Enterprise Architecture:

Definition, Content, and Utility

Melody A. Rood

The MITRE Corporation

Abstract 9 Performs business functions.
Has a defined organizational structure that is
Although the concept of an enterprise architecture commonly distributed in multiple locations.
(EA) has not been well &fined and agreed upon, EAs are Responds to intemal and extemal events.
being developed to support information system Has a purpose for its activities.
development and enterprise reengineering. Most EAs Provides specific services and products to its
differ in content and nature, and most are incomplete customers.
because they represent only data and process aspects of The EA, in depicting an enterprise, must reflect all of
the enterprise. these characteristics. If EA-based information systems
This paper defines an EA. Basic EA concepts are are developed to support enterprise-wide information
presented. The purpose and utility of an EA and its place needs, their designs must also address these
in the information system environment are discussed. To characteristics. Therefore, the EA should consist of a
facilitate understanding, a generic EA is provided. collection of unique, interrelated, conceptual-level
Through the generic model, each major component of an representations that describe the enterprise from
EA is defined and the component's purpose and use are perspectives that represent these characteristics.
presented. The generic EA described here will be used to
develop enterprise-specific EAs. 2.1: Concept of "architecture"
This paper emphasizes linkages between the EA and
information systems development by depicting the While there is no single commonly agreed-upon
information systems viewpoint. To delineate how an EA is definition of "architecture" in relation to enterprises or
useful in the in$ormation technology (IT) world, this paper systems, and architectures differ in style, focus, and level
shows how an EA relates to both an information systems of detail, in a broad sense, they are all alike. The central
architecture (ISA) and an information architecture (IA). idea of all architectures is to represent, or model (in the
abstract) an orderly arrangement of the components that
1: Introduction make up the system under question and the relationships
or interactions of these components.
Most enterprises have no centralized corporate-wide An enterprise architecture, therefore, shows the
mechanism tied to their strategic plans and business primary components of an enterprise and depicts how
mission, which can be used as a common basis to provide these components interact with or relate to each other. An
consistency and direction for all enterprise activities. This EA is a conceptual framework that describes how an
includes IT-related activities such as information enterprise is constructed by defining its primary
resources management (IRM), life cycle planning, and components and the relationships among these
systems or software reengineering. The EA provides this components.
centralized mechanism and is considered the backbone for An ISA, then, is a framework showing the logical
coordination of integrated development and use of shared construction of information systems with their major
information systems and data. Without the EA as a parts and connections of those parts. An IA shows the
coordination mechanism, information system and subject areas of information needed and used by an
database developments will continue in a random manner. enterprise, and may include the entities and the
The EA provides the logical structure and higher-level relationships of those entities within the subject areas.
framework upon which an ISA and IA are built. All these architectures are similar in nature, but the EA
has a broader and more encompassing focus than an ISA
2: Definition or an IA. The entire enterprise with all its parts is the
focus of the EA. The I S As main viewpoint is the
An enterprise has the following characteristics. An information systems that move, manipulate, and store
enterprise: information throughout the enterprise. The IA focuses on
Consists of people, information,and technologies. the categories of information. The following sections

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provide a generic enterprise architecture upon which an things from the external environment that impact,
enterprise-specific EA should be based. constrain, or place requirements on an enterprise.
Purpose and use. Any EA must be developed with the
2.2: Generic enterprise architecture components forces of the external environment in mind. The external
environment is a significant determinant in how an
An EA contains enterprise-specific descriptions of enterprise functions and what it produces. For example,
each of the generic components described in the sections customer demands and expectations are generally central
below and shown in Figure 1, Generic Enterprise to the form of service or product provided; such things as
Architecture. technology trends, laws, and investors often determine
An enterprise is viewed as a complex system with a the type of capabilities available to the enterprise; the rate
defined boundary and an assemblage of differentiatedbut of change in the external environment influences the
interdependent components. The enterprise as a whole enterprise's need for flexibility; and laws and regulations
moves through various cycles, and is surrounded by an place specific constraints on the functioning of the
external environment from which it gets various inputs enterprise.
and into which it provides outputs. Inputs are transformed Enterprise strategy. Definition: Enterprise strategy
by enterprise components to produce outputs in the form is the collection of decisions about what the enterprise
of products and services that are returned to the external will accomplish and how resources will be utilized to
environment. Components are elements of the enterprise accomplish the desired enterprise results.
that play a part in transforming inputs and creating Purpose and use. Enterprise strategy provides focus
outputs. Elements that do not actively participate in and direction for the enterprise and rationale for how the
formulation of products or services, such as budgets and organization's mission will be accomplished. Included are
finances, are considered common supporting resources vision, mission statement, goals, objectives, plans,
only, not components. policies, business rules, and systems of rewards,
External environment. Definition: The EA involves incentives, and sanctions. Each component of the
factors outside the enterprise boundaries that have enterprise should be designed to implement the strategy;
potential or actual impact on the enterprise. These factors all business and operational decisions should be based on
include resources, technologies, customer demands and the strategy.
expectations, competitors, laws and regulations, Corporate culture. Dejnition: The corporate culture
stakeholders, suppliers, investors, economy, politics, rates of an enterprise is the complex set of written and
of change, institutions, groups, individuals, and events. unwritten norms, values, management styles, and patterns
This list of items is not exhaustive, but representative of of behavior that affect enterprise function.

COMPONENTS
ENTERPRISE

Things that
influence the
enterprise

L
I

inputs
7
z \ YrocessesJ

transformation

Figure 1. Generic Enterprise Architecture

/
+

*-outputs
Q Results

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 Purpose and use. People's attitudes and behavior are the design of communication systems. The informal
influenced by the corporate culture and in turn influence organization can enhance or reduce the effectiveness of
the culture. Because the corporate culture specifies those the formal organization.
things of importance to the enterprise and those things the Technology. Definition: Technology is the
enterprise will not tolerate, people align their behavior equipment, machinery, methods, and tools necessary to
accordingly. People's attitudes toward their work and accomplish the tasks; it includes hardware, software, and
each other are influenced by the corporate culture. For telecommunications.
example, corporate cultures can emphasize the individual Purpose and use. The technology component is used
over the team and encourage independent work with little to identify necessary and desired machinery, tools, and
integration or sharing of information. People's equipment (including information systems) and their
willingness to accept and use new technologies is colored optimal physical arrangement to support the enterprise in
by the corporate culture. Corporate culture is shaped by fulfilling its mission in the most efficient and cost-
management decisions, policies, and procedures and can effective manner. Appropriate equipment used effectively
be employed intentionally as a positive mechanism for can increase and enhance performance, whereas poor
influencing work attitudes and productivity. equipment can hinder work. An ISA is the architecture
People. Definition: People are the human resources that describes information technology configurations for
of the enterprise with their attitudes and behavior, and the enterprise. Some of these configurations include
how they are prepared to accomplish the mission of the communications, software, and hardware architectures.
enterprise. Based on these configurations, appropriate technology
Purpose and use. The people component of the standards can be identified and/or developed to support
enterprise architecture identifies required personnel for information sharing, performance, usage, reliability, etc.
the enterprise, their expertise and skills, and helps Information. Definition: Information is the
determine where these skills are needed. Employees of an knowledge and data created or used by people, processes,
enterprise perform and coordinate tasks and make and technology.
decisions. Their effectiveness and abilities determine the Purpose and use. Information requirements are
quality of enterprise services and products. People must identified and mapped in this component to support
have the right knowledge and skills to accomplish the planning and development of automated and manual
work, favorable attitudes, motivation, and suitable information systems (to include management information
personalities for their assigned roles. Training needs are systems [MIS], real-time systems, sensor systems, etc.).
identified, and people's perceptions, group behavior, and Knowledge and data are required by people, computers,
quality of interpersonal communication can be assessed and other machines to accomplish their work. Work
and guided within the people component. People, activities create information that is used by others, and
although a type of resource, are considered a component information may be an input from the external
here (similar to technology and information) because they environment. This information mapping is captured in the
have an active, direct role in providing products and IA that is used for design of various types of information
services. Most other resources do not fall into this technologies. Necessary data standards can be identified
category. and/or developed to support information sharing, and data
Organizational structure. D e f i n i t i o n : The usage, reliability, quality, etc.
organizational structure involves the various Processes. Definition: Processes are the flow of
organizational arrangements (formal and informal) that activities that enable the enterprise to carry out its work
are created to accomplish the overall mission. and produce its products and services.
Purpose and use. Organizational structure takes two Purpose and use. Process maps and diagrams are used
forms: formal and informal. Both forms play major roles for several purposes, but in particular for business process
in the effectiveness of the enterprise. Therefore, careful reengineering, organizational design, and information
attention to the design and impacts of both of these forms technology requirements. Different types of processes,
must be given. such as management, functional, and resource
The formal structure is an intentional arrangement and management, exist in an enterprise. Management
location of enterprise functions based on demands of the processes determine how decision-making, performance
work, tradition, technological constraints, etc. It monitoring, and coordination activities are carried out.
determines official distribution of authority, Functional or production processes are the patterns of
responsibility, accountability, roles, and functions. The activities executed to produce the services or products
informal structure is unintentional and not formally directly. Resource management includes activities
prescribed. It emerges as ad hoc working groups form, performed to obtain, control, and coordinate resources
informal power structures develop, and decisions are such as financial accounting and equipment logistics.
made and carried out without formal authority. For Processes are characterized in the process maps and
example, the formal structure of the enterprise places diagrams. Procedures are specified methods for
constraints and requirements on the design of information performing processes.
technology to support it. Both formal and informal Tasks. Definilion: Tasks are the work performed by
structures greatly influence the flow of information and the enterprise and its parts.

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 Purpose and use. The task component is used to to fulfill its mission. The arrangement of functions also
specify the actual pieces of work (e.g., jobs, assignments) impacts the type of technology needed by the enterprise,
that produce products and services. Tasks are often including information technology, such as communication
described in job descriptions and/or task descriptions. and data sharing capabilities, data representation, and
Tasks can be complex or simple, diverse or uniform, information collection and storage. Distribution of
independent or highly interdependent. Identification of authority, responsibility, and accountability described by
tasks is important because they determine what skills, the organizational structure dictates where people will be
information, and technology are required by the assigned and what skills they must have. The
enterprise. Processes designate h o w these tasks get arrangement of people and functions affects how
accomplished. processes and tasks are performed.
Enterprise results. Definition: Results are the
products and services produced by the enterprise for the 3: Utility of enterprise architecture
customer and the measures of effectiveness and value of
the enterprise as a whole. The previous section described what an EA is; this
Purpose and use. Providing products and services to section discusses how an EA is used. Section 4 depicts
meet certain customer needs (usually to make a profit) is how an IA and ISA are a part of an EA.
the primary reason most enterprises exist. The success of
an enterprise is determined by how well this can be done 3.1: General uses of an enterprise architecture
at a reasonable price. Descriptions of the products and
services are necessary, for they drive and shape all An EA, as a whole, is used in a number of different
enterprise structures, activities, and required resources. ways to guide, direct, and manage an enterprise. The EA:
Enterprise structures, resources, and activities must enable Is a basis for decision making and planning.
9

the effective production of its products and services. * Governs the identification, selection, and
Enterprise performance is also considered a result. It is developmentof standards.
usually measured by customer satisfaction and is Is the mechanism for managing change within the
9

evidenced in profit or loss. enterprise.

Enables effective communication about the
2.3: Generic enterprise architecture component enterprise.
relationships
3.2: Using the enterprise architecture for
All enterprise components defined in Section 2.2 information systems development
depend upon each other and act upon each other. The
extent of this interaction and interdependency will vary In several important ways, an EA supports information
from component to component and change over time. system development activities. The EA will:
However, since an enterprise in considered a complex Provide commonly understood strategic basis for
organism, all components together form the whole and organizing the information management resources.
changes in one component impact all other components to 9 Be the basis for an agency-wide review and
some degree. Understanding the dynamics of the oversight mechanism for IRM policies and projects.
components is essential to predict the impacts of any Be the integrating vehicle for managing information.
changes and help in planning resources for the total Govern identification and development of
optimal functioning of the enterprise. Size constraints of information and systems standards.
this paper do not permit a thorough description of Provide a common set of terminology for
component relationships, so a few examples are provided communicating about data and information systems.
below. An EA, with its multiperspective representations of an
Enterprise strategy: Strategy provides the overall enterprise, furnishes management with a common
direction and focus for the entire enterprise to accomplish reference system for organizational IRM planning and
its mission. All enterprise decisions should be consistent implementation of required information system-related
with the vision, mission, and goals set forth in the changes. These logical representations of the enterprise
strategy. Rewards, motivation, and sanctions directly provide the pivotal link between the real-world enterprise
impact the people component by significantly influencing and IRM activities by providing the logical abstractions
their behavior and attitudes. Business rules define how considered necessary to describe the complex enterprise
the business operates, and the overall strategy shapes the context in a manner that can be translated into information
corporate culture. The organizational structure is a system requirements.
result of arranging the business functions in a manner to The logical abstractions of the enterprise developed for
best support mission accomplishmentand implementation the EA reside in a repository in the form of models,
of business rules. diagrams, listings, charts, tables, matrices, etc., along with
Organizational structure: How organizational their related data descriptions. At the beginning of each
functions are arranged and where they are located have a new information system acquisition or major system
significant effect on how effectively the enterprise is able modification, this repository will be used by

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 0Organizational
Structure

Products/

I f INFORMATION) I

~~

Flgure 2. Information Systems View of the Enterprise Architecture

system developers as initial baseline system requirements Purpose and use. The IA is used for understanding the
and constraints. information needed and used by people in performing
tasks and business processes. It is the framework used by
4: Information systems (IS) view of the enterprise data managers and administrators in planning,
enterprise architecture designing, and controlling corporate information.
Information is created by processes and tasks and is
An EA, because it embodies a multidimensional, shared with other processes and tasks. Understanding
corporate-wide representation of the enterprise, is the where information is needed, what information that is,
central reference for planning and decision making from where it flows. and how it is manipulated throughout the
various user perspectives. Each user perspective has a enterprise and across its boundaries is necessary if
primary focal point in one or more of the EA components, collection and sharing of the information is to be
but must consider all components to some degree. The IS automated and supported by information technology.
view of the enterprise is one such perspective.
In the IS view of the EA, the primary focus is on two 4.2: Information systems architecture
of the EA components: Information and Technology,
their design and how they interact with all other EA Description. The ISA describes the information
components (see Figure 2). The IA provides the logical technology resources used and planned for the enterprise.
representation of the corporate information; the ISA Communication linkages and capacities are identified,
provides the logical representation of corporate hardware, application software to support various processes and
software, and communications. The main objective of the tasks is specified, and hardware platforms to support the
IS view is to develop a framework for information software are characterized. The ISA has three aspects,
systems development throughout the enterprise and to typically represented as three separate models: (1) the
guide developments of individual projects and systems. applications depiction, showing the application software
used in the enterprise; (2) the hardware depiction showing
4.1: Information architecture the hardware configurations for the various sites and for
the enterprise as a whole; and (3) a communications
Description. The IA defines and establishes the depiction describing the wide-area networks and the local
information component of the EA by providing abstract area networks supporting the hardware platforms and
representations of corporate information. This is where movement of data throughout the enterprise.
information requirements are specified at a high level, Purpose and use. Since the high-level, overall view of
typically as subject areas, entities, and relationships. In enterprise information systems is provided by the ISA, it
doing so,all other EA components must be taken into is used to guide and direct all information technology
account. These relationships characterize how and by decisions and plans for the enterprise as a whole. The
whom data is used and where it flows. ISA is designed to support the information needs specified

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by the IA, and should be the enabling mechanism for Challenge,NIST Special Publication 500-167,U.S.Department
movement, sharing, processing, and storage of that of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Twhology,
information. The ISA should be developed in close Gaithersburg,MD.
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to be achieved. Managerial and Organizational Perspective, Boston: Little,
Brown and Company.
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