The Enterprise Architecture

Repository and Support Tools

Course Overview
Chapter 12 describes the role of an on-line EA repository and
support tools in the EA program and the documentation of EA
components.
The design and structure of an EA repository is discussed, and the
relationship to an underlying EA documentation framework. The
example of the EA³ Cube Framework and the Living Enterprise™
repository design is used in this discussion.
Additionally, different types of EA documentation and support tools
are discussed in the context of developing EA component
documentation and populating the on-line EA repository.
Course Objective
• Understand the role of an on-line EA repository in the EA program.
• Understand how the EA repository supports documentation of EA
components.
• Understand how the design of the EA repository relates to an EA
framework.
• Understand the role of EA support tools in documenting EA
components.
Course Contents
• Introduction
• Relating the EA Framework and Repository
• EA Repository
• Strategic Goals and Initiatives Column
• Business Products and Services Column
• Data and Information Column
• Systems and Applications Column
• Networks and Infrastructure Column
• Security Solution Column
• Tabular Information
• EA Support Tools
Introduction … (1)
• The EA repository is intended to provide a single place for the
storage and retrieval of EA artifacts that are created using EA
software applications (tools).
• A repository works best if it is easy to access and use (web-based
EA repository is recommended)
• This type of web “portal” for EA should be located on the
enterprise’s internal Local Area Network to promote security of
the information while still supporting access by executives,
managers, and support staff
Relating the EA Framework and
Repository …(1)
Relating the EA …(2)
• The approach to the design of the example EA repository (and the
underlying EA³ Cube Framework) provided in previous figure is
based on the work of John Zachman
• It is a very intuitive schema for visually organizing EA information.
• He did this by using hierarchical rows and functional columns to
create cells that contain “primitive” EA artifacts which answer basic
questions about information systems (who, what, why, where,
when, and how)
EA Repository …(1)
• It is based on a separate meta-framework (the EA³ Framework)
• It uses three hierarchical levels
• The functional columns are not based on basic interrogative
questions
• The cells of the matrix are changeable and are often populated with
EA documentation that represents composite views of several
types of primitive products
• It has areas for additional information on the EA program
• It is designed to be implemented as a website and therefore has
navigation and version control features.
• This EA repository is linked to EA software tools and a database to
store EA data and artifacts.
EA Repository …(2)
• Example EA Repository Design – Living Enterprise
Strategic Goals and Initiatives
Column
• Mission and Vision Cell
• Goals and Initiatives Cell
• Performance Measures Cell
Business Products and Services
Column
• Lines of Business Cell
• Investment Portfolio Cell
• IT Projects Cell
Data and Information Column

• Knowledge Management Cell

• Data Flows Cell
• Data Dictionary Cell
Systems and Applications Column

• Support Services Cell

• Front Office Systems Cell
• Back Office Systems Cell
Networks and Infrastructure
Column
• Common Operating Environment Cell
• Wide Area Network Cell
• Local Area Network Cell
Security Solution Column

• Policy and Procedures Cell

• Data Privacy Cell
• Data Privacy Cell
Tabular Information

• EA Management Plan Tab

• Future EA Summary Tab
• EA Standards Tab
• EA Program Tab
• EA Tutorial Tab
• EA Site Map
 EA Support Tools

• Various types of commercial software applications (tools) are

required to support EA documentation and analysis activities
• At present, no one commercial tool can do all of the things
that are needed in the EA program
• Because no one EA tool can do all that is required in the EA
program, a “set” of tools is required (ex : modeling tool, a
graphics tool, a word processing tool, a website development
tool, a configuration management tool )
• And any application development and programming tools
that the enterprise needs to create or modify EA components
EA Tools …(1)
EA Tools …(2)

• The Relationship and Purpose of EA Documentation Tools

EA Framework Modeling Tools
• These software tools are designed to use various EA
frameworks that are pre-loaded and support various
methodologies to develop EA artifacts throughout the
chosen framework
• These tools also support the conversion of EA artifacts into
HTML and XML formats for increased utilization with
websites and other tools
EA Repository Web-Application

• Provides a user-friendly graphical front end to support

easy access to, and navigation of EA Artifacts in a way that
relates to the chosen EA framework
• Provides interfaces with a back-end database that stores
the EA artifacts
• The database might be integral to the EA repository web
application, or might be a separate database software
application (e.g., when more robust storageis required).
Web Service Development Tools

• These software tools provide the capability to create a

web-based EA repository that links to other web services
and web sites.
• The development of a web-based EA repository is
essential to providing easy access to the entire enterprise
via a protected Intranet web site.
• Many EA modelling tools have web-based front ends
(application interfaces) and can create EAartifacts in
HTML.
• This allows the EA modeling tool to be directly accessed
through the EA repository website.
General Graphics Tools

• These software tools support general graphics design

requirements and the custom creation of management
views of EA artifacts.
• The development of briefings, HMTL pages, enterprise
charts, and simple flowcharts are examples of these types
of products.
Strategy Modeling Tools
• These software tools support the development and
modeling of EA components at the Strategic Initiatives
level of the EA³ Cube Framework.
• The resulting EA artifacts include the enterprise’s strategic
goals, supporting initiatives (programs and projects), and
performance measures for the outputs and outcomes of
each initiative
• The Balanced Scorecard methodology is a popular pproach
to developing these EA Artifacts and several commercial
tools support this methodology, including overall EA
Framework modeling tools and specific strategic planning
tools
Business Modeling Tools
• These software tools support the development and
modeling of EA components and the Business services
level of the EA³ Cube Framework.
• The resulting EA artifacts include the processes and
supply chains in each of the enterprise’s LOBs. Business
Process Reengineering (BPR) and Business Process
Improvement (BPI) activities can also be documented
Information Modeling Tools
• These software tools support the development and modeling
of EA components at the Information Level of the EA³ Cube
Framework.
• The resulting EA artifacts include the logical and physical
design for knowledge warehouses, data marts, databases,
web sites, web portals, and data mining products.
• Also documented is the structure and processing of basic
data elements using traditional or object-oriented modeling
tools, along with the data dictionaries and object libraries
that store these products.
Application Modeling Tools

• These software tools support the development and

modeling of applications that support general operational
and administrative processes and office automation
capabilities throughout the enterprise that are not specific
to a LOB
• This includes financial systems, personnel and pay systems
, e-mail, and applications that support collaboration, word
processing, graphics, and spreadsheets
• The resulting EA artifacts include the specifications for
application capabilities, interfaces, standards, license
inventories, and required support platforms
Network Modeling Tools

• These software tools support the development and

modeling of the enterprise’s internal and external voice,
data and video networks, as well as associated backbone
cable plants, network operations centers, server rooms,
and wiring closets
• The resulting EA artifacts include the logical and physical
design of the networks, performance specifications,
interface points, standards, and inventories
Security Analysis and Modeling
Tools
• These software tools support the development and
modeling of security processes, considerations, and
capabilities at all levels of the EA³ Cube Framework
• The resulting EA artifacts held to develop and model
physical security, operational security, personnel
security, and information security requirements and
solutions as they relate to business services, information
flows, support applications, and network infrastructures
Linked Software Applications

• These software applications support other IT governance

processes that integrate with the EA program
• This includes capital planning, program management, and
workforce planning
• Being able to easily assess and relate information in these
other areas of governance is essential to using EA
documentation to improve communication and decision-
making regarding the use of EA components in improving
mission and/or Line of Business Performance
EA Tool Evaluation Matrix
Summary
• This chapter provided a discussion of the role of an EA
repository and documentation tools in the EA program
• The importance of developing a web-based EA repository
was stressed in that it provides easy access to EA artifacts
which can assist planning and decision-making throughout
the enterprise
• The various types of EA-related software tools were
discussed as was the idea that a set of tools are needed to
support the overall EA management program and
documentation process
• EA tool selection criteria were also provided.
Question & Answers