Corporate Architecture Engineering: A methodological approach

This research defines a method for a new engineering discipline: corporate architecture engineering. This method supports corporate architecture teams with the development, maintenance and use of a corporate architecture. The purpose of corporate architecture is to regain control over the complexity that occurs on the corporate level of organizations in which a diverse collection of infrastructures, applications, products, processes, and policies are defined and implemented at different times and locations. If architects appreciate using a corporate architecture registry (CAR) that ensures compliance with corporate norms, then the corporation is in a position to enforce those norms by requiring that the CAR be used. The definition of a method contributes to a larger project, MAD, which aims at supporting architecture teams with a tool, a mechanism to verify compliance with corporate norms, and a modeling approach for corporate architecture. Corporate architecture provides architecture teams with a shared language and supports individual architects with a way of working that improves designs and saves time. Corporate architecture is the basis on which an organization defines its innovation policies and guidelines. Shared language is required for architects who collaborate in architecture teams. Architects think in terms of concepts, which they use or invent in order to define solutions for practical problems. MAD supports a precise way of conceptual thinking. Architects can learn about existing architectures in a corporate architecture registry (CAR) and they can publish their newly defined architecture in the same CAR. A Corporate Architecture Engineering Method (CAEM) is an integrated collection of procedures, techniques, product descriptions, and tools, for effective, efficient, and consistent support of the Corporate Architecture Engineering process. In this report a methodological framework for corporate architecture engineering is presented. This methodological framework defines a way in which architectural knowledge can be modeled, what approach can be followed in developing a corporate architecture, and how corporate architecture engineering can be controlled.