Enterprise Architecture Modeling enables both IT and Business people to build blueprints which will provide valuable insights between strategic plans and operational execution.

Just as a builder needs a building blueprint to start the construction or to renovate, every organization needs an enterprise blueprint. But many big enterprises are built or restructured without a proper blueprint in hand so the Enterprise Architects are looped in to patch this gaps later. It is evident that any organization who needs to survive the digital disruption should possess this inevitable capability to compete and grow.

EA information is scattered all over the place hence searching for particular information is nearly impossible without an EA tool in place. These hidden details will result in poor IT strategy planning.

Enterprise Architecture Modeling Components

The 4 important EA modeling components are:

a) Framework: Popular reference models like Zachman , TOGAF ,FEAF etc. are available to fast track setup Enterprise Architecture repository Setup and operations.

b) Notation: There are n numbers of notation available, but in recent time Archimate is the choice for many organizations. It offers a common language for describing the construction and operation of business processes, organizational structures, information flows, IT systems, and technical infrastructure.

c) Meta model : Core content meta model of TOGAF 9 can be a good starting point for any EA work and if you are interested in the Business Architecture then refer the Core Content Metamodel. Enterprise Business Motivation Model (EBMM), a conceptual model of Business Architecture. The EBMM was developed by Nick Malik, Enterprise Architect from Microsoft.

d) Tool: EA tool vendors like Sparx, iGrafx, IRIS, MEGA, Orbus, Casewise and so on provide Enterprise Modeling and simulation capability to support different business scenarios to provide

• Get an accurate, real-time picture of the EA landscape, including all applications, the technologies they run on and the business processes they support
• Ensure consistency and transparency of your EA landscape by using an integrated repository for business and IT
• Profit from a rich set of functionality and resources including frameworks, such as ArchiMate and TOGAF

For instance SBB in Switzerland documented the as-is state of the IT systems, which include more than 1,000 applications. Using the MEGA Suite, the EA team created a central repository of information, as well as a Web portal that is accessible throughout the company for business users.

IT Strategy Acceleration

Organization can extend EA modeling and tools capability as an extension for Application and Technology rationalization, Impact analysis and help plan new technology adaptation. EA Tools vendors iGrafx and Aris provide Add-on features like Strategy and Goal alignment, Multi-Dimensional enterprise reporting and Impact and gap analysis to help with IT strategic planning to support these requests. For instance, a large global player in the oil and gas industry used Aris Alfabet to optimize the enterprise’s investment and simplify their complex legacy of 8,000 applications. Application rationalization saved $13 million in the first year of operations.

My thoughts…

Adapting Enterprise Architecture modeling as a strategic tool will enable transparency and help build capabilities to mitigate future technology disruptions. BPM Service providers should educate their clients on how this approach can be integrated in the existing Enterprise Architecture setup and add value.

This concludes my first blog season on Enterprise Modeling from Switzerland, bt I will come back with season 2 soon on a different BPM topic next time from a different place.

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