Enterprise Architecture: Creating Value by Informed Governance

by Martin Op't Land

Twenty years after the first publications and books on enterprise architecture, the domain is evolving from a technology-driven towards a more business-driven approach, thus empowering decision makers to adapt and transform an enterprise in order to keep up with changing business needs. At the same time the discipline of enterprise architecting has matured, leading to a better understanding of the profession of an enterprise architect.

With this book, the authors aim to provide an overview of enterprise architecture including the process of creating, applying and maintaining it, thus taking into account the perspectives of CxOs, business managers, enterprise architects, solution architects, designers and engineers. They explore the results that are produced as part of an enterprise architecture, the process by which these are produced, and the role the architect plays in this process. As such, they do not describe a specific method for developing an enterprise (IT) architecture, nor do they define a specific modeling language for enterprise architecture, rather they offer the reader a fundamental way of thinking about enterprise architecture, which will enable him to select and apply the right approach, architecture framework and tools that meet the objective and context of the architecture work at hand. This approach is emphasized by discussion statements at the end of each chapter, sparking thoughts about benefits, shortcomings, and future research directions.

Covering both theoretical foundations and practical use, and written in close collaboration between industry professionals and academic lecturers, Enterprise Architecture thus offers an ideal introduction for students in areas like business information systems or management science, as well as guidance and background for professionals seeking a more thorough understanding of their field of work.

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Adam Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a slog through a short an overpriced book. How is it possible reading a book on EA yet coming away from it still asking "What is EA?" Save money and time by looking for a better book.

[Eric Jager · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book “Enterprise Architecture” lightly touches the applicability of various existing #enterprisearchitecture frameworks (and all processes and deliverables associated with them) in order to underline their practical use.
What it doesn’t do is, given the exemplary scenarios mentioned in the book, compare the pro’s and con’s of these frameworks to one another in order to give the reader an insightful view of the benefits per framework.
In doing so, the book feels a bit too far off and doesn’t really explain “Enterprise Architecture” as the title suggests.