Methodology for the selection of enterprise architects in support of EA project execution

Abstract

The research field of this research study is the enterprise architecture discipline. Enterprise architecture (EA) was initiated as a discipline in the late 1980s with Zachman’s article that describes a framework for information systems architecture. Since then, EA has become an ever-developing discipline. Its scope, broadened from being information systems focused to including all facets of the organisation and the environment in which the organisation operates. However, consensus on a single description of EA has not been reached yet. There are many different understandings of what EA entails. Yet, organisations invest large amounts of time and money in EA initiatives. Different types of EA work achieve divergent goals as determined by organisations. A result of the different ideas of what EA entails is that enterprise architects have different understandings of EA. The view that an enterprise architect has of EA is referred to as the architect’s EA profile. An architect’s EA profile influences the way that the architect approaches EA work. Enterprise architects with different EA profiles will produce different EA deliverables for the same stakeholder requirement. It is thus crucial that the EA profile of enterprise architects, assigned to EA projects, be aligned with the type of EA work to ensure that the organisation’s goals are achieved. Therefore, the emphasis is on the appropriate selection of enterprise architects for EA project execution. This research study developed a methodology for the selection of enterprise architects in support of EA project execution. An EA project type classification framework is mapped to an EA profile classification framework with guidelines to classify an EA project. To evaluate the methodology for the selection of enterprise architects in support of EA project execution, a set of measurement criteria was developed. A secondary use of the measurement criteria was discovered; it is suggested as a valuable guideline to EA project managers as it highlights areas where enterprise architects’ views on EA affect project success. This research followed a design science research strategy, with specific implementation of the design science research process (DSRP) developed by Peffers et al. (2006). The framework for the evaluation of design science (FEDS) research guided the evaluation of the designed and developed artefact.