Enterprise Architecture Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main dilemma organizations face when dealing with best practices?

Determining employee training needs related to best practices.

Identifying the cost-saving benefits of best practices.

Choosing which best practices to adopt due to their resource intensity. (correct)

Understanding the advanced technologies required for implementation.

In an Enterprise Architecture (EA) context, what role does the 'Governance' element play?

It provides a set of technological tools for deployment.

It outlines the regulatory compliance standards.

It identifies the planning and decision-making processes for EA development. (correct)

It assesses the financial implications of the EA framework.

What does an effective 'Methodology' provide in the context of Enterprise Architecture?

A framework for assessing organizational performance.

Guidelines for employee skill assessment and enhancement.

Specific steps for establishing and maintaining the EA program. (correct)

A list of technological innovations available for integration.

How does an EA framework differentiate itself from other frameworks?

By integrating strategy, business, and technology planning. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does using EA as an authoritative reference have on organizations?

It creates a clear standard for all best practices adoption. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the 'battle of the best practices' mentioned in the context?

Confusion regarding the overlaps and contradictions in practices. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential for the six core elements of an EA to work synergistically?

To ensure a cohesive and comprehensive EA approach. Signup and view all the answers

What may organizations experience without a clear EA framework?

Increased chaos in the implementation of best practices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of EA in the context of strategic alignment?

To ensure that development projects align with enterprise strategic goals Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT supported by EA in implementing standardized management policy?

Creating individualized policies for different departments Signup and view all the answers

How does EA contribute to effective resource management?

Through a hierarchical view of current and future resources Signup and view all the answers

Which type of documents are considered part of EA policies?

High-level directives, program guidance, and detailed process documents Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome if a project's resources are not aligned with the enterprise's strategic goals?

The value of the resource or project may become questionable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of performance metrics in EA?

They are critical for assessing the success of programs and projects Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the inter-relationships of various policy areas in EA?

To ensure consistency in program implementation across the enterprise Signup and view all the answers

At what levels does EA support IT resource decision-making?

At the executive, management, and staff levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 'Artifacts' core element in enterprise architecture?

To outline the documentation for various sub-architecture areas Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT included in the 'Standards' core element of enterprise architecture?

Resource lifecycle management techniques Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Best Practices' core element of enterprise architecture emphasize?

Proven methods for implementing architecture parts Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of enterprise architecture as a management program?

To facilitate strategic alignment of goals and resources Signup and view all the answers

In which way does the EA management plan serve enterprise architecture?

It outlines the transition from current to future architecture Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with the analysis and design method of enterprise architecture?

Strategic management of human resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of identifying gaps in business activities within enterprise architecture?

To ensure alignment between IT services and business needs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary goal of the enterprise architecture's management program?

To enhance decision support capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Enterprise Architecture?

The creation of virtual organizations and capabilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the equation related to Enterprise Architecture?

EA = S + B + T Signup and view all the answers

What major perspective shift is required for effective Enterprise Architecture?

Recognizing technology as a strategic asset Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical principle does the creator of the EA framework reference to support its simplicity?

Occam's Razor Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'architecture' imply in the context of Enterprise Architecture?

A systematic framework for analysis and planning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT included in the EA equation?

Human Resources Signup and view all the answers

How should enterprises ideally approach planning according to the principles of EA?

By integrating individual systems into a cohesive strategy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a challenge faced by enterprises in implementing EA?

Overemphasizing the importance of individual technology solutions Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a vertical component from a horizontal component in enterprise architecture?

Vertical components serve one line of business while horizontal components serve several. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the 'as-is' view in the context of current architecture?

It details the EA components that are currently existing within the enterprise. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements are part of the future architecture?

New or modified EA components needed to improve performance. Signup and view all the answers

Why is an accurate current view of EA components critical for an enterprise?

It provides a baseline for identifying future technology needs. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the supporting infrastructure in the context of EA components?

It includes tangible elements such as buildings and equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What role do artifacts play in the current architecture of enterprise architecture?

They document the existing components within an EA repository. Signup and view all the answers

Emerging technologies in future architecture can drive what aspect of enterprise systems?

Modification of existing strategic and operational requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents common examples of horizontal (crosscutting) components?

Email and administrative support systems serving the entire organization. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Enterprise Architecture (EA)

A comprehensive approach to planning and managing resources within an organization, considering strategic goals, business requirements, and technology.
Emphasizes a holistic view of the entire enterprise, rather than individual systems and programs.
Represents a structured framework for analyzing, planning, and developing all resources within the organization.

EA Equation and Framework

EA is defined as the integration of Strategy + Business + Technology.
This simple equation captures the essential elements of EA, focusing on the interconnectedness of these components.
EA utilizes a "Cube" framework, which offers a multi-dimensional view of the organization.
EA focuses on designing virtual things (like organizations and their capabilities), unlike traditional architecture that focuses on physical things (e.g., buildings, infrastructure).

EA as a Discipline

EA is a meta-discipline, meaning that it acts as an overarching framework for other best practices and disciplines.
EA resolves the "battle of the best practices" by providing a context for choosing, implementing, and integrating various practices.
EA provides an authoritative reference for standards and practices, promoting consistency and avoiding conflicts.

Core Elements of an EA approach

Governance: Defines the planning, decision-making, and oversight processes for developing and maintaining EA.
Methodology: Outlines the steps for establishing and maintaining an EA program.
Framework: Identifies the scope of the overall architecture and the relationships between different sub-architecture levels.
Artifacts: Specifies the types and methods of documentation used in various sub-architecture areas, including strategic analyses, business plans, security controls, and models of workflows, databases, and systems.
Standards: Defines business and technology standards for the enterprise in different domains and components.
Best Practices: Provides proven ways to implement parts of the architecture, within the overall EA context.

EA Activities

EA involves both a management program and an analysis and design method.
These components work together to provide ongoing capabilities and insights into the enterprise's strategic direction, business services, information flows, and resource utilization.

EA as a Management Program

EA provides a strategic, integrated approach to capability and resource planning and decision-making.
It is part of the overall governance process, ensuring resource alignment, standardized policy implementation, decision support, and guidance for development activities.

Strategic Alignment

EA supports strategic planning by providing macro and micro views of how resources are leveraged to achieve the enterprise's goals.
This helps maximize resource efficiency and effectiveness, enhancing the enterprise's competitiveness.
All development projects should be reviewed to ensure alignment with the enterprise's strategic goals.

Standardized Policy

EA supports the implementation of standardized management policies related to IT and other resource utilization.
It facilitates the development of policies for:
- Identifying strategic and operational requirements
- Determining strategic alignment of activities and resources
- Developing enterprise-wide business and technology resources
- Prioritizing funding for programs and projects
- Overseeing the management of programs and projects
- Identifying performance metrics for programs and projects
- Identifying and enforcing standards and configuration management

Decision Support

EA provides support for IT resource decision-making at all levels of the enterprise, from executive to staff.
It offers comprehensive information about:
- Strategic goals and initiatives
- Business products and services
- Information flows, knowledge warehouses, and data objects
- Information systems, software applications, enterprise resource programs, and websites
- Voice, data, and video networks
- Supporting infrastructure

EA Analysis and Design

EA uses a framework and method to analyze the current architecture, identify gaps, and create a future architecture.
The current view, often called the "as-is" view, provides a baseline inventory of resources and activities.
This information is documented and archived for comparison with the future view and to support project planning, asset management, and investment decision-making.
The future architecture outlines new or modified components needed to address performance gaps or support new strategic initiatives, operational requirements, or technology solutions.
The future architecture considers new directions and goals, changing business priorities, and emerging technologies.

EA Components

Vertical components: Address the needs of a single line of business.
Horizontal (Crosscutting) components: Serve multiple lines of business.
Examples of components include strategic goals, processes, programs, resources (systems, data, equipment), infrastructure, and security controls.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of Enterprise Architecture (EA), focusing on its strategic integration of business and technology. It discusses the holistic perspective EA provides for organizational planning and the significance of the Cube framework in understanding enterprise resources.