Organizations are finding that computer systems are very complex and seldom do these systems produce a real business value to the organization (Session, 2007). Businesses are searching for an answer and that answer may be for an organizational to develop an enterprise architecture (EA). The complexity and constant change that occurs in business may be controlled by developing an EA, and this will facilitate alignment between the business objectives, business processes, and information systems (Ylim & Halttunenb, 2007). This may reduce the redundancies of system functions, the data redundancies that exist, and help to integrate the data into meaningful information for various levels within the organization. Developing a useable EA is no easy task, but using one of the available frameworks should help to accomplish this task. The framework provides guidelines for the documentation that needs to be considered and present in an Enterprise Architecture (Bernard, 2005).
There are many frameworks available today, but one of the oldest and one that is currently in use is the Zachman Framework produced by John Zachman. This framework offers benefits and has limitations as well. One other framework will be compared to Zachman’s, which is The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). Each framework will be described along with various terms that need to be clarified. In the end, it will become clear that an organization may best be severed by taking the best aspects of various frameworks and combining these attributes into an organization own framework. To begin, each framework will be described, definitions of key terms presented, and a detailed discussion presented.
Framework Descriptions and Definitions of Terms
The Zachman ...
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... with baseball models. Retrieved from https://worldclass.regis.edu/AngelUploads/Content/SP_XIN_MI_MSCC630_XP70_11M8W2/_assoc/9234AC6CDD984942904CE4FB3479D79B/E5629B3C799FE0118D630019B9E69F4B/Zachman%20Framework%20-%20Baseball.pdf
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One methodology that may assist here is business architecture, a blueprint of the business that supports aligning strategic objectives and tactical demands. 7.
Stage 3 involves creating an Architectural Model version of the whole system including sub systems. A Viewpoint Hierarchy shows a skeleton version of the system which can be ins...
A framework is a set of classes that supports reuse at larger granularity. It defines an object-oriented abstract design for a particular kind of application which enables not only source code reuse, but also design reuse [Johnson & Foote, 1988]. The framework abstract structure can be filled with classes from its own library or application-specific ones, providing flexibility for the developer to adapt its behavior to each application. Besides flexibility, a good framework also increases the team productivity and makes application maintenance easier [Fayad et al. 1999].
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The Zachman framework is an enterprise architecture framework that does provide a formal and also highly structured way of viewing and also defining an enterprise or organization. This architecture framework usually have a two dimensional classification matrix of 36 cells that is usually based on the intersection of six kind of communication questions in its columns (where, what, why, when, who and how) with six rows levels of reification (Scope, technology model, business model, system model, components and working system) and actively transforming most difficult ideas into a more concrete ideas (Fishman, 2003). The matrix of this framework usually constitutes the overall set of descriptive representations which are relevant for describing something in an enterprise or organization. Therefore in real sense, Zachman framework is really a logical structure which is intended to give an overall representation of an IT enterprise. This architecture framework usually allow uses of multiple perspectives and also categorization of business artifacts. Zachman framework is therefore used by various level of management to gather and refine principles mostly from the older methods and then restructuring them into new ideas based on the business strategies and objectives (Ramadan, 2003). This framework usually incorporates independent tools and methods that are usually used by IT.
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It is generally accepted that information is a vital commodity for the successful operation of today’s organizations. Nowadays modern business organizations are using computerized information systems in order to obtain such information. However as the technology advances rapidly the main issue is how can an organization should effectively use such an information system - which its management sometimes can be unpredictable - in order to effectively help the whole organization structure to improve and take the most out of it.
Organizational structure within an organization is a critical component of the day to day operations of a business. An organization benefits from organizational structure as a result of all it encompasses. It is used to define how tasks are divided, grouped and coordinated. Six elements should be addressed during the design of the organization’s structure: work specialization, departmentalization, chain of command, spans of control, centralization and decentralization. These components are a direct reflection of the organization’s culture, power and politics.
Organizations can be configured in many different ways. Their overall classifications can be summarized by characteristics of complexity within the system, the level of formalization, and the centralization of decision-making power. The structure of each organization is influenced by many factors. Such factors include; the goods and services provided, the overall individuality of the staff providing the service and producing the products. The overall beliefs and values of the individuals performing the services that are being delivered, the technology that is utilized to help deliver the services and aid in product production, as well as the needs, desires, and generalized characteristics of the consumer population that requires or demand the product or service. (Yoder-Wise, 2007, p. 145) The organization will have different operating priorities based on its ownership. The main goal behind most business is to make money. The private owned institution strives to make its shareholders money, while a non-profit institution reinvests all of its revenue back into the orga...
Understanding the structure of an organization plays a vital role in laying the blueprint for how a company will be managed and organized. It provides a well-defined framework that outlines the roles and responsibilities of each employee in a particular company. It shows how each employee interacts and works one another in achieving the goals of a company. In other words, organizational structure is a reflection of the working relationships that govern the workflow of the company. It has a profound effect on a company’s structural dimensions, which includes formalization, specialization, hierarchy and centralization.
In modern days, organizational architecture plays a key role in order to allow companies to get success in the market. Organizational architecture, also known as organizational structure, defines as a structure that where the specific company whether works roles, decision making or responsibility are centralized, delegated or coordinated. The organizational structure also identify how the information from level to level within the company. IKEA is one of the international famous firms that designs and produces home furniture such as bed frames and desks. The company also is the leader in retailing furniture and has become the largest furniture retailer over the globe. Therefore the structure of a company is an important factor to achieve a rapidly growth. This paper aimed to describe the IKEA’s organizational architecture and provide analysis that whether any recommendations or changes have to make based on current information.
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E-business is a wider concept that takes into account all the aspects of use of information technology in business. Apart from buying and selling, it also includes servicing customers, collaboration with business partners, and engages incorporation across business processes and communication within the organisation (Rowley, 2002)