Inspired pioneered the use of meta model driven EA Frameworks from the early 1990’s, providing one of the earliest integrated EA frameworks across business, applications, information and technology. The meta model driven approach has many advantages, including:
Clear definition of concepts so they are consistently used across definitions, documents, models and stakeholder communities
Facilitates integration of information from different domains and gathered by different analysts
Eases scoping of EA Assignments by allowing rapid identification of data required to answer critical questions
Integrates models from different perspectives to provide rigour, identify gaps and provide more insights without more effort
Captures much higher semantic content (meaning) than unstructured document based approaches
Over the years we have refined and extended this framework, incorporating ideas required by many (>70) client assignments/implementations as well as emerging thinking from other frameworks and languages, including IAF, TOGAF, FEAF, Zachman, Archimate, PEAF and others. Other extensions added Application Portfolio Management (APM), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Programme Management into the mix. This was supported by academic work in integrated frameworks, collaborative modelling and meta modelling.
Associated tooling, in the form of EVA, provided support for a central repository accessible to all stakeholders via the web and desktop modelling component. EVA grew in capabilities too, to support planning via Canvasses (ala Osterwalder ), customised portals (e.g. for APM) and sophisticated visualisations to gain new insights.
Graham McLeod has been conducting research (including towards a PhD ) on integration of methods, meta models and visual languages for a number of years. With colleagues, especially Charles Edwards, he now introduces a new, integrated, comprehensive and holistic meta model supporting strategy, enterprise architecture (business, process, security, information, technology domains) as well as the aspect of organisational change (motivations, programmes, projects etc. ). The meta model is mapped to a consistent visual language that is suitable for use with all stakeholders.
The new framework, meta models and visual language are already finding its first application in client projects and are proving very capable and effort effective.
If you would like to know more, please contact us using this form.
IAF = Integrated Architecture Framework from Cap Gemini
TOGAF™ = The Open Group Architecture Framework from the Open Group
FEAF = Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework from the US Government
Zachman = Zachman Frameworks from John Zachman and the Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement
Archimate™ = Archimate EA Modeling Language from the Open Group
PEAF = Pragmatic EA Framework from Kevin Lee Smith
EVA = Enterprise Value Architect from Inspired