What is Enterprise Architecture (EA) and why is it an important full guide?

What is enterprise architecture?

An enterprise architecture which we can also refer to as EA is a theoretical design or a proposal defining, analyzing, as well as implementing enterprise analysis so that business strategies can be executed in an organization. The basic purpose of the enterprise architecture framework is to know how an organization can effectively achieve its future policies and achieve desired business results.
And, therefore the companies or businesses usually focus on a process which is also known as enterprise architectural planning (EAP).

Enterprise architecture definitions:

While we fame the enterprise architecture definitions, we can refer to enterprise business architecture as an enterprise that is in the process of analyzing, designing, preparing, and also executing the enterprise examination to contrivance the needed business strategies in an organization.

The term enterprise architecture was coined by Professor Dewey Walker by using various architectural manuscripts as per the Enterprise Architecture Book of Knowledge (EABOK). And an essential role in expressing enterprise architecture as a term as well as whole concept and documents, Professor Dewey Walker was helped by his student John Zachmann.

Enterprise architecture process:

The enterprise architecture defines the enterprise architecture process as containing four points of view which are:

1. The business perspective

2. The application perspective

3. The information perspective and

4. The technology perspective.

• The business perspective: the processes and standards on the basis of which whole day-to-day business operates can be included in the term business perspective.
• The application perspective: The interactions among the processes and standards which an organization or business uses can be included in the term application perspective.
• The information perspective: The raw data (such as document files, databases, images, presentations, and spreadsheets) which an organization or business requires for its working can be included in the term information perspective or we can call it enterprise database architecture as well.
• The technology perspective: The hardware, operating systems, programming, and networking tools that an organization or business requires and needs for its working can be included in the term technology perspective.

The term can be used in a different sense by different organizations for different purposes as, in the case of enterprise information architecture may refer to the hardware and software components or also can refer to software architecture, systems architecture, etc.
Although, in a business context enterprise architecture, may denote different work that a business performs, which is clearly visible from its functioning and working.

Also Read- Infinite Banking – Overview, How It Works, Advantages and Disadvantages

Why the Enterprise Architecture is important?

• The enterprise architecture services include:
• the people
• business processes
• information and technology and
• their relationships

The enterprise architecture principles and practices are applied to Enterprise architecture that helps to guide organizations with the alignment of people, business processes, information, and technology and their relationships of the architecture domains. Where a business can perform the following functions to utilize the various aspects of an enterprise:

• alignment of Business and technology
• Steadiness in a federated landscape
• information sharing in an organization
• Return on investment
• Flexibility as well as dexterity in an organization

Enterprise architecture tools:

The two most basic tools that are used in enterprise architecture models, or while framing the enterprise architecture strategies are Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Although, there also exist some other third-party tools and software suites which are used for enterprise architecture roles and can also help you to get enterprise architecture jobs. Among which, some of the widespread options available presently in the market are:

• Orbus Software
• enterprise architecture Sparx Systems
• Software AG
• Avolution
• Mega
• Erwin
• BiZZdesign
• Planview
• SAP
• BOC Group

Enterprise architecture certifications:

There are several enterprise architecture certifications that show up your patterns of enterprise application architecture and focus more on skills like cloud and enterprise security architecture. Therefore, some of the enterprise architecture certifications are:

• TOGAF 9 Certification
• The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA)
• AWS Certified Solution Architect
• Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)
• Axelos ITIL Master certification
• Microsoft Certified Architect
• Professional Cloud Solutions Architect Certification
• Virtualization Council Master Infrastructure Architect certification
• CISSP Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)
• Dell EMC Cloud architect training and certification
• Red Hat Certified Architect
• EC Council Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA)

Also Read- Operating Cash Flow – Definition, Formula, and Examples

Enterprise architecture roles:

The report of enterprise architecture is typically sent to the CIO or other IT managers, who then analyze and process, and align them with business goals effectively and efficiently. Also, the structures and processes are also agile and durable. Further, an undergraduate degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field or you also need 10 years of approx. experience in IT or a related field to become an enterprise architecture. Some of the most commonly reported skills which are needed for an IT enterprise architect include:

• Java and J2EE
• Service-oriented architecture (SOA)
• Enterprise application integration
• Cloud computing
• Software and systems architecture
• Enterprise solutions
• Strategy development
• IT and project management

Enterprise architecture models:

The enterprise architecture framework has several business units in the entire organization. Thus, the four leading EA methodologies are:

1. TOGAF (The Open Group Architectural Framework)

2. Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture

3. FEAF (Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework)

4. Gartner

• TOGAF (The Open Group Architectural Framework): It is the most popular approach to EA, which can be achieved by designing, planning, executing, where several tools, practices, software, and also compliance methods are available too.
• Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture: There exist six architectural points which are covered in Zachman Framework defining the six primary stakeholders, which help to define as well as standardize the IT architecture components. It is basically named after its founder, which is a popular method of EA. And is also called “taxonomy” that defines the IT components and outputs.
• FEAF (Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework): Although, FEAF was designed for the US government, but also be used in private companies. It was introduced in 1996 for IT effectiveness.
• Gartner: EA into the general consulting practices was adopted by Gartner in 2005. Though it is not an individual framework, and the target of this framework is to accomplish business consequences in a few plain phases.

Benefits of enterprise architecture:

Some of the common benefits of enterprise architecture are as:

• It improves the decision-making process.
• The adaptability is also improved to suit the demands of market conditions.
• There is a proper use of organizational assets.
• The inefficient and redundant processes are eliminated.
• Employee turnover is also minimized.
• To evaluate architecture in contradiction of the long-term goals.
• The unification of processes in IT is also helpful in enterprise architecture.
• Project management collaboration is also available.

Also Read- Solow Growth Model – Overview, Assumptions, and How to Solve

Conclusion:

The basic purpose of the enterprise architecture framework is to know how an organization can effectively achieve its future policies and achieve desired business results. And, therefore the companies or businesses usually adapt the process of enterprise architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What do you mean by EA in architecture?

We can refer to enterprise business architecture as an enterprise that is in the process of analyzing, designing, preparing, and also executing the enterprise examination to contrivance the needed business strategies in an organization.

• What is Enterprise Architecture Why is it important?

An enterprise architecture which we can also refer to as EA is a theoretical design or a proposal defining, analyzing, as well as implementing enterprise analysis so that business strategies can be executed in an organization. The basic purpose of the enterprise architecture framework is to know how an organization can effectively achieve its future policies and achieve desired business results.

• What are the four components of EA?

Analysis, design, planning, and implementation are the four components of EA.

• What are the five areas of enterprise architecture?

The five areas of enterprise architecture are:

• Organizational Architecture
• Business Architecture
• Information Architecture
• Application Architecture
• Technological Architecture