I have in the past reviewed and used various different Enterprise Architecture repositories. Most of these have been proprietary, the main one being ARIS, although it does support architecture models such as TOGAF, eTOM, ITIL, PMP etc. Most EA tools and Methodologies are built on a common structure. For instance the Essential Project, which is an Open Source repository, http://www.enterprise-architecture.org/ structure comprises:
- Business Layer
- Business Conceptual
- Business Logical
- Business Physical
- Application Layer
- Application Conceptual
- Application Logical
- Application Physical
- Information Layer
- Information Conceptual
- Information Logical
- Information Physical
- Technology Layer
- Technology Conceptual
- Technology Logical
- Technology Physical
- Enterprise Architecture Support
- Strategy Management
- Change Management
- Standards Management
- Governance
- Risk Management
- Security Management
- Service Delivery
- Obligation Management
- Performance Management
- Legal Management
- Cost Management
- Lifecycle Management
- Taxonomy Management
- Utilities
- Report Management (Essential Viewer)
- EA Repository Management
- External Integration
For each of the second level components there are number of sub-components that are supported by a number of structured data entry forms. Some of the forms support graphical input and provide drop down fields for consistent representation. This is important for creating a baseline and analysis for future improvements. If I compare this to other systems both proprietary from major Consulting Companies and TOGAF there is very little difference in the scope of what is covered. However the Essential Project also comprises of a Repository Tool built on Protege and provides a Reporting Tool - Essential Viewer.
If we compare the Essential Project to TOGAF they are similar they are very similar in their structure (see below):
What is more important is that the development of a Business Process Improvement Programme is structured as multiple integrated projects with responsibilities defined as shown below. Many of the projects I have been involved with have been driven by IT with Business Units having very little involvement.
