Case Study: A Business Driven Approach to Enterprise Architecture Framework Selection


How to select an enterprise architecture framework aligned with business strategy? Read On!


Enterprise Architecture is important for managing and deploying information systems strategically. It provides a framework for understanding an organization's current state and its desired future state. Enterprise architecture can also help identify gaps in an organization's capabilities and recommend solutions that can close those gaps.

An EA framework elaborates what should be included in architectural documents and provides instructions on how to operationalize EA. Additionally, frameworks offer a structure which can help present data into domains, layers, or views. They also provide models (typically matrices and diagrams) for documenting views for stakeholders.

The benefits of having an EA program are that it will produce documentation, resource alignment, standardized policies, decision support, and resource oversight. However, because different frameworks offer different functionalities and benefits, not all EA programs are created equal.

There are many enterprise architecture frameworks to choose from and it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for your organization. However, it is important to select a framework that is guided by the organization’s business requirements and helps architects align the business with IT strategy and growth.

Selecting the right enterprise architecture framework is essential for success with enterprise architecture. The wrong framework can doom a project from the start, while the right one can provide the structure and guidance needed to make informed decisions and keep projects on track.

An organization's ability to identify and distinguish different EA frameworks is crucial because it can help them choose the right one for their needs. Additionally, understanding how these frameworks aim to build different types of EA programs can provide insight into what outcomes an organization might expect from using an EA framework.

There are at least seven major enterprise architecture frameworks. Which one is the best for your organization? The answer to this question lies in the role of enterprise architecture. At its core, enterprise architecture is the bridge between business strategy and implementation. Capturing business vision and objectives is as important to enterprise architecture planning as blueprinting applications and infrastructure. Now, you have the starting point for the selection of the right enterprise architecture framework for you! What are the other evaluation criteria?

Here is an excellent discussion on the evaluation and selection of an enterprise architecture framework. CIOs will learn the evaluation criteria, why they were picked, and how to apply them to the seven top enterprise architecture frameworks. (70+ pages)

This guide to enterprise architecture framework selection will help you understand:

  • What is an enterprise architecture framework?
  • Why is a framework critical to enterprise architecture implementation?
  • What are the top seven enterprise architecture frameworks?
  • What are the evaluation criteria for enterprise architecture frameworks?
  • How to apply these criteria to select the right enterprise architecture framework for a real world organization?

The real value of this discussion is on the connection it makes between enterprise architecture and business strategy. MUST Read!




This Case Study: A Business Driven Approach to Enterprise Architecture Framework Selection has been accessed 3 times.
Must Login To Download


Signup for Thought Leader

Get the latest IT management thought leadership delivered to your mailbox.

Mailchimp Signup (Short)

Join The Largest Global Network of CIOs!

Over 75,000 of your peers have begun their journey to CIO 3.0 Are you ready to start yours?
Mailchimp Signup (Short)