An effective Enterprise Architecture Implementation Methodology

Abstract

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a holistic strategy that is commonly used to improve the alignment of enterprise's business and Information Technology. Enterprise Architecture Implementation Methodology (EAIM) prepares a set of methods and practices for developing, managing, and maintaining an EA implementation project. There is ineffectiveness in existing EAIMs due to complexities emerging from EAIM practices, models, factors, and strategy. Consequently, EA projects may encounter lack of support in the following areas: requirements analysis, governance and evaluation, guideline for implementation, and continual improvement of EA implementation. The aim of this research is to develop an effective EAIM to support EA implementation. To fulfill this objective, the first step is to identify effective EA implementation practices and the factors that impact the effectiveness of EAIM. In this regard, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted in order to identify the effective practices and factors of EAIM. Secondly, the proposed EAIM is developed based on the foundations and information extracted from the SLR and semi-structured interviews with EA practitioners. Finally, the proposed EAIM is evaluated by means of case study as the research methodology. The target audience for this research is twofold: (1) researchers who would extend the effective EA implementation and continue this research topic with further analysis and exploration; (2) practitioners who would like to employ an effective and lightweight EAIM for an EA project.