Zachman Enterprise Framework

A widely Accepted Framework for Enterprise Architecture

Jul 31, 2007 Warren Singer

A framework providing a formal and structured way of defining an enterprise's architecture

The Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture and Information Systems Architecture was created by John Zachman at IBM in the 1980s.

The framework borrows from business design principles in architecture and manufacturing, and provides a means of classifying an organisation’s architecture. It draws on Zachman’s experience of how change is managed in complex products such as aircraft and buildings.

A framework for Managing Change

In today’s complex business environments, many large organisations have great difficulty responding to change. Part of this difficulty is due to a lack of internal understanding of other areas of the organisation, where legacy information about the business is locked away in the minds of specific employees or business units.

The framework provides a proactive business tool, which can be used to model an organisation’s existing functions, elements and processes - and help manage business change. It can also be used a thinking tool, to help organisations understand complex issues and develop appropriate business strategies.

The framework can be used for information systems architecture (ISA) and is widely adopted by systems analysts and database designers. However, John Zachman has stressed that it extends to the entire enterprise architecture, and is not restricted to information architecture.

The Zachman enterprise architecture framework is promoted by ZIFA (Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement). Other enterprise frameworks have been derived from it, such as the Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF), The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), and the Department of Defence Architecture Framework (DoDAF).

The framework has been employed in many large organisations, such as Volkswagen, General Motors, Bank of America and Health Canada.

The Zachman framework is now in the public domain and can be used by any organisation. If you want to purchase a poster-size version or need further help, this can be found on the ZIFA website www.zifa.com

How it Works

The Zachman framework is a classification schema, represented visually as a table with columns and rows.

Each cell within the schema provides a unique model or representation of the enterprise. The information in each row of the schema provides a unique perspective of the enterprise.

Each cell in the schema must be aligned with the cells immediately above and below it. All the cells in each row must also be aligned with each other. Each cell is unique. Combining the cells in one row forms a complete description of the enterprise from that view.

Schema Columns

The columns represent the interrogatives or questions that are asked of the enterprise. These are:

  • What (data)–what is the business data or business information?
  • How (function)–how does the business work, i.e. what are the business’ processes?
  • Where (network)–where are the businesses operations?
  • Who (people)–who are the people that run the business, what are the business units and their hierarchy?
  • When (time)–when are the business processes performed, i.e. what are the business schedules?
  • Why (motivation)–why are the processes, people or locations important to the business, i.e. what are the business drivers or business objectives?

The framework enables complex subjects to be distilled into systematic categories, using these six basic questions. The answers to these questions will differ, depending on the audience perspective (represented in the rows).

Each row represents a distinct view of the organisation, from a unique audience perspective. A row is allocated to each of the following audiences:

Schema Rows

  • Planner–understands the business scope and can offer a contextual view of the enterprise.
  • Owner–understands the business model and can provide a conceptual view of the enterprise.
  • Builder-develops the system model and can provide a logical view of the enterprise.
  • Designer–produces the technology model and can provide a physical view of the enterprise.
  • Integrator (sub-contractor)–understands detailed representations of specific items in the business, although they will have an out-of-context view of the enterprise.
  • User–provides a view of the functioning enterprise, from the perspective of a user (e.g., an employee, partner or customer).

The rows are ordered in a quality assurance sequence.

The copyright of the article Zachman Enterprise Framework in Business Management is owned by Warren Singer. Permission to republish Zachman Enterprise Framework in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.