Enterprise Architecture Framework - Overview

Overview

The three components of the enterprise architecture framework are:

• Views : provide the mechanisms for communicating information about the relationships that are important in the architecture
• Methods : provide the discipline to gather and organize the data and construct the views in a way that helps ensure integrity, accuracy and completeness
• Training/Experience : support the application of method and use of tools

Because the discipline of enterprise engineering and enterprise architecture is so broad, and because enterprises can be large and complex, the models associated with the discipline also tend to be large and complex. To manage this scale and complexity, an architecture framework provides tools and methods that can bring the task into focus and allow valuable artifact to be produced when they are most needed.

Architecture frameworks are commonly used in IT and information system governance. An organization may wish to mandate that certain models be produced before a system design can be approved. Similarly, they may wish to specify certain views be used in the documentation of procured systems – the U.S. Department of Defense stipulates that specific DoDAF views be provided by equipment suppliers for capital project above a certain value. This discussion is focused for theorical teams who will develop tools and empirical methods of quality achievements.