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ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE IN PRACTICE:

3 Day Seminar

Speaker:

Eva Wohlen & Hakan Edvinsson, IRM Consult

"The instructors were very knowledgeable and experienced - an easy to understand method"

Efficient business processes require a well-organised architecture

When improving the critical business processes, the software systems should not be obstructive. A well-organised enterprise architecture prevents this phenomenon.

We apply the Information Resource Management (IRM) strategy from the aspect that information is born in one spot only. The challenge is to capture this resource at once, and only once, and then distribute it to wherever it is needed. The Enterprise Architecture is based on this solid resource and the Enterprise Architect* (EA) fulfils the IRM strategy for efficient IT solutions. The EA supports the IT business towards a model-driven and component based IT process that supplies the business processes with high-quality data.

In practice, this means that there should be only one database where original customer data is stored. Several databases may use this data – because it may be distributed in a controlled way to wherever it is needed. The Enterprise Architect, or the Data Architect, deals with these issues. This Architect values information as a resource and makes sure that the enterprise manages this resource in a professional way.

or Information Architect (IA)

This seminar is aimed primarily at persons who plan to work with information architecture from an enterprise point of view: business managers, business process owners, CIOs, IT managers, information architects, data administrators, system analysts, etc. Previous experience in modelling is preferable since there are a number of exercise sessions.

To gain insight in the need for and the benefits of an Enterprise Architecture. Also how to describe and use it.

Understanding business modeling - how to read the models, how to produce them, and the criteria for high quality.

DAY 1
Object or data modelling is, together with process modelling, the basis in modern systems development. It is the tool that is used to create the models in the "what" column in Zachman’s framework.

We will take you from the basic understanding of what object models are and how a modelling seminar is run to the more advanced level of meta modelling. There will be lots of practical hints and examples along the way.

Visions & Considerations
The need for information architecture in the enterprise
Issues, inhibitors and incentives

The Zachman Framework
A brief description of the Zachman framework. A walk-through of the six dimensions, pointing out the scope of the information architecture.

Object modelling
The basics of data and object modelling
The characteristics of an object
UML – a standard for describing and visualising objects
Good and bad object examples
From models to an application system database
Data Warehouse and OLAP models
Meta models
How to set up and run a workshop where data models are created

DAY 2
The second column in the framework covers the models for how things are done in an enterprise.

We will show you how to identify, analyse and document the enterprise processes and focus on what adds value for the customer.

We will then take you through the architecture process and discuss each activity necessary to create a master plan for supply of information to the enterprise processes.

Process modelling
The basics of process modelling
How to identify the customer values
Successful process management
How to set up and run the workshops where the enterprise processes are described

Matrix modelling
How to identify and describe which information is needed and acquired in the business processes
Continuation of meta modelling

The master plan
The process of describing the information architecture
The content of the master plan report

The facilitator
What it takes to be a good facilitator
Problems and solutions - do’s and dont’s

DAY 3
Once the architecture is described it has to be established and carried out in the real world and all the IT projects have to correspond to the master plan.

We will show how this can be done, discuss the different roles, the activities and the organisation it takes to implement the architecture in your own company.

Again we will focus on the customer values and business alignment - the why column in the Zachman framework.

The IT process
Understanding how system development projects should be planned and carried out to fulfil the information architecture
Quality assurance
The identification of reusable components

What it takes to make it work
Roles, organisation, responsibilities
Different approaches depending on the type of enterprise

Model management
How to take care of, check, store and distribute the models

Business alignment
The awareness of necessary motivation
Business goals and their impact on the architecture
Customer value – the external and internal customer
How the information architecture can support the business

Enterprise Architecture
Speaker: John Zachman, Zachman International
Dates: 24/09/2001 - 25/09/2001 Location: London
Dates: 25/02/2002 - 26/02/2002 Location: London

Hakan Edvinsson

Håkan Edvinsson, senior consultant, IRM Consult AB, Stockholm, Sweden

Håkan has been working with IRM issues for 15 years. First, in systems design and construction, and later on, facilitating workshops with business representatives in order to come up with business models. His main area is object modelling, both in enterprise architecture work and in detailed software systems requirement analysis. He also teaches courses in enterprise architecture, business modelling, and requirement analysis.

Eva Wohlen

Eva Wohlén, senior consultant, IRM Consult AB, Stockholm, Sweden

Eva has a long experience in business modelling in various areas, both as a basis for information architecture and on a more detailed level as part of the requirement process for systems procurement or development. Over the last 15 years Eva has helped several companies in building up their architecture function. She is the instructor of the 12-day enterprise architecture course in Stockholm, which forms the base for this course, as well as other related courses e.g. in facilitation.