Enterprise Architecture Essay

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1. “Enterprise Architecture” is a term that applies to both a program and a deliverable/output. A company may have an Enterprise Architecture team that is responsible for creating an enterprise architecture. Considering everything you have read, discussed, and learned in this program, (a) describe the ‘Enterprise Architecture’ discipline or program, (2) describe the ‘enterprise architecture’ deliverable/output.

A) Enterprise Architecture defines the operations and structure of an organization. It provides a roadmap for how to transition an organization from its current state to future goals. EA has mechanisms in place to make sure that the IT deliverables align with the business requirements.

There are four main perspectives of EA – Business, application, information and technology .

Business – Describe all the processes and internal operations of the business on a daily basis.

Application – Describes how the organizations processes and standards all fit together.

Information – Documents all the data sources used by the organization, i.e. files, databases, spreadsheets, etc...

Technology – Defines all software, OS’s, servers, networking and hardware used in the organization.

EA is really about continuous communications between the business and IT on architectural choices, processes, and structure. It is an enterprise-wide view across business processes, applications and information technology. EA is enhanced when it’s baked into the organizations lifecycle. This includes project management, capital planning, strategic planning, and resource allocation.

B) The deliverables of EA will likely vary by organization. It depends on what framework the organization has chosen to use. For example the Zachman frame...

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...ability, thereby allowing the business to more easily adjust to market conditions and other demands. EA also helps eliminate inefficient and redundant processes and to optimize and streamline current processes. The overall impact may be a reduction of employee turnover and cost savings with a more efficient well run enterprise.
IT experiences many benefits as well. Some of these benefits are that goals and objectives are more clearly stated, less rework occurs because of better communication and oversight. EA allows IT to deliver projects more rapidly, because constant business alignment ensures they are staying on track. EA also frees IT personnel to work on operation specific projects and innovations. More efficiency may encourage more innovation in the IT department and strengthen the technology infrastructure that can deliver cost effective results.

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