Enterprise Architecture: Reflective Report on Weeks 1-4 Concepts

This report provides a reflective analysis of Enterprise Architecture concepts, as covered in a course spanning weeks 1 through 4. The report delves into key topics such as the definition and purpose of Enterprise Architecture, architecture governance, various methods and frameworks like TOGAF and Archimate, and the significance of strategic alignment. The discussion includes an evaluation of the main issues and challenges encountered, such as time management and understanding different models. It also explores architectural frameworks, the Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), business architecture, and language structure, including collaboration and relationships. The report concludes with recommendations for improving the learning experience, particularly regarding the clarity of implementation, migration, and framework explanations, and highlights the importance of these concepts. The student successfully navigated the course material, overcoming obstacles and clarifying doubts through revision.

Running head: ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE
Name of the Student
Identification Number
Word Count

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Identification of main issues and evaluation of relevant issues...................................................2
Week 1.....................................................................................................................................2
Week 2.....................................................................................................................................3
Week 3.....................................................................................................................................4
Week 4.....................................................................................................................................4
Recommendation.............................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
Enterprise architecture or EA is termed as a metaphysical blueprint which is responsible
for defining the operation as well as the structure of an organization. The enterprise architecture
aims to determine the method in which the future as well as the ongoing objectives can be
achieved by an organization in an effective manner (Simon, Fischbach, and Schoder 2013).
This reflective report basically deals with the concepts given in the presentation that is provided
from week 1 up to week 4. The provided presentations consists of introduction to enterprise
architecture, architecture governance, methods and frameworks, TOGAF or the open group
architecture framework and Archimate language architecture.
Discussion
Identification of main issues and evaluation of relevant issues
Week 1
With completing the lecture of First week, I was able to understand the concept of the
enterprise architecture, the description of the purpose for the creation of the enterprise
architecture, the description of the process of architecture as a method of and as a product too
(Jacob et al. 2014). I was also able to understand both the external as well as internal driver
behind the enterprise architecture. Under the concept of enterprise architecture concept where the
architecture, stakeholder, enterprise along with the enterprise architecture is defined (Cameron
and McMillan 2013). Under the purpose of the creation of the enterprise architecture, the various
capabilities of the enterprise architecture is mentioned. I have understood the communication
about the architecture. I have thoroughly understood the description of the architecture process

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which involves the design which consists of the analysis of the formal models, use which
consists of visualization of various stakeholders, linking with the implementation, management
which consists of maintenance of control of version and idea that in turn consists of napkin
whiteboard power point (Hinkelmann et al. 2016). I understood the model of strategic alignment
and how enterprise architecture acts as a management instrument.
The biggest obstacle in the class for me was the management of time as I was busy
completing my assignments all the time but somehow managed to cope with all my activities and
manage time as with obstacles comes the strength (Lapalme et al. 2016). I discovered more
things about myself that I can manage my activities and can also manage a team as group
thinking were held in my class. It helped in improving my communication.
Week 2
By completion of the lecture of second week, I was able to understand the major
overview of the current techniques as well as methods utilized by the enterprise architecture, the
method in which the enterprise architecture makes a relation with the renowned benchmarks and
generally the best practices along with the management of IT which in turn consists of EFQM,
BSC along with quality management like COBIT, ITIL, CMMI and CMM (Rouhani et al. 2015).
I was able to understand the description of the various methods of the enterprise architecture
namely UMM or UN/CEFACT methodology of modelling, The Federal Enterprise Architectural
Framework (FEAF), Rational Unified Process (RUP), TOGAF and architecture development
method (ADM). Various framework of enterprise architecture like The Open Group Architecture
Network (TOGAF), Zachman Framework etc. is clear to me now.

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The biggest obstacle for me understanding understanding the different types of
models and differentiating between various types of models but by revising many times I was
able to understand each and every model and framework.
Week 3
With the completion of the lecture of week 3, I was able to understand the components of
the architectural framework like the foundational structure, method, common vocabulary along
with the recommendation of the benchmarks. The business architecture is also discussed under
this lecture. I understood TOGAF or The Open Group Architecture Framework which provides
the tools and the methods which are required for the assistance in the production, utilization and
the maintenance of the enterprise architecture (Aier 2104). I also understood that this particular
framework is based on model which involves iterative process and the sets of the existing assets
which are fre-utilizable in nature and the best practices of architecture supports it.
I also understood how the TOGAF can be utilized with the other frameworks with the
help of an example of coffee making which is mentioned in the lecture and in turn involves the
ingredients, differentiator along with the various methods. There are various kinds of illustrations
that helped in a much better understanding (Proper and Lankhorst 2014). The diagram with the
help of which everything is clear involves architectural continuum, content framework, and
solution continuum indicating towards the processes of business composed by the various
services which in turn are fulfilled by the packages and is supported by the infrastructure.
The obstacle I faced was lack of focus as there was various subjects to be studied apart
from this particular subject but I overcame this by arranging and managing all my tasks.

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Week 4
The topic that was selected for week 4 was the language structure. With the completion
of the lecture of fourth week I was able to understand the language structure which involved
interaction along with the collaboration. I understood the description of the collaboration which
is the method of aggregating two or more than two elements of structure who are working
together for performing a collective behavior which also includes the element of active structure
and behavior element (Aier 2014). I understood the various relationships like aggregation,
specialization, association, composition etc. I also understood the layering in the language
structure like application layer, business layer and technology layer. I understood the motivation,
migration and the implementation in the structure of language.
The obstacle for me was understanding the implementation and migration in the language
structure but I revised the topic many times and succeeded.
Recommendation
The recommendation consists of making the lecture of the implementation and migration in the
context of the language structure, the lecture regarding the framework and the models, should be
made simple and explained in easier manner so that it is easy for the students to focus and
understand.
Conclusion
The concept of employee architecture is very important. The various models, frameworks
and language structure plays a very vital role. Overall the lectures from week 1 to week 4 has

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been analyzed. The lecture was easy for me to understand and some parts that I faced some
problems I revised a lot. By revising, I was able to clear all my doubts that I had regarding the
topics. Hence, I am now able to understand each and every topic form week 1 to week 4.

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References
Simon, D., Fischbach, K. and Schoder, D., 2013. An exploration of enterprise architecture
research. CAIS, 32(1).
Cameron, B.H. and McMillan, E., 2013. Analyzing the current trends in enterprise architecture
frameworks. Journal of Enterprise Architecture, 9(1), pp.60-71.
Iacob, M.E., Meertens, L.O., Jonkers, H., Quartel, D.A., Nieuwenhuis, L.J. and Van Sinderen,
M.J., 2014. From enterprise architecture to business models and back. Software & Systems
Modeling, 13(3), pp.1059-1083.
Hinkelmann, K., Gerber, A., Karagiannis, D., Thoenssen, B., Van der Merwe, A. and Woitsch,
R., 2016. A new paradigm for the continuous alignment of business and IT: Combining
enterprise architecture modelling and enterprise ontology. Computers in Industry, 79, pp.77-86.
Lapalme, J., Gerber, A., Van der Merwe, A., Zachman, J., De Vries, M. and Hinkelmann, K.,
2016. Exploring the future of enterprise architecture: A Zachman perspective. Computers in
Industry, 79, pp.103-113.
Rouhani, B.D., Mahrin, M.N.R., Nikpay, F., Ahmad, R.B. and Nikfard, P., 2015. A systematic
literature review on Enterprise Architecture Implementation Methodologies. Information and
Software Technology, 62, pp.1-20.
Aier, S., 2014. The role of organizational culture for grounding, management, guidance and
effectiveness of enterprise architecture principles. Information Systems and E-Business
Management, 12(1), pp.43-70.
Proper, H. and Lankhorst, M.M., 2014. Enterprise architecture-towards essential sensemaking.
Enterprise Modelling and Information Systems Architectures (EMISAJ), 9(1), pp.5-21.