Our IT Architecture framework addresses the basic IT architectures: Application, Data, and Technology Infrastructure. But in addition, we’ve added Access, Systems Integrity and Enabling Technologies.
For each architecture we first document the current state and identify issues that need to be addressed. Documenting the current state architectures can also be a good tool in educating management about the state of IT and securing funding for improvement.
We then work with our clients to define the future state architectures that are required to fulfil the IT strategy and business goals.
The gap analysis between the current and future states will help define the projects, and their priorities, that are required for IT to move forward in implementing its strategy.
Another important concept is that IT architectures have different representation levels (i.e., planning, design, implementation), and different perspectives (i.e., owner, designer, builder). This is consistent with the “Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture”.