How to evaluate and select an EA framework that meets your requirements? Read On!
An Enterprise Architecture (EA) framework provides a foundation upon which effective enterprise architecture capability is built; one that generates sustainable business value. EA Frameworks help determine what should be included in architectural documents and how best to operationalize EA. Consequently, EA frameworks are important tools for any organization.
Using an EA framework is akin to pouring concrete - it is not easy to abandon it and go on to another one. So, CIOs must take care evaluating and selecting an EA Framework that is “right” for their requirements.
With a plethora of great EA Frameworks to choose from, this is easier said than done. The decision to choose an enterprise architecture framework should be based on your requirements - the primary drivers being the type of organization and the direction it wishes to go.
Thankfully, there is no shortage of literature on the subject. However, much of this literature is presumptive in nature. That is, it assumes that the EA frameworks in the market are actually based upon best practices with valid reference models. Has this been proven? In fact, many companies have found that the popular frameworks for EA do not meet their needs; disaster stories abound.
For this reason, it is important to question these frameworks and to determine whether or not they are actually beneficial to an organization.
In order to help navigate the sea of EA frameworks, multiple analyses have been conducted that compare and contrast different frameworks. While these studies provide valuable insights, they suffer from a few limitations. First, the focus and theoretical foundation of these comparisons vary greatly. Then, the criteria used to assess different frameworks are often arbitrary and not theoretically justified. Additionally, these studies tend to analyze the features of each framework without taking into account how they will be used in practice.
There has been much debate over the years as to whether or not different EA frameworks actually differ and to what degree; comparison studies are inconclusive. As a result, it's difficult to say with certainty whether or not the variations between EA frameworks represent real differences in terms of type and degree. Managers need to be aware of this ambiguity before implementing an EA framework in their organization, as doing so could lead to wasted time and effort.
All the above notwithstanding, the CIO has a decision to make: which EA framework should your organization use?
In this in-depth paper, the author examines how various organizations can use different enterprise architecture frameworks in order to build different types of EA programs. By reviewing the literature and analyzing eight popular EA frameworks, the author identified three ideal types of EA programs. Each of these types illustrate how EA practices have evolved over time and how certain elements within an EA program can lead to specific outcomes. The author uses EA essential elements to systematically distinguish the EA frameworks and interpret the meaning of the differences. This information can be beneficial for organizations that are looking to implement an EA program, as it can help them choose the right framework for their needs.
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