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Enterprise Architecture framework (EA framework) and their Components

Enterprise Architecture framework (EA framework) and their Components

An Enterprise Architecture framework (EA framework) provides a collection of best practices, standards, tools, processes, and templates to assist in the creation of the Enterprise Architecture and architectures of various scopes. The Oracle Enterprise Architecture framework (OEA framework) and their Components for better understand. The previous business framework of Enterprise Architecture Components is very helpful for making a new company framework architecture. Also, EA is the process of translating business goals and strategy into practical enterprise change by building, communicating, and optimizing the key requirements, rules, and models that describe the desired state of the enterprise and facilitate its change and evolution.

Enterprise Architecture framework (EA framework) and with their Components deeply understand.

There are many Enterprise Architecture frameworks, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Some focus on modeling existing architecture, others focus on finding solutions to business problems. Also, Enterprise Architecture frameworks provide a common terminology and generic concepts that make it easy for stakeholders to communicate without taken into consideration various languages.

India Enterprise Architecture Framework (PDF) by Dr. Pallab Saha (Chief Architect, The Open Group). As well as, They have been adopted by many organizations government agencies for operational use. Two often-cited architectural frameworks that are commonly considered a founding framework are The Open Group Architectural Framework (TOGAF), and The Zachman Framework.

Types of Enterprise Architecture framework:

We codify the basics of enterprise architecture in these four major framework systems. Each of them has strengths and weaknesses. Each of these systems has been in use for over a decade at the least. They each have a long and storied history. As well, each of them takes decades and decades of information structure and put it to use. They are Four Types;

The Zachman Framework:

This Framework uses the method of taxonomy to organize a massive variety of documents and materials into categories that suit them. Also, The Zachman Framework goes beyond IT. It offers structural connections into any aspect of an enterprise. The basis of the Framework focuses on six descriptive foci and six-player perspectives. As well as, The foci are data, function, network, people, time, and motivation. The perspectives are planner, owner, designer, builder, subcontractor, and enterprise.

It is a framework that shows the interconnected relationship within an enterprise. It was published in 1987 by John Zachman. Also, The framework is based on architecture and engineering principles. The framework represents two dimensions, the first dimension concerns the different perspectives of people involved in the architecture process which are: Planner, Owner, Designer, Builder, Subcontractor, and User.

The second dimension deals with the basic questions: what, how, where, who, when, and why. Also, Zachman’s framework presents a comprehensive view of the actual processes of an enterprise which guides decision making, IT resources, and architecture principles. However, it does not provide an avenue for practical application of the framework as much guidance for planning, implementation, and maintenance of the architecture.

The interconnective web that these twelve total points create gives you a structure that communicates how best your company can operate. When you understand why each point can connect and relate to each other, you discover a powerful facet of your business. This can help guide proper decisions on your business. Keep in mind that these details are broad, and refining them can only give a more concentrated web of information.

The Open Group Architectural Framework (TOGAF):

The Open Group Architectural Framework or TOGAF is one of the most common framework structures in business today. Also, TOGAF accounts for over 80 percent of the entire business framework structure. It contains all the needed pieces for a powerful framework. It has a common vocabulary to use, recommended standards and compliance methods, suggested software and tools, and even a method to define best practices.

TOGAF was developed based on the Department of Defence’s Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management in 1995. Also, The framework provides rules for governance, designing, developing, and implementing an EA. Its main components are the architecture capability framework, Architecture Development Method (ADM), Architecture Content Framework, and Enterprise Continuum. As well as, The important part of TOGAF is the ADM which specifies the process of developing the architecture. However, it does not provide a set of architectural principles.

Created and owned by The Open Group, TOGAF is as much an engine as a framework. It holds the steps and keys to creating independent architecture. This method of creation is the Architectural Development Method or ADM. Also, TOGAF is often viewed as more an overarching process. The details and methods contained within TOGAF help guide businesses through any step of business organization.

Federal Enterprise Architectural Framework:

Also, The Federal Enterprise Architectural or FEA is one of the newest attempts to create a solid structure for organizations. The US Federal Government developed it in 2006. It helps organize the myriad of different agencies and organizations under its control. Its predecessor, the FEAF (Federal Enterprise Architectural Framework), started in 1996.

The FEA combines the best of both the Zachman Framework and TOGAF. Also, The FEA has five reference models. They cover business, service, components, technical, and data. These five points combine with a segment model to create a perspective on how best to install enterprise architecture.

The segment model at its core allows a distinction of any number of organizations and connections. Also, FEA was the foundation for a massive restructuring of a high-end government. As such, the framework is a strong core to follow when building a strong foundation for a future company.

Gartner Methodology framework:

The last type, Gartner, differs from the previous three. It does not conform to the structures of frameworks, taxonomy, or models. As well as, Created by the company of the same name, Gartner is a practice that focuses on a constant state of adapting to the environment around you.

Gartner is one of the leading IT research businesses in the entire world. They contain some of the best minds on the subject of IT. As such, they have a long-running history of smooth communication among all of its experts. Also, Gartner’s focus and strength come from its ability to focus a thousand different moving parts into a singular goal and vision.

Gartner implements the idea of combining business owners, information specialists, and technology implementors into a single unified entity. Instead of creating webs of framework or a singular process, Gartner relies on a constant recorrection that allows the three core entities to tackle any oncoming problem.

Components of enterprise architecture framework (EA framework):

In addition to the three major framework components discussed above.

  1. Description advice: some kind of Architecture Artifacts Map or Viewpoint Library
  2. Process advice: some kind of Architecture Development Method, with supporting guidance.
  3. Organization advice: including an EA Governance Model

An ideal EA framework should feature:

  • Business value measurement metrics.
  • EA initiative model.
  • EA maturity model, and.
  • Enterprise communication model.

Most modern EA frameworks (e.g. TOGAF, ASSIMPLER, EAF) include most of the above. Zachman has always focused on architecture description advice.

Enterprise Architecture frameworks typically include:

  • Common vocabulary, models, and taxonomy.
  • Processes, principles, strategies, and tools.
  • Reference architectures and models.
  • Prescriptive guidance (EA processes, architecture content, implementation roadmap, governance).
  • Catalog of architecture deliverables and artifacts.
  • Enterprise Architecture Content Metamodel, and.
  • Recommended a set of products and configurations (optional).

Utilizing an Enterprise Architecture framework streamlines the process for creating and maintaining architectures at all levels (e.g. enterprise architectures, functional business segment architectures, cross-cutting technology domain architectures, and solution architectures) and enables an organization to leverage the value of architecture best practices.

Several EA frameworks exist in the industry intending to address the basic challenge of assessing, aligning, and organizing business objectives with technical requirements and strategies. Examples include the Zachman Enterprise Framework, The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), OMB Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA), and The Gartner Methodology (formerly the Meta Framework).

Each framework possesses different strengths and weaknesses, which makes it difficult to find anyone existing framework that is ideal for all situations.

Enterprise Architecture framework (EA framework) and their Components
Enterprise Architecture framework (EA framework) and their Components; Photo #Pixabay.

Components of Enterprise Architecture (EA):

Enterprise Architecture is all about the elements that make up an enterprise and how these elements inter-relate. Also, Enterprise Architecture frameworks contain a list of recommended standards and compliant products for designing information systems in terms of a set of building blocks and how these building blocks relate together. It supports the integration of the business, system, and technology architectures while aligning business and IT strategy.

The four architectural disciplines based on a hierarchical, multi-level systems theory approach that is commonly accepted as subsets of the overall enterprise architecture:

  1. Business Architecture: it represents the fundamental structure of an organization from the business strategy viewpoint such as goal systems, governance, key business process, and organization.
  2. Application Architecture: it represents the fundamental structure of an enterprise that provides a blueprint of the individual application system to be deployed, their interaction with the core business process.
  3. Data (Information) Architecture: it represents the fundamental structure of the logical and physical data assets of the organization and its data management resources.
  4. Technology Architecture: it represents the fundamental structure of an enterprise that describes the hardware platforms and software infrastructure that support the applications.

Often used to denote the compound set of applications, information, and technology architectures are IT architecture. Also, IT architecture is defined as the organizing logic for data, applications, and infrastructure, captured in a set of policies, relationships, and technical choices to achieve desired business and technical standardization and integration. Thus, representing the business and IT structure of an enterprise is EA.

Nageshwar Das

Nageshwar Das

Nageshwar Das, BBA graduation with Finance and Marketing specialization, and CEO, Web Developer, & Admin in ilearnlot.com.

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