Enterprise Architecture: Five Levels of the EA6 Framework

Enterprise Architecture
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor
Date
Enterprise Architecture
Why Several Different Artifact types Needed for each EA6 Level
In documenting the architecture for an enterprise, several different artifact types are needed for each EA6 Level for flexible changes in the future. "Documentation of the current EA is important to an enterprise because it provides a set of baseline reference information/artifacts for planning and decision making" (Bernard, 2020. 150). In this case, the enterprise can change, improve, or remove any artifact over time. Therefore, an organization can adopt the most efficient artifacts after testing their effectiveness to the efficiency of the enterprise.
i. Strategic-level Artifact: Near-term SWOT Analysis (S-2).
SWOT analysis is one of the most fundamental to achieving an organizational plan. "One of the earliest activities the enterprise performs in developing a strategic plan is a Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats SWOT analysis" (Bernard, 2020. 128). In this case, an organization can use this analysis to analyze its internal and external factors to enhance its survivability. This segment shall develop a near-term SWOT analysis for the strategic-level artifact in this case.
Table 1: SWOT Analysis
Time

Area

Internal

External

Near Term (1-3 Years)

Strength

1 Ability to analyze a complex computing problem
2 The lead institution of higher education in Oklahoma and the region

The best in identifying, developing, and implementing information technology-based solutions


Weaknesses

1. Insufficient IT resources to mobilize other institutions in Oklahoma

1. Global cultural barriers
2. Government and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) law restrictions


Opportunities

1. Marketing OSUIT services
2. Technological gap in other institutions in Oklahoma

Government Support


Threats

2. Expensive technology equipment to sustain OSUIT students

1. Technological competition within Oklahoma

(From OSUIT)
Business-level artifact: Swim Lane Process Diagram (B-2)
The swim lane is an efficient and comprehensive component in the processes of EA implementation. "Another method for showing business process is a "swim lane" diagram that shows activities in horizontal rows to identify areas of responsibility for those activities" (Bernard, 2020. 156). Notably, Swim lane allocates roles to individuals in a particular process. In addition, this allocation enables the organization to identify individuals to who it assigns a specific role in the EA implementation plan.
Figure 1: Swim Lane Process Diagram