This arcticle is based on the idea of describing the business in different levels. Read more about the concept of levels here.
The well known thinker who is the biggest advocate of levels is John Zachman (information about Zachman Framework), but even Archimate uses the concept of levels when they describe the benefits of enterprise architecture from different perspectives:
- Design
- Make A Decision
- Inform
Archimate uses an image which sometimes is called ''screw-nut'' to geographically describe the perspective and levels:
Archimate uses this image in version 2.0 but for some reason has removed it from the version 3.0.
Here is the full descriptions from Archimate:
In the following, we have gathered, grouped and translated the benefits. For more general benefits of EA, we'd recommend to check out "Why Enterprise Architecture" which is a brilliant introduction to the subject.
Design-related Benefits of Architecture
Comprehensive
- Improves the collaboration and communication between the business and IT-suppliers, in SKB, as well as towards external parties.
Context
- Reaches effectivity in the integration (business, process, IT) in SKB, as well as towards external parties.
- Develops and/or advances new services
Details
- Identifies the opportunities for reusing of processes, information and IT
- High information quality (data quality)
- More effective/higher quality in the requirement setting for IT/process/service
Decision-related benefits of Architecture
Comprehensive
- Accomplishes consequence analysis of streamlinings (organizational, product, IT-wise)
- Clarifies for the revision and monitoring authorities how we are compatible in accordance to frameworks and regulations.
Context
- Enables to follow up effectivity/cost in processes
- Identifies processes/IT-services which are suitable for ''outsource'' and/or ''insource'' (alt. ”make or buy”)
Information-related Benefits of Architecture
Comprehensive
- Gives a totally mutual overview of the business in SKB
Context
- Educates personnels and other stakeholders in how SKB functions
Details
- Describe/publish roles and responsibilities regarding processes, services and information