Enterprise Architecture Enables SDLC Phases: A Comprehensive Analysis

This report examines the crucial role of Enterprise Architecture (EA) in supporting the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The paper begins with a concise definition of EA and then proceeds to analyze how EA enables and enhances each phase of the SDLC: initiation/planning, requirements analysis, design, development, integration and testing, and implementation/deployment/support/maintenance. It elucidates the unique qualities and capabilities that a well-defined EA brings to each phase, which might not be otherwise available. The analysis includes the integration of external scholarly resources to strengthen the arguments and provide a comprehensive understanding of EA's contribution to IT management processes and strategic decision-making within an organization.

Enterprise Architecture Enables Processes Paper
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply your critical thinking skills and
understanding of the course concepts to explain how the enterprise architecture (EA) and/or
the EA program supports the other IT management processes of an organization. This
assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes:
 describe enterprise architecture (EA), the appropriate application of EA frameworks,
and an overall ongoing EA program
 analyze and examine how enterprise architecture and enterprise systems influence,
support, and enable an organization's ability to contribute to strategic decision
making and to respond and adapt to the business environment
 apply EA concepts to support business requirements and identify opportunities for
enterprise solutions
Assignment
As you have learned throughout the course, EAs can be used to support a wide variety of
information technology management processes, and an EA program strengthens IT
management activities. A well-defined and implemented EA contributes significantly to each
of the phases of the systems development life cycle (SDLC). For this assignment you will
write a 3-5 page paper (not counting any cover sheet or reference pages) that explains
briefly what enterprise architecture (EA) is and then how it supplements and enables each of
the phases of the SDLC:
 initiation/planning/concept phase
 requirements analysis phase
 design phase
 development phase
 integration and testing phase
 implementation/deployment/support/maintenance phase
You should explain how EA enables each phase, how it fits into each phase, and what unique
qualities or capabilities a well-defined EA contributes that might not otherwise be available
to the organization.
The use of at least two external scholarly resources (other than class materials) is
required. (NOTE: More than two external resources are required to receive all possible
points; see Grading Rubric below.) You should use scholarly journals (rather than
Wikipedia and author-less website postings). Remember to correctly cite and reference all
sources using APA format.
Grading Rubric
Use the rubric below to be sure you have covered all aspects of the assignment.
7/8/2014 1

Criteria
90-100%
Far Above
Standards
80-89%
Above
Standards
70-79%
Meets
Standards
60-69%
Below
Standards
< 60%
Well
Below
Standard
s
Possibl
e
Points
Intro-
duction
5 Points
A
sophisticated
introduction
sets the
stage for the
paper.
4 Points
A well-
written
introduction
sets the
stage for the
paper.
3.5 Points
The
introduction
adequately
sets the
stage for
the paper.
3 Points
The
introduction
does not
adequately
set the stage
for the
paper.
0-2 Points
No
introductio
n included.
5
Explana-
tion of
Enterpri
se
Architec
-ture
13-15
Points
Explanation
is brief but
clear; is
complete
enough to set
the stage for
the paper;
and
demonstrates
a
sophisticated
understandin
g of course
concepts.
12 Points
Explanation
is brief but
clear; is
complete
enough to
set the stage
for the
paper; and
demonstrate
s a good
understandin
g of course
concepts.
10-11
Points
Explanation
is
adequately
clear and
sufficiently
complete to
set the
stage for
the paper,
and
demonstrat
es an
adequate
understandi
ng of course
concepts.
9 Points
Explanation
may be only
somewhat
clear or
complete;
may or may
not
demonstrate
an adequate
understandin
g of course
concepts.
0-8 Points
Explanatio
n is not
included or
little effort
is
demonstra
ted.
15
EA
Support
to SDLC
Phases:
The
explanation
of how EA
enables each
of the SDLC
phases
below, how it
fits into the
phase, and
what unique
qualities or
capabilities
EA
contributes
to each is
thorough,
clearly
explained,
The
explanation
of how EA
enables each
of the SDLC
phases
below, how it
fits into the
phase, and
what unique
qualities or
capabilities
EA
contributes
to each is
complete,
clearly
explained,
The
explanation
of how EA
enables
each of the
SDLC
phases
below, and
how it fits
into the
phase, and
what unique
qualities or
capabilities
EA
contributes
to each is
presented,
The
explanation
of how EA
enables each
of the SDLC
phases
below, and
how it fits
into the
phase, and
what unique
qualities or
capabilities
EA
contributes
to each may
be partially
complete,
Explanatio
n of how
EA enables
the SDLC
phases is
missing or
shows little
effort.
(see
below)
7/8/2014 2

Criteria
90-100%
Far Above
Standards
80-89%
Above
Standards
70-79%
Meets
Standards
60-69%
Below
Standards
< 60%
Well
Below
Standard
s
Possibl
e
Points
uses
sophisticated
writing, and
correctly
relates EA to
the phases;
demonstrates
a
sophisticated
level of
understandin
g of course
concepts,
analysis,
critical
thinking, and
synthesis.
and correctly
relates EA to
the phases;
demonstrate
s a high level
of
understandin
g of course
concepts,
analysis,
critical
thinking, and
synthesis.
and
correctly
relates EA
to the
phases;
demonstrat
es an
adequate
understandi
ng of course
concepts,
analysis,
and critical
thinking.
may be only
somewhat
clearly
explained
and/or may
only
somewhat
correctly
relate EA to
the phases;
and/or may
not
demonstrate
an adequate
understandin
g of course
concepts,
analysis, and
critical
thinking.
Initiation/
Planning/
Concept
phase
9-10 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 0-5 Points 10
Require-
ments
analysis
phase
9-10 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 0-5 Points 10
Design
phase
9-10 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 0-5 Points 10
Develop-
ment
phase
9-10 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 0-5 Points 10
Integratio
n and
testing
phase
9-10 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 0-5 Points 10
Impleme
n-tation/
Deploym
ent/
Support/
Mainten-
9-10 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 0-5 Points 10
7/8/2014 3

Criteria
90-100%
Far Above
Standards
80-89%
Above
Standards
70-79%
Meets
Standards
60-69%
Below
Standards
< 60%
Well
Below
Standard
s
Possibl
e
Points
ance
phase
External
Researc
h
9-10 Points
More than
two scholarly
sources other
than the
class
resources are
incorporated
and used
effectively,
contextualize
d,
appropriately
researched
and
supported,
and
synthesized
with original
arguments.
Sources used
are credible,
relevant, and
timely.
Proper APA
style is used
for citations
and
references.
8 Points
More than
two scholarly
sources
other than
the class
resources
are
incorporated
and used
effectively,
appropriatel
y researched
and
supported,
and support
original
arguments.
Sources used
are credible,
relevant, and
timely.
Proper APA
style is used
for citations
and
references.
7 Points
Two
scholarly
sources
other than
the class
resources
are properly
incorporate
d and used.
Uses APA
format for
references
and
citations.
6 Points
Two or fewer
sources
other than
the class
resources
may be
used; may
not be
scholarly
sources; may
not be
properly
incorporated
or used to
support
arguments;
may rely too
heavily on
the reporting
of external
sources,
and/or are
not effective
or
appropriate;
and/or are
not credible,
relevant, or
timely. May
not use APA
format.
0-5 Points
No
external
research is
incorporat
ed or
reference
listed is
not cited
within text.
10
Format 9-10 Points
Paper reflects
effective
organization
and
sophisticated
writing;
follows
instructions
provided; is
8 Points
Paper reflects
effective
organization;
follows
instructions
provided; is
written in third
person; has
few errors in
sentence
7 Points
Paper has
some
organization;
may have
some errors
in sentence
structure,
grammar and
spelling. Is
double
6 Points
Paper is not
well
organized,
and/or
contains
several
grammar
and/or spelling
errors; and/or
is not double-
0-5 Points
Paper is
extremely
poorly
written, has
many
grammar
and/or
spelling
errors, or
does not
10
7/8/2014 4

Criteria
90-100%
Far Above
Standards
80-89%
Above
Standards
70-79%
Meets
Standards
60-69%
Below
Standards
< 60%
Well
Below
Standard
s
Possibl
e
Points
written in
third person;
uses correct
structure,
grammar,
and spelling;
double-
spaced and
presented in
a
professional
format using
Word.
structure,
grammar, and
spelling;
double-
spaced, and
presented in a
professional
format.
spaced and
written in
third person.
spaced and
written in third
person.
convey the
information.
TOTAL
Points
Possible
100
7/8/2014 5