Business architecture
Business architecture defines the strategy, governance, organization, and key business processes of an enterprise. It maps relationships between operational hierarchies, policies, capabilities, and strategic initiatives. The discipline emerged in the 1980s and developed into a practice of cross-organizational design closely related to enterprise architecture.[1] The Business Architecture Guild, founded in late 2010, established formal standards through A Guide to the Business Architecture Body of Knowledge (BIZBOK).
Historical development
John Zachman developed the first widely recognized enterprise architecture framework in 1987 while working at IBM. His ontology classifies descriptive representations using six primitives: who, what, why, when, where, and how. Zachman is considered the pioneer of EA frameworks.
In 1990, Zachman partnered with Samuel Holcman to found the Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement. The institute was dissolved in 2008. Holcman subsequently established the Enterprise and Business Architecture Center of Excellence.
The Open Group released TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) in 1995. By 2016, 80% of Global 50 companies and 60% of Fortune 500 companies used this framework.[2] TOGAF 10, the latest version, launched on April 25, 2022.
The Business Architecture Guild opened membership in fall 2011 alongside the initial BIZBOK release. In 2014, the Guild merged with the Business Architecture Association, consolidating certification programs. BIZBOK is now at version 13.
Position within enterprise architecture
TOGAF identifies four architecture domains. Business architecture serves as the foundation for the other three domains.
The four domains
- Business Architecture: Maps business strategy, governance, organization, and key processes
- Data Architecture: Describes the structure of logical and physical data assets
- Application Architecture: Provides blueprints for system deployment and interactions
- Technology Architecture: Defines platforms, services, and infrastructure components
The Architecture Development Method (ADM), central to TOGAF, establishes business architecture development as a prerequisite for other domains. As Phase B states: "A knowledge of the Business Architecture is a prerequisite for architecture work in any other domain."
Core components
BIZBOK identifies four foundational domains that remain relatively stable compared to other business aspects.
Capability mapping
Capabilities describe what a business does, not how it does it. They represent stable abilities that persist despite organizational restructuring or technology changes. A capability map provides a complete view of business functions.
Value streams
Value streams trace how value is created and delivered to stakeholders. They connect customer needs to delivered outcomes. Each stream contains stages that add value progressively.
Organization mapping
This domain documents organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities. It shows how capabilities distribute across business units and geographic locations.
Information architecture
Information objects support business operations and decision-making. This domain identifies what information the business needs rather than how systems manage data.
Benefits and applications
Business architecture bridges gaps between business and IT by aligning technology strategies with business goals. Organizations make better-informed decisions about investments and priorities. IT-business integration becomes more effective.
Common applications include:
- Strategy execution and transformation planning
- Merger and acquisition integration
- Operating model design
- Digital transformation programs
- Regulatory compliance initiatives
Frameworks comparison
Different frameworks serve different purposes. Zachman provides theoretical depth and detailed classification. TOGAF offers practical methodology with comprehensive guidance. BIZBOK focuses specifically on business strategy alignment.
Government frameworks also exist. The Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF) guides U.S. federal agencies. The Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) addresses military and defense requirements. Each framework reflects the needs of its target audience.
Implementation challenges
Organizations often struggle to connect architecture artifacts to practical decisions. Abstract models fail to resonate with business stakeholders who lack technical backgrounds. Successful implementations translate architectural concepts into business language.
Maintaining architecture documentation requires ongoing effort. Outdated artifacts mislead rather than inform. Governance processes must ensure regular updates as the business evolves.
{{{Concept}}} Primary topic {{{list1}}} Related topics {{{list2}}} Methods and techniques {{{list3}}}
References
- Business Architecture Guild (2023). BIZBOK Guide Version 13. Business Architecture Guild.
- The Open Group (2022). TOGAF Standard Version 10. The Open Group.
- Zachman, J.A. (1987). A Framework for Information Systems Architecture. IBM Systems Journal, 26(3), 276-292.
Footnotes
- Business architecture origins documented in academic literature from the 1980s onward.
- The Open Group TOGAF adoption statistics, reported 2016.