EA Management Tools

EA Management ToolsRequirements, Design and Application of

a comprehensive web-based solution (Archi/WebModeler)

Graham McLeodManaging Partner

I.T. Consulting I.T. Consulting �� Training Training �� ResearchResearch

INSPIREDINSPIRED

Copyright Inspired 2005 1

I.T. Consulting � Training � Research

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Introduction & CoverageEnterprise Architecture Management is vital to achieving agility, reducing risk, increasing effectiveness and efficiency in today's pressured organisations. Historically, support has been sought in ad-hoc tools (Word, Excel, Access, Visio) or CASE-derived modeling tools originally intended for software, process or data modeling. These lack some essential elements to effectively manage frameworks, document current architectures, develop future scenarios and manage initiatives towards achieving goals: especially when it comes to gaining buy in from non-technical executives and collaborating with sponsors, decision makers and "owners" of various architecture dimensions.

This talk discusses the requirements for a successful EA tool; how these differ from previous approaches; the design of one such "new generation" web/repository based tool capable of supporting a variety of frameworks and user categories. The talk will conclude with a brief demonstration of some unique capabilities followed by questions and discussion (time permitting).

EA GoalsEA Support Tool RequirementsEA Tool DesignFeatures to Meet CriteriaArchi/WebModeler ArchitectureDemonstrationContactsReferences



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EA GoalsEA Goals according to Schekkerman

Managing ComplexitySupport Decision MakingRoadmaps for ChangeSupport Budgeting and PrioritisationInsight and Overview of Business and ITSupport Systems DevelopmentManage IT PortfolioHelpful for Mergers and Acquisitions

CEO Requirements according to Spewak and Hill

Business to IT AlignmentStructural StrategicInter-Domain



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Zachman (Enterprise Architecture, the issue of the century) www.zifa.comOnly first three levels of framework!Spewak agrees.... (top two layers..)Also see Zachman and Sowa "Extending and formalising the framework for information systems architecture" article for need for integration across the cells(figure 2)

Systems Thinking (Checkland, Copeland, Avison.. )Multiple PerspectivesIterative / Sense Making / Alteration

EA Requirements



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EA Requirements(from Literature and Experience)

ComprehensiveCoverage of Domains (Business, Process, Application, Information, Technical...)

Currency/AccuracyAdd ValueComprehensible to all participantsSharableDistributedInvolvement of StakeholdersService Oriented ArchitectureGovernance (SOxley; COBIT; ITIL ...)Manage the EA processSecureSupport Initiative/Transition ManagementLink to other concerns e.g. Risk, Quality Mgmt



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User Communities/Roles SupportedEnterprise Architects

Business ArchitectsProcess ArchitectsApplications ArchitectsInformation ArchitectsTechnical / Infrastructure ArchitectsIntegration Architects

Strategic PlannersBusinessIT

Programme ManagersEAInitiativesProject Office

Risk ManagersMethods EngineersSoftware ArchitectsVendorsSponsorsProject StaffQuality Assurance



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Repository, Knowledge Artefact Requirements

Object/Semantic Model Rich Data Types

Dates, Pictures, Documents, Templates, Hypertext, Hyperlinks

Persistence on Relational (SQL/ODBC)Transactional

Robust, traceable"Soft" Meta Model

Runtime extensionManaged Artefacts

Various types (Documents, Presentations, Diagrams, Spreadsheets, Project Plans..)Date/Time StampingHTTP upload/downloadVersioning

Exposed DirectoriesPreviously or externally gathered information



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FunctionalityMethodologies and Models

Frameworks (agnostic)Model Development InterfaceTool Automation

Import/ScanningExtendibility and Customisation

Meta ModelingSecurityUser Interfaces/Programmability

Analysis and ManipulationRepository

CollaborationOpenness

Deployment ArchitectureCost and Vendor Support

Utility to ProfessionalsEnt ArchitectStrategic PlannersEnterprise Programme ManagersWe can add: Project Managers; Implementors; Vendors; Domain specific architects; Process Architects; Risk Analysts etc.

EA Tool Requirements (Shekkerman)Checklist

Operational and Technical FitPlatformPerformance and AvailabilitySecurity/User AdminSoftware DistributionRelease ManagementTool ArchitectureTechnical and operational Requirements

Vendor SupportFunctional Fit (Specific)

Support AnalysisSupport of EA FrameworksSupport of EA Program (time)SimulationRepository ManagementValidation of ModelsSupport of Standard Languages and TechniquesSupport for EA Review Management

Functional Fit (General)User InterfaceCustomizationImport/IntegrationReportingVersion ManagementDocument ManagementHelp and TutorialsLibraries (Graphics)Code Generation??

Commercial and CredibilityHe comments that only the relevant level of detail should be attempted in models, otherwise the task becomes unachievable



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EA Tool Requirements (Spewak)QueryAnalysis (integrity, level, affinity, ranking)Methodology compatibility/adaptationKinds of Objects (files, fields, relationships)ExtensibilityEase of learning, using and changing dataData entry formsMultiple or single accessPerformance/efficiency vs size of database (responsivenes)Toolset compatibility and integration - import/export

Flexibility of outputMatricesIndented listsHierarchy diagramsSimple lists, cross reference listsFull description (formatted text)ER diagramsGant charts and schedulesDataflow diagramsPresentation GraphicsText (free form)



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FunctionalityFramework Support - Customizable or ownDeliverable SupportGlossary/TaxonomyNon technical viewsMeta ModelingMulti User CollaborationDrill Down / conceptual/Logical /Physical etc. TraceabilitySecurityReport GenerationCommon Language and Notation

Intuitiveness/Ease of UseProcess MapOnline HelpPrebuilt modelsVisual modeling/Drag and drop

CustomizationChange tracking and auditingOrganizing Artefacts/Naming standardsViewing and relating artefactsAPI available?Organizational Factors

International/Multi LanguageDistributed operation

Tool Capacity/ScalingSize of Data/No of Files/Number of records/objectsUpgrade path

EA Tool Requirements (TOGAF)Architecture

Repository central or distributedDynamic repositoryStandard database or proprietaryBackwards compatibilityIntegration and consolidation into one repositoryVersion controlWeb ClientPlatforms?

Life Cycle SupportFull lifecycle support?Basic required views "out of the box"Custom ViewsModeling supportSimulationExecutable output?

Interoperability FactorsImport/Export (including from other tools)Integration with other toolsIndustry standard APIsSupport for industry standards (HTML, XML, UML)

Financial ConsiderationsInitial costTCO

Vendor Factors



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EA Tool Requirements (From RFPs)Meta Modeling capability

Types , relationshipsAspectsExtensibility

Modeling capabilityCoverage: Business, Applications, Process, Information, Technology, Risk, Cost...

Shared, CollaborativeEase of installation, deploymentStructured, Semi-structured, ad-hoc knowledgeSearch CapabilitiesOpen, interoperableMultiple Perspectives/FrameworksVisual ModelingRepository Management, evolutionReportingAnalysisInferencing (incl generation of visualization from inferred rels)AffordableTime dimensionFilters

Multiple ScenariosNon-redundantAuditabilityVersion ManagementAsset testingSecurityRich content

various data typesDirectory exposure/monitoringMeta data management, domains, audit trailContent analysis and status reportingUser customizationMethods engineering/Program Management supportPerformance/response timeStandards encouragementEasy data capture/importAvailable models (Zachman, TOGAF, Inspired, DODAF, COBIT etc. )ReliabilitySupport levels of abstraction



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DesignSupport

Architecture ManagementMethods Engineering and UseStrategy and Programme ManagementProfessional, knowledge intensive workDistributed TeamsMultiple Frameworks

Central shared, transactional repositoryHold structured, semi structured and unstructured dataSupport all "document types" client can handleObject Oriented model, relational storageSupport links to external contentVersion management and audit trailMethod templates

Server based product - thin clientWeb Interface, X Browser"Zero Deployment"Central Installation and Administration (tho latter can be done thru browser interface from anywhere)Provide all necessary management utilities (users, security, performance, import, export, migration, error handling, support etc.)Stateful, sessions, security, currency

Pattern BasedStandards Compliant

HTML, HTTPXML, XMICSVRelational DatabaseStandard web server

EventsSupport automation, monitoring, collaboration

Tool integration, API to support other toolsBatch, XML, CSVRealtime, WEB Svc, XML, CSV, API

Easy LoadingWeb forms, relating toolsImportVisual ModelingExternal DB AccessSpreadsheet IntegrationDirectory access / monitoring

Runtime extensibleMeta Model Edit via Browser, internal documentationCalculationsEventsCustom Views

Flexible Capture, Viewing, Navigation, Analysis and Output of DataEasy Output

Report GenerationComposite DocumentsPortal SupportPublishing - web site genVisual ModelsStatus via picture

Collaboration Support, DiscussionsCustomisation

MenusCustom ViewsSettings

Help



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Meta Model

Web Server

Archi KM Tool

WebClient

WebClient

WebClient

Relational DBMS

Models

System Parameters

Templates

ManagedManagedManagedDocuments

ExternalPagesExternalPagesExternalPages

Architect Strategist

Program/ProjectManager

WebClient

Modeler/KnowledgeEngineer

Archi ArchitectureArchi Architecture

DESKTOPAPPLIC.DESKTOP

APPLIC.

SystemAdmininst.

Lan or WWW

Directories

XMLCSV

OtherToolsOther

ToolsOtherTools

CGI

SQL

HTML/HTTP/TCPIPe.g. WordExcel

Visual Modeling Toolse.g. Visio

Archi Requestor

ExternalData

Source

InterfacePatterns

ProcessPatterns



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Input MechanismsCollectorsImport

XMLCSV

CaptureWebVisual Tools

Read from sources..SQL

eMailWith Attachments

Directory MonitoringDirectory Exposure

Repository

XML

SQL

Dir



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Multiple Analysis ViewsItemMaster/DetailList/WorksheetHierarchyMatrixCalendarContext/InferencingComputed valuesFilters...VisualizationSearch Capabilities



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Content OrganizationModelsDomains

NestedNon-exclusive

FrameworksVisualOn top of types

Same Type RelationshipsHierarchies Networks

User Defined RelationshipsSubject OntologySearchableInternal/Local/External Choice

Bu sin ess Un it

M ode l

Busi ness Ob jectiv e

Bu sin ess E vent

Resou rce Type

Bu sin ess F uncti on

Arti fact

Bu sin ess G oal

Data Col lecti on

App li catio n S ystemReso urce Usage

Assessm ent

CO BIT Dom ai n

COBI T I T Resou rce T ype

Lo catio n

Ke y I ndi cator

System Fun cti on

Pers onRo le

COBI T I nform ati on Cri ter ion

Rol e

Arch itecture S cenari o

Busi ness Pro cess

Acti vity Outcom e

Activi ty S eque nce

Busi ness Com m uni catio n

Pr odu ct-S ervi ce Categ ory

CO BIT Con tr ol Ob jecti ve

Pro cess Acti vity

Bu sin ess Ru le

M od el Item

Stakeh ol der Type

Risk Typ e

Activ ity T ype

User T ype

P artner

Perso n

I TIL Co ntrol

Busi ness Obj ect

Dea l Type

Custom er Typ e

dealor

deal ee

dealee

dealo r

works f or

em ploys

is governed by governsis governed by

gove rns

i s governed by

governs

is g overned by

governs

is assoc iat ed wit h

h as assoc ia tions

is assoc iat ed wit hhas assoc iati ons

is assoc iated wit h

has a ssoc iat ions

m em ber of

has mem bers

is part of

inc lude s parts

is respons ibil ity of

is respo nsi ble f or

is respons ibili ty of

is respons ible for

owned b y

owns

owned by

owns

owne d by

ownsis produced by

produces

t riggered by

trig gers

ha s

be longs t o

supports

is support ed by

relat es to

is relat ed to

output s

output f rom

i s supported by

supports

t riggered by

trigge rs input sinput t o

relat es t o

is relat ed to

support s

is support ed by

support sis supported by support s

is support ed by

precedes

fol lows

relate s tois related t o

is part ofin clu des parts

uses

i s used by

accom odates

o ccurs at

impl ement ed by

compli es wit h

is p art o f

in clu des parts

i s part of

inc ludes part s

input t o inputs

outp ut fromout puts

moni tored bym onito rs

write s

writt en b y

inc luded ininc ludes

preced es

foll ows

input t o

input s

outp ut from

output s

is used by

use s

o wn ed byowns

is governed b y

g overns


is respons ible for

m onit ored by

m onit ors

owne d by

owns

is used by

uses

is respons ible fo r

i s resp onsi bilit y of

is af fec t ed by

af fec t s

co ntrols

has control cont rol s

has cont rol

controls

has cont rolis part of

inc ludes p art s

suppo rt s

is support ed by

supportsis support ed by

accom odates

occurs at

prim ary c rite ri on f orprim ary crit erionexh ibit ed by

prone t o

secondary c rite ri on f or

secondary c riteria

applicable to

u ses re source

is al tered by

alt ers

appl ication

ini tiat es

relat es to

is relat ed to

quot e

quot e f or

i s part of

inc ludes parts

inputs input t o

ass is ts i n del iveri ng

is part ly produced by

pref ers

is pref erred by

out put s out put f ro msuppli es

suppl ied by

is used by

uses

is part of

inc ludes part s

catego ri sescategorised by

supports

is support ed by

accomodat es

occurs a t

is governed b y

governs

relat es to

i s relat ed t odeal or

dealee

de alee

deal or

works for

em ploys

m emb er of

has mem bers

trig gered by

triggers

owned by

owns

is used by uses


is respo nsi ble f or

tr ig gere d by

trig gers

f ulf illed by

fulf ill s

is part of

inc ludes part s

re lates to

is rela ted to

(partial ly) im pleme nts

maps to

acq uired by

acquires

i s part of i ncl udes parts relates to

is relat ed t o

d ealor

deale e

dealee

dealor

works f or

e mploys

m ember of

ha s mem bers

trigg ered bytriggers

ExtnlAssets

ExtnlAssets

ExtnlAssets

ExtnlAssets

frameworks

subject ontology

models

domains



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Output ViewsSpatialGraphicalDocumentorContextReportComposite DocPortalWebsiteVisual ModelPresentation ModelExport

XMLCSV



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Scenarios and EvolutionArchitecture Elements

May satisfy requirement in a variety of scenariosOR may be used in one, but discontinued or under evaluation in anotherNeed a view on the element per scenario...

Architecture ScenariosSupported via relationships and filteringAllows considering any combination of scenarios

No redundancy of shared elementsUnique perspective on element within a scenario

Visual Modeling Allows extracting a model, modifying, generating a new modelWhile sharing all common elements



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Inferencing, ComputationInferencing of Relationships

ComputationDeclarativeNo Repository Access Code requiredCan be recursiveImmediately interpretedFull, rich object languagePowerful APISupport for recursion

with control of cyclical problems

SystemBusinessProcessVendor

supports supports

supports

BusinessUnit

BusinessUnit

BusinessUnit

SystemBusinessProcess

uses

uses owns

owns



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Visual Models, Transformation

Items can participate in multiple modelswith different representationsModel Types provide a mapping between visual representation and internal meaningModel exchange occurs over HTTP links

0 0 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0

ModelType

<XML>

ModelType

<XML>



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Interoperation, CustomizationXML

Instance DataAttached Assets and GraphicsMeta DataCustom Schemas

CSVTemplate generationImportGeneration

RequestorMiddlewareAPIScriptingVisio, Powerpoint, Word....

Custom MenusCustom Views

aHTML nextPutAll: '<TABLE BORDER=0 WIDTH="100%" ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP>'.aHTML nextPutAll: '<IMG SRC="', (Archie2BusinessTransactionClass getSetting: 'SystemImageURL'), 'ILogo5.gif" BORDER=0><', (Archie2BusinessTransactionClass getSetting: 'FontStyle2'), '><B>Simple Browser Home for User: ', (aSessionData value at: 'USERID').aHTML nextPutAll: '<BR><BR><', (Archie2BusinessTransactionClass getSetting: 'FontStyle1'), '>Generated on ', (Date today printString), ' at ', (Time now printString).aHTML nextPutAll: '</TR></TD>'.aHTML nextPutAll: '<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=TOP><HR>'.aHTML nextPutAll: '<TABLE BORDER=1>'.(A2NodeTypeHome singleton allActiveInstances) do: [:each |(Archie2BusinessTransactionClass HasAccessLevel: 'V' nodeTypeId: (each id) dataDomain: 'INSTANCE' sessdionData: (aSessionData value)) ifTrue: [aHTML nextPutAll: '<TR><TD>', each smallImageHTML, '</TD>'.aHTML nextPutAll: '<TD><', (Archie2BusinessTransactionClass getSetting: 'FontStyle2'), '><B>', each description, '</TD>'.aHTML nextPutAll: '<TD><A HREF="Archie2CustomView-', aSessionData sessionKey, '?', ('<6809><6809><', each id printString, '>') sstUrlEncode ,'">List Items</A></TD></TR>'].]. aHTML nextPutAll: '</TABLE></TD></TR></TABLE>'.



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Auditing, Evaluation of Progress, Management

Delta ViewsMeta AuditContent AnalysisManagement Utilities

PerformanceUsersLoggingTransactions...Error Management

EventsDomains



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Meta Modeling Easy web interfaceDefine/Modify

TypesRelationshipsPropertiesPreferred spatial layout

Internal DocumentationImmediately Usable

Patterns Customise User Interfaces and Business Logic

Impact Analysis SupportedModel Comparison SupportedChange AuditingVisio Integration



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DemonstrationMeta Modeling

Type Browser, Instant updates to UIInput, linkingAtefact management

Content viewMatrices and Inferencing

X RefSpatial View Access

Frameworks, Drill Down, QueryInferencing in hierarchies in ContextComputation

e.g. GapFiltering/Scenarios/Gap Analysis

By Scenario, Business Unit, Domain, StateCalendar, Programme ViewReporting, Composite ViewVisual Models

MetaInstance: Process; Application Architecture

Output: Portal, WebSite, Documentor



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ReferencesInspired - various internal documents, white papers and RFP materialsSpewak, Steven H, 1993, Enterprise Architecture Planning Developing a Blueprint for Data, Applications and Technology, WileySchekkerman, Jan, 2005, Enterprise Architecture Tool Selection Guidelines, IFEADSchekkerman, Jan, 2004, Trends in Enterprise Architecture, IFEADSowa, JF & Zachman, John, 1992, Extending and formalising the framework for Information Systems Architecture, www.zifa.com The Open Group, TOGAF 8.1 Reference Model, www.opengroup.org



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Contact DetailsPresenter

Graham McLeodemail: [email protected]: +27 21 531 5404mobile: +27 82 578 1834

Inspiredwww.inspired.org
