Enterprise Architecture

Enterprise Architecture is still relatively immature from both a research and practice perspective and there is not a widespread consensus on the terminology. The terms "Enterprise Architect" and "Enterprise Architecture" are interpreted and defined in many different ways and there is no single universally accepted definition yet.

Definition of Enterprise Architecture

Enterprise Architecture refers to the architecture of an Enterprise, or better how all parts of an enterprise work together to provide the capability of an enterprise to achieve its vision. Therefore, the vision of an Enterprise can be seen as the top level architecture of an Enterprise system.

GEAO (Global Enterprise Architecture Organisation) defines Enterprise Architecture as follows:

Enterprise Architecture refers to the way in which an enterprise vision is expressed in the structure and dynamics of an Enterprise. It provides, on various architecture abstraction levels, a coherent set of models, principles, guidelines, and policies, used for the translation, alignment, and evolution of the systems that exist within the scope and context of an Enterprise.

Note: The term "system" does not necessary refer to a computer system but can also refer to an organisation, an eco-system, a management system, etc ... Or shortly, the whole ball of wax that makes up an Enterprise.

All next level architectures, business as well as IT, are part of this system. This means that Enterprise (system) Architecture covers a broad area of interest and runs through many disciplines.

Concepts and Terminology

Enterprise Architecture is driven by overall vision, the top level architecture, and works across organisational boundaries. The following framework shows an example of the levels of architecture abstraction in an Enterprise. There is only one Enterprise Architecture for an Enterprise but there may be more Solution Architectures within the scope of an Enterprise. Enterprise Architecture covers business as well as IT, but also evolution and governance, which enables an enterprise to evolve from the current state architecture towards a future state architecture.

levels of architecture abstraction in an Enterprise

The following illustration provides an example of concepts that can be mapped onto this framework.

example of concepts that can be mapped onto the framework

Multi-disciplinary

With the vision as the top level architecture of Enterprise, it may be evident that Enterprise Architecture covers a broad area of interest and runs through a lot of disciplines. This introduces many non-technical challenges and hence requires a multi-disciplinary approach to Enterprise Architecture, such as:

  • Business Strategy
  • Business politics
  • Culture
  • Sociology
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Economy
  • Consultancy
  • Information Technology
  • Sales
  • Management
  • Communication

More information on http://www.geao.org/ or at http://www.e2pm.info/