Enterprise architecture, in a business context, may have organizations distinguish their enterprise architecture from the technical architecture required to build and run applications. Working from within an enterprise architecture framework will help define this.

What is Enterprise Architecture (EA)?

An enterprise architecture (EA) is a conceptual blueprint for defining an organization's structure and operations. The purpose of enterprise architecture is to establish how a company may efficiently fulfill its present and future goals. Enterprise architecture is the discipline of assessing, planning, creating, and ultimately applying analysis on an enterprise.

Enterprise architecture (EA) supports digital transformation by integrating old applications and processes to create a seamless environment. The usage of EA frameworks increased in reaction to advances in business technologies throughout the 1980s, when a means of responding to fast technological innovation was critical to company strategy. The approach was then broadened to include the whole organization, not just IT. This ensures that the rest of the company is in line with digital transformation.

Enterprise architectural concepts are varied, thus each company will have a unique appearance. Different elements of an organization may see EA differently. For example, programmers and other technical IT workers see enterprise architectural plans in terms of the infrastructure, application, and management components that they handle. However, enterprise architects are still responsible for conducting business structure analyses.

The significance of business architecture.

Enterprise architecture will assist a company's many divisions in understanding the overall business model and articulating issues and dangers. As a result, enterprise architecture plays a vital role in integrating and coordinating departmental activities across a business. Understanding business capabilities may help people detect holes in their company and make educated choices.

The aim of enterprise architecture

The primary aims of enterprise architecture may include creating a map or blueprint of an organization's structure and activities. The plan should contain a map of IT assets and business processes.

Other common aims include improving team alignment and uniformity. This may be accomplished in part by bringing together settings across teams and organizations. Guidance is often based on an organization's business needs.

The Enterprise Architecture Process

Microsoft's Michael Platt, a director in the strategic projects division, defines enterprise architecture as having four perspectives: business, application, information, and technology. The business viewpoint specifies the methods and standards that guide the company's day-to-day operations. The application viewpoint explains how the organization's procedures and standards interact with one another. The information viewpoint describes and categorizes the raw data (document files, databases, graphics, presentations, and spreadsheets) that the organization needs to function effectively. The technical viewpoint describes the organization's hardware, operating systems, programming, and networking tools.

Enterprise architecture models and approaches.

Enterprise architectures are generally developed using frameworks. There are several frameworks available, and some will function better for any given company than others. For example, a framework that focuses on consistency and linkages between diverse aspects of an overall company would be more beneficial to bigger firms with numerous moving pieces than to small ones. A framework such as the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) might be useful in this situation.

Benefits of Enterprise Architecture

Potential benefits of having an enterprise architecture include:

  • Benefits include improved decision-making and flexibility to changing market circumstances.
  • Eliminating wasteful and unnecessary procedures;
  • Optimal utilization of organizational assets;
  • Minimizing employee turnover;
  • Support organizational changes for redesign and restructuring.