Fundamentals of Enterprise Architecture

Chapter 11. Evolution over Frameworks

The fourth and final enterprise architecture principle in the very short manifesto for effective enterprise architecture is evolution over frameworks.

It should not be a surprise that in a book full of frameworks that I consider frameworks to be very useful tools. Software development frameworks are typically great starting points that accelerate development through reuse of common elements and reduction of errors. Architecture frameworks help streamline processes, enable consistent output, and provide efficient reuse.

There are well-known enterprise architecture frameworks such as the Zachman Framework, TOGAF, and Open Agile Architecture, and specialized ones like the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) that define foundational processes, templates, and tools such as reference models. In general, there is typically much more advantage in reusing frameworks than there is in recreating them. Why, then, do I state that evolution is more valuable than frameworks? There are two reasons.

The first has to do with responding effectively to change. In biology, evolution is how species of animals and plants change over time based on natural selection. Environments change, and natural selection is the process by which organisms that adapt to their environment are the ones that survive.

Similar to natural environments, technology is constantly changing. As a result, any enterprise architecture function needs to be able to adapt and stay ...