Macroscope
An integrated enterprise information-technology methodology suite developed and maintained by Fujitsu in Canada.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Macroscope is an integrated body of methods, processes, techniques, deliverables, training material, and supporting tools for enterprise information-technology work. It originated in Canada with DMR Group Inc., the consulting and technology organization that later became associated with Fujitsu Consulting. Rather than being a single software application, Macroscope is a structured methodology suite intended to support the full lifecycle of IT-enabled organizational change, from business strategy and enterprise architecture through project delivery, solution development, benefits realization, and portfolio management. The foundations of Macroscope appeared in 1984 and 1985 in two DMR information-system development guides covering project management and system development. These guides combined principles, processes, techniques, and deliverables, and integrated elements associated with the French Merise approach to data modeling and the American Gane and Sarson approach to process modeling. A broader five-volume Information System Delivery Series followed between 1987 and 1990. The 1987 edition was subsequently treated as version 2.0, while the 1990 edition was known as DMR Productivity Plus, commonly shortened by users to P+. From 1990 to 1996, DMR developed the broader Macroscope program with financial and logistical participation from the Province of Quebec, industrial partners, research centers, and user groups. The program sought to create integrated methods, software tools, and training that could improve the development and use of information technology. Its initial knowledge areas were Productivity Plus, Strategy Plus, Benefits Plus, and Architecture Plus. These areas later became commercial components and eventually evolved into the five-domain structure used by Macroscope: Solution, Vision, Benefits, Architecture, and Project. The first commercial product released under the DMR Macroscope umbrella was P+ OnLine in 1994, carrying version number 2.2. Subsequent component names included DMR ProductivityCentre, DMR ArchitectureLab, DMR ResultStation, and DMR StrategyForum. Version 3.0, released in 1996, was the first HTML publication of the methodology; it was replaced by version 3.1 in 1998. Version 3.5 arrived in 2001, with ManagementSuite added and the DMR prefixes removed from the component names. In 2002, following the rebranding of DMR's consulting business as Fujitsu Consulting, the suite adopted the shorter Macroscope name. Versions 4.0 through 4.9 were released during the following years, generally with approximately annual updates. Version 5.0 was released in 2012 and introduced simpler domain terminology as well as hosted or service-based delivery for selected clients. Version 5.2, released in 2014, substantially revised the enterprise-architecture approach. Macroscope is primarily used as Fujitsu's consulting knowledge base and delivery framework, while also being licensed commercially to selected clients. Its domains are organized using concepts associated with the Object Management Group's Software Process Engineering Metamodel. A typical domain defines workflows, phases, activities, roles, deliverables, templates, examples, techniques, and underlying principles. The suite therefore provides a common vocabulary and repeatable structure for organizations managing complex technology programs, while allowing methods to be adapted to local circumstances. Its scope places it closer to an enterprise consulting methodology and professional-services framework than to a conventional consumer software product.
History
Macroscope developed from DMR Group Inc.'s early information-system methods in Canada. The first documented foundation was a pair of guides published in 1984 and 1985: one focused on managing projects and the other on developing systems. These guides established the suite's characteristic structure of principles, processes, techniques, and deliverables. Their system-design approach combined concepts from Merise, a French information-system modeling method, with Gane and Sarson process-modeling techniques. Between 1987 and 1990, DMR published the Information System Delivery Series, a five-book collection covering project management, system development, system ownership, prototyping, and sample phase reports. The 1987 edition later became associated with version 2.0, while the revised 1990 collection was called DMR Productivity Plus, or P+ among users. This work provided the historical base for the later Solution and Project parts of Macroscope. A larger research-and-development initiative, known as Le Macroscope Informatique, ran from approximately 1990 to 1996. DMR worked with the Province of Quebec, industrial and research partners, and user groups to develop an integrated set of methodologies, tools, and training intended to improve the development and use of IT. The initiative initially organized its knowledge into Productivity Plus, Strategy Plus, Benefits Plus, and Architecture Plus. These areas corresponded broadly to solution delivery, organizational strategy, benefits management, and enterprise architecture. The first commercial release under the DMR Macroscope umbrella was P+ OnLine, introduced in 1994 with version number 2.2. DMR subsequently renamed or commercialized the component areas as ProductivityCentre, ArchitectureLab, ResultStation, and StrategyForum. In 1996, DMR Macroscope 3.0 became the first release published in HTML. It was superseded by version 3.1 in 1998. Version 3.5 followed in 2001, when the component names lost their DMR prefixes and ManagementSuite was added for project-management work. The transition to the Fujitsu era occurred around 2002, when DMR's consulting organization was rebranded Fujitsu Consulting. The suite consequently became simply Macroscope. Versions 4.0 through 4.9 were released during the next several years, with incremental updates generally appearing at roughly yearly intervals. Version 5.0 arrived in 2012 and simplified the terminology used for the methodology domains. The suite was also made available in hosted or service-based form for particular clients. Version 5.2, released in 2014, introduced a substantial revision of the enterprise-architecture approach. The mature suite is organized into five domains. Vision addresses the capture, structuring, documentation, and confirmation of organizational strategy. Architecture focuses on the capabilities and enterprise-architecture structures needed to support that strategy. Solution covers the development, maintenance, operation, and evolution of information systems. Benefits addresses programs and portfolios intended to produce business value from IT investments and organizational change. Project supports project managers in delivering work within expected schedule, budget, scope, and quality constraints. Each domain uses a similar knowledge structure. Processes define workflows, phases, activities, responsibilities, and resulting work products. Deliverables are accompanied by descriptions, templates, and examples, while techniques explain how to produce the content of those deliverables. Fundamental principles provide a conceptual basis for adapting and applying the methods. The suite's organization is compatible with Software Process Engineering Metamodel concepts developed by the Object Management Group, an area to which Fujitsu contributed. Macroscope has served both as a core knowledge base for Fujitsu consulting engagements and as a licensed commercial methodology for selected clients.
- 2014
Macroscope 5.2
[1]Version 5.2 substantially revised the enterprise-architecture approach.
- 2012
Macroscope 5.0
[1]Version 5.0 introduced simplified terminology for the domains and enabled hosted or service-based delivery for specific clients.
- 2002
Rebranded as Macroscope
[1]Following the transition of DMR's consulting business to Fujitsu Consulting, the product suite dropped the DMR prefix and adopted the Macroscope name.
- 2001
DMR Macroscope 3.5
[1]Version 3.5 was released, the DMR prefixes were removed from domain names, and ManagementSuite was added.
- 1998
DMR Macroscope 3.1
[1]Version 3.1 replaced the initial HTML-based 3.0 release.
- 1996
DMR Macroscope 3.0
[1]Version 3.0 was the first publication of the methodology in HTML format.
- 1994
P+ OnLine released
[1]P+ OnLine became the first commercial product released under the DMR Macroscope umbrella and carried version number 2.2.
- 1990
DMR Productivity Plus
[1]The revised Information System Delivery Series was renamed DMR Productivity Plus and became commonly known as P+.
- 1987
Information System Delivery Series
[1]DMR issued a five-volume series covering project management, system development, system ownership, prototyping, and phase reports. The edition was later identified as version 2.0.
- 1984
First DMR information-system development guides
[1]DMR published foundational guides on project management and system development, establishing the methods later associated with Macroscope version 1.0.
Products and positioning
A comprehensive, adaptable enterprise IT and business-transformation methodology used both by Fujitsu consultants and, through licensing, by client organizations.
Enterprise strategy · 2012
Vision
The Vision domain, formerly StrategyForum, helps organizations capture, structure, document, and validate business strategy. It addresses both the substance of an organization's strategy and the way its strategy-making process operates.
Enterprise architecture · 2012
Architecture
Architecture, formerly ArchitectureLab, provides methods for defining the capabilities and enterprise structures required to support organizational strategy. Earlier versions included modeling and simulation support for representing business processes and examining their behavior.
Information-system development and maintenance · 2012
Solution
Solution, previously ProductivityCentre and earlier Productivity Plus, supports the selection, development, maintenance, operation, and ongoing evolution of information-system solutions as business needs change.
Benefits realization and portfolio management · 2012
Benefits
Benefits, formerly ResultStation, helps organizations formulate and manage programs and portfolios intended to obtain business value from technology investments and IT-enabled improvement initiatives.
Project management · 2001
Project
Project, formerly ManagementSuite, provides processes, methods, roles, and deliverables for managing projects and supporting delivery against schedule, budget, quality, and expected outcomes. Its principles are described as coherent with the project-management framework associated with the Project Management Institute's PMBOK Guide.
Brand decisions
2014
Revised the enterprise-architecture approachGeneration changeBackground
Enterprise architecture was one of the principal knowledge areas inherited from the earlier Architecture Plus and ArchitectureLab work.
Action taken
Macroscope 5.2 substantially revised the Architecture approach.
2012
Moved to simplified domains and hosted deliveryStrategyBackground
The suite had accumulated multiple component names, including StrategyForum, ArchitectureLab, ProductivityCentre, ResultStation, and ManagementSuite.
Action taken
Macroscope 5.0 introduced simpler domain names and offered hosted or service-based delivery for specific clients.
Aftermath
The methodology was presented through the Vision, Architecture, Solution, Benefits, and Project domains.
2002
Adopted the Macroscope brand under Fujitsu ConsultingStrategyBackground
DMR's consulting business was rebranded as Fujitsu Consulting, requiring the methodology suite's identity to align with the new corporate name.
Action taken
The DMR prefix was removed and the suite was marketed as Macroscope.
Aftermath
The renamed suite continued through the 4.x releases and later adopted the five-domain terminology associated with version 5.0.
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