Certified Enterprise Architect Professional (CEAP) - Module 1 - Introduction to Enterprise Architecture

Introduction to Enterprise Architecture:

Enterprise:

 An enterprise is a large-scale organization engaged in commercial activities, often involving a complex network of operations, departments, and divisions.

Example: Corporates, components of corporations, and government agencies.

Architecture:

Architecture refers to the central organisation of a  system, the incorporation of its elements, the association of such elements with each other and the environment, and the principles leading the system’s design and development.

Enterprise Architecture (EA):

EA serves as a blueprint for the organisation's IT infrastructure and business processes, enabling alignment between business strategies and IT capabilities.

A strategic approach to architecture that addresses an entire enterprise to address below:

1. Alignment of IT with Business Goals

2. Integration and Standardization

3. Risk Management

4. Change Management

5. IT Governance

6. Business Agility

7. Response to change

8. Reliability

9. Security

10. Continuous Improvement of process

Components of EA:

Business Architecture: Defines the organisation's business strategy, goals, processes, and organisational structure. It identifies key business functions, capabilities, and workflows necessary to achieve strategic objectives.

Information Architecture: Focuses on managing the organisation's data assets, including databases, data warehouses, and data flows. It ensures that data is accurate, consistent, secure, and accessible to support business operations and decision-making.

Application Architecture: Deals with the design and integration of software applications within the organisation. It includes selecting appropriate software solutions, defining standards for development and integration, and managing application portfolios.

Technology Architecture: Encompasses the hardware, software, networking, and infrastructure components that support the organisation's IT environment. It involves designing scalable and resilient technology platforms, defining technical standards, and ensuring interoperability among different systems.

Enterprise Architecture Frameworks

Several frameworks exist to guide the development and implementation of Enterprise Architecture, such as TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework), Zachman Framework, and Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF). These frameworks provide methodologies, best practices, and standardised approaches for creating and managing EA artifacts.