralized data ownership, all supported by a centralized governance model. It enables enterprises to innovate and respond dynamically to changing business requirements while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.