Components of Enterprise Architecture

When an enterprise architecture project is launched, according to some strategic imperative, the first consideration in architecting the enterprise is the framework that will be used as a basis for enterprise architecture. Giachetti (2009) distinguishes between the concepts of architectural frameworks, reference architectures and enterprise architectures as follows:

• · An architectural framework describes how enterprise architecture should be developed and what the contents would be
• · Reference architectures are generic architectures that may be used as a basis for establishing enterprise architecture
• · Enterprise architecture is a specific tailored, or developed, architecture that describes a specific enterprise

Many enterprise architecture frameworks exists (as explained in previous posts) and most frameworks will contain varied descriptions focusing on aspects like strategy, architecture, business architecture, information architecture, information systems architecture (including application architecture and data architecture) and technology architecture (http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/; Cardwell, 2008, Coetzee, 2004). Depending on the architecture framework selected, different architecture layers should be considered in the process of establishing the enterprise architecture.

According to Giachetti (2009), the end goal of enterprise architecture is to develop enterprise architecture components, or artefacts useful to the enterprise. He elaborates that the enterprise architecture will contain the following:

• · Models – these would be models that describe the enterprise on various levels, from organizational structure, to information, to process descriptions.
• · Architectural principles – principles serving as the foundation for establishing the architecture. TOGAF 9 refers to architectural principles as the general rules and guidelines for architecture implementation, use and management.
• · Standards – standards would describe the skills, business, data and technology standards

Giachetti (2009) states that enterprise architecture should show how all systems (business and technology) work together to deliver enterprise value. Ultimately, enterprise architecture should improve the business.

References:

Cardwell, G. (2008), The Influence of Enterprise Architecture and Process Hierarchies on Company Success, Total Quality Management, 19(1-2):47-55

Coetzee C.F. (2004), Business Analysis Concepts, Lecture

Giachetti R.E. (2009), Design for the Entire Business, Industrial Engineer, 41(6):39-43

TOGAF 9, Available from http://www.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf9-doc/arch/, (accessed 20 September 2009)