Enterprise architecture framework

Overview

The Federated Enterprise Architecture (FEA) Framework is part of a wider work programme. The Framework (i) will facilitate cross-agency analysis and the identification of duplicate investments, gaps and opportunities for collaboration within and across agencies.

Purpose

The purpose of the FEA Framework is:

• To be the basis for dialogue between agencies when they seek to share information, technology and/or business processes. Scoping and design activities will be facilitated by a set of common terms and set of models for describing government activities.
• To provide a framework that allows ultimately a view of Enterprise Architecture for All-of-Government activities - such an Architecture will be federated, in that collaborating agencies will contribute assets, to deliver cross government services.
• To support the ICT Investment Framework and Business Case Process with a set of common terms and set of models for describing government activities. Opportunities to collaborate and share assets will be identified.

Deliverables

The deliverables of the FEA framework will include:

• a common vocabulary, with agreed definition of terms;
• a set of common Models, such as Business, Information/Data, Services and Technology, for describing important elements of the government activities and government systemic capability.
• patterns and standards to facilitate inter-agency collaboration.
• Principlesfor developing:
  • common Models. This will be the responsibility of the SSC Federated Enterprise Architecture Team.
  • common Patterns. This will be the responsibility of the agency Enterprise Architects, with the SSC Federated Enterprise Architecture Team acting as a steward.
  • common Standards. These will be incorporated into e-GIF using e-GIF processes.

Footnote

[i. An architecture framework is a tool which can be used for developing a broad range of different architectures. It describes a method for designing an information system in terms of a set of building blocks, and for showing how the building blocks fit together. It contains a set of tools and provides a common vocabulary. It also includes a list of recommended standards and compliant products that can be used to implement the building blocks. TOGAG 8.1.1 and e-GIF Management Committee.]