Purpose

The Architecture Description or Enterprise Architecture Description is the top level design of a living Enterprise. This architecture identifies the, organizations, people, activities / decisions, tools / workspace, measurements / rewards, structure, and plans for the Enterprise and the relationships among all of these elements.

This Enterprise (SoS) Architecture Description Framework provides the design of an inclusive and holistic Architecture Description for a specific Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS). This Architecture Description Framework provides the guidance for the team responsible for the creation of the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description and it's subsequent implementation and maintenance of this design.

Enterprise Transformation and Change Overview of Conceptual Model

The purpose of the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description is to enable managers to:

  • Guide the implementation and evolution of the organization towards achieving the vision.
  • Make the easy work easy.
  • Create an environment for all members of the organization to achieve their own objectives
  • Ensure that all stakeholders can see their concerns represented in the top level design of the organization.
  • Contribute to society, the economy and the individual
  • Create an implementation plan to move to the improved organization.

This Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description contains the top level design of the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) necessary to achieve the Enterprise purpose. The Enterprise (SoS) Architecture Description Framework provides the guidance that:

  • Identifies the guiding principles for constructing the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS)
  • Identifies the essential elements of the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) and their relationships and interaction.
  • Identifies the terminology used to describe the architecture of the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS).
  • Provides holistic and inclusive representation of an organization.
  • Identifies which parts can be tailored for an organization.
  • Identifies the interfaces to 'Information Systems'.
  • Is constructed using Systems Thinking principles.

Value

This Enterprise (SoS) Architecture Description Framework is used to create an Architecture Description for a Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS).

The Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description must be owned, used and improved by the specific Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS). This requires the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description to be seen as having value to the entire organization. To achieve this use across the organization, the Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description must enable managers to:

  • Eliminate unnecessary duplication and waste of resources
  • Reduce time to make changes to the living organization
  • Ensure that all stakeholders feel that their concerns have been met.
  • Ensure a positive corporate culture emerges that supports the people contribute and achieve their objectives
  • Ensure that there is a sustainable future for the organization.
  • Make the easy work easy
  • Establish a common language
  • Sense and respond to changes in the organizations environment
  • Promote team working and collaboration across the organization.
  • Improve efficiency and effectiveness (save time / money)
  • Improve time to market
  • Create an environment of innovation.

Audience

The audience for the Enterprise (SoS) Architecture Description Framework is the team responsible for establishing, implementing and maintaining an Architecture Description for a specific Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS).

The initial activities to establish the team to create the basic Enterprise as a System of Systems (SoS) Architecture Description (and sub-systems) are described in this document.  This team consists of contributions of many parts of the organization (HR (OD), IT (EA), Quality(QM), Finance (Planning), Portfolio, Programme, and Project Management(Business Change), and management.

The completed Architecture Description will include all of the specific views for each of the viewpoints identified in this document based upon this Enterprise (SoS) Architecture Description Framework.