Enterprise architecture

February 12, 2011 This article complicates my thoughts closely the phone line computer architecture, debase Computing, Business Process charge (BPML), and Business Rules. This article consists of a conversation between the CIO and Enterprise intriguer. It is a product of my imagination. CIO I dont want you to implement the word consolidation. Instead, use the word integration. I am worried that someone will think that we be working on the consolidation of programs or organizations, rather than improving our architecture to serve the commerce.Again, I dont want you to get involved in discussions about hanging the organization structure of the agency. How do you see your roll vs.. The rolls of the other directors? Enterprise Architect I would like to support them with the knowledge I have at my disposal, but they argon not interested. One day they may realize how they mess use the Enterprise Architecture. I think of Enterprise Architecture as the substructure, which supports the billet, the superstructure. The Director of Capital Planning and Investment Control should use the Enterprise Architecture migration image to formulate future investments.A portion of the Enterprise Architecture has security concerns, including completely 4 layers cuisines, applications, data, and technology. We develop standards for all layers of the Enterprise Architecture, except business standards although, we may be asked to coordinate some business standards. Both communications and security should use the frameworks contained in the Enterprise Architecture Framework or propose changes to the models in the framework. CIO What do you want me to do? Enterprise Architect Get the cooperation of your direct piece of musics. CIO You will get it.Go over the business architecture, current architecture, and seat architectures again. Enterprise Architect The resemblance between the business and current architecture is the foundation for the data, applications, and technology target architectures. This comparison answers the question, Are we satisfying our business requirements in the current architecture? The business architecture or model includes the following Defines the mission and objectives, long-range strategies, tactical plans, performance measures, budgets, and business dominions. why) Defines the information and data that is shared, monitored, and tracked. (What) Defines the activities that are performed and a description of each. How) Defines the organizations and actors performing the activities. (Who) Defines where the activities are performed. (Where) Defines the business cycles and when activities or processes are performed. (When) In the business architecture, we develop mappings between all 6 of the Coachman interrogatories, including who, what, when, where, why, and how.The business architecture is mapped to the current architecture, and then opportunities for forward motion are documented. Targets are developed for data, app lications, and the technology layers of the architecture using the business architecture and other analyses. The business architecture constitutes our requirements at the agency level. CIO This is the first period I have heard about opportunities for make betterment. Are you going to produce a report with recommendations as a result of the comparison between the business architecture and the current architecture? Enterprise Architect Yes. Here is the vogue it works 1. wee the Business Architecture We produce a business architecture, which reflects the current way of doing business and contains all sorts of information and data associated with the 6 interrogatives in the Coachman Framework. We withal develop mappings between the interrogatives. The business architecture describes the current business practices, including, data, processes, etc. 2. map out the Business Architecture to the Current Architecture and Identify Opportunities for Improvement We propose a draft listing of the conceptual projects and associated common applications/components and data objects and progressively ameliorate it.We produce a current architecture, which tells us about the existing systems. We map the business architecture to the current architecture and we may find out, for example, that there are a large number of current systems associated with a single activity or no systems associated with other activities. solely current projects are mapped to the conceptual projects. 3. Create the entropy, Applications, and Technology Target Architectures based on the Business Architecture and Other Analyses We produce data, applications, and technology target architectures, which are partially based on the business architecture.Also, we use BPML, technology forecasts, judgments about the future uses and characteristics of information, opportunities to automate aspects of work, future business trends, new 2 goals/objectives and plans, etc. As the basis for coming up with the targe t architectures. 4. Compare the Current Architecture with the Target Architectures and Produce a Gap Analysis and a Migration Plan The business architecture helps us to evaluate the set and to propose the future. We use the business architecture as a resource wherever we can for example, it might contribute to BPML and business rules and visa versa.We are concentrating on an application architecture now, and we will issue several versions. As more analyses are completed, we will refine the applications architecture. We will move to data and technology layers soon. CIO How do I know what you are going to include in each version? Enterprise Architect There is no overall version plan. We in all likelihood should include BPML in the second version of the applications architecture. We previously developed a longer plan to implement Enterprise Architecture. CIO I think that there should be a version plan.Also, soon is not an adequate answer. I am beginning to be irritated with the stagg ered development of the Enterprise Architecture. Enterprise Architect We can lift up with a version plan, and give you the long-term plan for the completion of the application, data, and technology target architectures. CIO You are going to produce a report entitled Opportunities for Improvement after you have completed the business architecture and have compared it with the current architecture. Maybe you should consider it a rolling stone and sound keep updating it.Enterprise Architect The Opportunities for Improvement Report might include the following Whoso Who is missing or not being informed? Who do existing systems address or not address? Can organizations and actors be given increased responsibility? Whats Is the necessary information and data being shared, tracked, and monitored? Are all data models included in existing systems? When Are the scenarios, events, and business cycles reflected in existing systems? Whereas Do all identified locations have access to the existing systems? Whys Do existing systems reflect our goals and objectives, long-term strategic plans, tactical plans, performance measures, budgets, and business rules? Wows Have improved activities and processes been included in existing systems, and do they reflect passim processing? CIO I am interested in how you would increase responsibilities of organizations and actors. Can you talk to me about cost? I noticed you include budgets in the Why Column. Enterprise Architecture Generally costs are in the Why column along with goals, objectives, long-term strategic plans, tactical plans, performance measures, and business rules.If a project is not budgeted, then it cantata be taken seriously. Costs can be sorted in various ways. CIO Maybe you should sort costs by each target architecture, that is, applications, data, and technology. Enterprise Architect Good idea. However, we cant do that until we have a migration plan, because focusing on costs now would be premature. CIO Wh at is obnubilate Computing? Enterprise Architect profane Computing is like running your PC off of Software as a Service (AAAS), and might include query engines, operating systems, program and business APS, etc.CIO How does Cloud Computing know our requirements for our program and administrative APS? Is Cloud Computing our new target? Enterprise Architect Cloud Computing may offer certain advantageous, which we may find attractive. If it doesnt satisfy our requirements, including our standards, then we may not be interested in Cloud Computing. Every day, we are getting a better Andre on our agency requirements and I think we can take a small look at this new way of providing IT support. CIO You know the most about our APS and standards so, I expect that you will keep your eye on this issue.What are family line and others saying about Cloud Computing? Enterprise Architect There are several security concerns related to Cloud Computing that I have heard discussed at forums and semin ars. First, our data will be stored in other places, and wherever our data is located, it needs to be protected so, we need to clearly delineate our security requirements. Second, we also expect efficient revive without diminishing our security requirements. Third, more parties will be involved and we need to understand how they interact and their promises and guarantees. I think that MOB would like to see the IT federal footprint decrease, and Cloud Computing may be one meaner to do this. However, there is a trend toward the increase in the flow of data, and an increased emphasis on data ownership. I dont expect that Cloud Computing will eliminate the need for planning, but it is particularly primary(prenominal) that it satisfy the agency in terms of efficiency and security. CIO I dont want to be forced to buy a pig in the poke. There was a lot of pressure to move forward with an integrated Enterprise Architecture, which contains standards and approvals.I am wondering if MOB is ch anging our target? I am sure that Cloud Computing will require that we give up a certain degree of control. I am also worried about the costs and the detriment of expertise. Enterprise Architect As our Enterprise Architecture work progresses, we increasingly have a better understanding of our requirements. CIO You have indicated that you are developing the applications architecture first. Why didnt you develop the applications and data architectures in parallel?I am being approached by BPML contractors as you know and I asked you to do some look for on the subject. When will you give it to me? Enterprise Architect We should have developed the applications and data architectures together, since they are closely related to one another. Here is a circuit card that summarizes my BPML research. I think that BPML would offer tremendous measure out for further refining our target architecture, and I believe that the Coachman Framework contributes to the design of improved processes. A a couple of(prenominal) things are worth noting from my BPML research. See Enclosure (1)). 1) Both recesses and outcomes are important. Many citizens come into contact with the agency through processes. Of course, the government tends to focus on production rather than outcomes, because outputs are often more achievable than outcomes. 2) Integration and standardization reduces fragmentation and enables the processes to be more efficient and effective. 3) The data, processes, and business rules are important. Processes should be ended- end. Data models can be augmented with business rules, which limit and control processes. ) Forward engineering, BPML, business rules, and technology forecasts, among others, re valuable to develop the data, applications, and target architectures. As they say, it would be wise to make changes to processes up-front rather than making these changes down stream. We know the processes associated with the information exchanges, particularly our interchan ges with the public. We can use that to focus on priority processes. Additionally, we produced value streams associated with the value chain and various scenarios, particularly related to threats.Finally, there are a number of 5 key data models that contain very important processes. All of this can be used to kick start BPML. BPML takes considerable time and effort to create improved processes, particularly if you are going to select a preferred alternative from a comparison of mistakable processes. A process may be undertaken in many ways by the bureaus, using variant combinations of activities, data, people, time limitations, goals, objectives, and business rules. CIO Following up on a comment you previously made, I want the citizen to have more responsibility.I think you are the dianoetic person to do BPML. Enterprise Architect In addition to the 40 value streams and other scenarios, we developed data models which include processes. In the data model Customers place orders, p lace orders is the process. We have tons of data models of this sort. I am willing to identify business rules associated with these data models. However, I think we need to reckon on our BPML community to do BPML. CIO There is no BPML community. I am afraid that you are it. I count on you to explore ways to improve how we can further serve the business. Talk to me about business rules.What do business rules have to do with BPML? Enterprise Architect Business rules are important because you can change the behavior of the organization by changing the business rules. Both business rules and BPML focus on processes. According to Ron Ross, A business rule sets limitations and controls on a process. I have prepared an enclosure that explains business rules. (See Enclosure (2)). You will note that both BPML and Enterprise Architecture use similar language. Additionally, I did not identify the business rules as part of business architecture and I think this was a mistake.John Coachman cla ssifies business rules in his framework at a lower level. However, I no longer agree with this. I believe that the data model, processes, and business rules are closely interconnected and are critical to defining the business architecture. CIO Maybe John Coachman wanted us to first develop the data models and later add the business rules to them. Just give me a plan for the versions that includes the ideas we have discussed. Also, when the time comes, I am not going to stop any of the existing projects. The new project managers can sort this out.Finally, I have assembled some Youth videos on Enterprise Architecture, BPML, and business rules. (See Enclosure (3)) What I would like you to do is take a look at them, and come up with your own videos. If you want to hire experts to do the video that is fine. Maybe we should start with Enterprise Architecture. Enterprise Architect Okay. George Brigandage received a B. A. From Wright State University and M. A. From the University of Cincinn ati. He retired in June 2004, from the federal government and 6 lives in Ocean View, Delaware, and Alexandria, Virginia.He was an Enterprise Architect at the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security. Before that, he Emceed the Architectures Program for several years at the General Services Administration (AS) and the Department of the Treasury. He may e reached at cell 703. 772. 7410 and at George. emailprotected Com. His articles are on the web at http//enterprisearchitectureit. Info. 7 Enclosure (1) Business Process Management This table summarizes the key points from the following publications. The categories in this table are save groupings of BPML actions that were mentioned in the publications 1 .President Beams book, The Audacity of Hope, produce in 2006. 2. Customer Service Excellence, Using Information Technologies to Improve Service Delivery in governing body, Harvard University, 1994. 3. Citizen-Enabling Open Government (EEOC) Executive Summar y for ideas. This report was produced by ACT-IAC Enterprise Architecture Shared Interest Group (SIGH), September 2010. ) 4. Federal Government Business Process Reengineering Lessons Learned, February 1994, published by AS. Categories Share information and effectively manage programs. Responsive to citizens needs.Treat all with dignity and What BPML Has Done or Might Do Share information and data. subjoin integration and standardization to prevent fragmentation. Provide one face to the citizens. Develop data standards and business rules. Provide suites of commonly shared services. map technology effectively . Develop a citizen service strategy that includes technology, human resources, skill development, and incentives. Provide timely response to the citizen. Develop performance measures, associated with ended-end processes and outcomes. Take ownership of the entire process. follow the business or make it explicit. (See Identify the needs of the citizens. Use multiple vehicles to communicate with the public, including web sites, videos (The success of Youth, which provides some degree of video training, is astounding. ), and video teleconferencing. Use focus groups, surveys. Provide the public with access to the governments databases. Provide education and training, including long distance 8 respect. Provide the same level of service to all. Gather compulsory information. Clearly explain things.Develop effective and efficient processes and use technology creatively. Do things better, faster, and cheaper. Protect the public from harm. Give citizens their moneys worth. Education, so citizens can obtain the benefits they need and budget for innovative training. Develop standards and consistently apply business rules (Business rules must be transparent, consistent, ND explicit to enable effective regulation. ) Provide language services. Use alternative locations and organizations like libraries and kiosks to obtain information and distribute be nefits. Protect privacy 12