To completely describe a manufacturing system, several models are usually created, each from a different viewpoint Traditionally, these models are created independently using different methodologies and in different environments. This approach poses many problems, for example, time-consuming, inconsistency between models. difficulties in model maintenance, difficulties in ensuring a seamless transition in the system development life cycle, etc .. To overcome t11ese problems, a comprehensive methodology tenned IDEF* has been developed for the modelling of enterprise systems. The purpose of this paper is to introduce to the readers the features and concepts of t11e met11odology.