Enterprise Architecture Principles as Values

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Mohammad Esmaeil Zadeh, Edward Lewis, Gary Millar

Abstract

Although Enterprise Architecture Principles (EAPs) are important parts of several Enterprise Architecture (EA) frameworks, there are difficulties in their derivation and use. As a foundation for a broader research in developing a set of generic EAPs, this paper aims to discover the notion of EAPs conceptually and to find a way of structuring them systematically. For this purpose, the variety in the definitions of EA is stated and a new definition is given to clarify its scope more precisely. Then different thoughts in the notion of EAPs are investigated to find their features and shortages. Finally, by introducing the concept of values, a new definition of EAPs as values is proposed. This definition leads to the use of the work done in the field of values and governance to investigate, tidy up and classify the existing principles.

Keywords

Enterprise Architecture, Principles, Values.

About the Authors

Mohammad Esmaeil Zadeh is a PhD student at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy. Mohammad has several years of professional and managerial work experience in the telecommunication and IT sectors. His current area of research investigates the application of viable systems theory to IT governance and Enterprise Architecture. Mohammad Esmaeil Zadeh can be reached at m.esmaeilzadeh@student.adfa.edu.au.

Edward Lewis is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy. For 35 years he has been carrying out research and providing consultancy services into strategy and policy planning, Enterprise Architecture, and risk management. He has chaired the Australian and international standards committees that produced ISO/IEC 38500: 2008 Corporate governance of information technology. Edward Lewis can be reached at e.lewis@adfa.edu.au.

Gary Millar is a lecturer at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy. His primary research and consultancy work lie in the area of IT Governance. He developed the Viable Governance Model (VGM) which specifies a comprehensive blueprint for establishing governance structures, processes and mechanisms in complex corporations. He has also developed IT strategic plans, formulated IT policies, and managed large IT projects within the government sector. Gary Millar can be reached at g.millar@adfa.edu.au.

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