2 Definitions

To share a clear understanding a few terms need to be defined distinctly from common English usage. The terms below are distinctly defined, and capitalized wherever found. They mean exactly these definitions and nothing else in this document.

2.1 Enterprise

The highest level of description of an organization used to identify the boundary encompassed by the EA and EA Capability.

Note: This definition is deliberately flexible and not associated with an organization’s legal or functional boundaries. It must cover monolithic organizations and extended organizations that include separate organizations connected by a mission or supply chain, as well as operating entities within an organization. Consider an organization that uses outsourced partners to provide manufacturing, logistics, and support; a multi-national peacekeeping force; and a multi-billion-dollar division of a Fortune 50 firm. All are Enterprises.

2.2 Enterprise Architecture (EA)

As the focus of this Guide is to explain the TOGAF framework and the concept of Enterprise Architecture, it is better to define this concept in some detail. Succinct definitions tend to require specialized knowledge to understand the nuance. See Chapter 3 for a discussion of EA.

Two concise definitions that can be used are from Gartner and DoDAF. Gartner[4] defines Enterprise Architecture as: “the process of translating business vision and strategy into effective Enterprise change by creating, communicating, and improving the key principles and models that describe the Enterprise’s future state and enable its evolution”. DoDAF defines architecture as: “a set of abstractions and models that simplify and communicate complex structures, processes, rules, and constraints to improve understanding, implementation, forecasting, and resourcing”.

While many in the EA profession find distinguishing the terms “architecture” and “architecture description” useful, this document does not make any such distinction.

2.3 Practitioner

The person tasked to develop, maintain, and use an Enterprise Architecture.

Note: This term reflects the role, rather than one of the myriad job titles that may apply.

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