Business Architecture

As mentioned before, EA starts with the Business and typically EA work should start at the Business level of an EA Framework. Although generally IT people are less concerned with this layer (sadly!!), it is worthwhile making some statements about Business Architecture before we continue with other layers within the framework (more familiar territory…).
IT’s greatest contribution can be achieved by starting with the business strategy in order to leverage available technology and other resources. Some important items that should be included in Business Architecture are: 1) the enterprise value chain (what the organization does to deliver value to its shareholders, etc.), 2) the major business processes that are performed to deliver the value, 3) the primary business functions performed within the processes, and 4) the primary supporting application systems in place. From the applications can then follow the supporting Information and Infrastructure Architectures.