Business architecture assessment documents the existing enterprise level functional architecture and contrasts this analysis with strategic business architecture requirements. Specific objectives of this task include:
· Apply bottom-up analysis of current business architecture to support strategic planning efforts
· Identify and document functions performed by business areas of interest
· Assess functional utilization and redundancy across the enterprise
· Document information flows across enterprise business systems
· Assess current enterprise development projects or activity
· Summarize current business architecture analysis results
· Determine variances between current and target business architectures
The entrance criteria for the business architecture assessment task are listed below.
· Unless otherwise indicated by a specific Comsys-TIM scenario, completion of the Enterprise Analysis Planning task
· Completion of Technical Architecture Assessment task or specific steps within that task based on scenario driving this analysis
· Completion of Data Architecture Assessment task or steps within that task based on scenario driving this analysis
Note: Documentation of information flows across business areas requires data architecture assessment.
· Access to management personnel as required to assess and document current business functions
· Senior management sponsorship required to interview staff and complete business architecture analysis
· Understanding of future business requirements to support business architecture transition planning efforts
The personnel and skill requirements necessary to meet the business architecture assessment task objectives are identified below.
· Redevelopment Expert
- Ability to facilitate, analyze and record enterprise level technical architecture assessment issues and results
· IS Management/Executives
- Knowledge of strategic and near term IS goals and ability to set objectives for enterprise redevelopment assessment
· Current Systems Expert
- Subject matter expert(s) with high-level knowledge of current functional coverage for business areas of interest
· Repository Administrator
- Subject matter expert with knowledge of repository modeling techniques
· Data Administrator/DBA
- Ability to identify primary data structures that cross application functional boundaries
· Application Area Manager
- Ability to define application names and functional area boundaries
· User Requirements Analyst
- Knowledge of current and future business requirements and able to rate overall functional system quality
Note: The following role is required for the current to target business architecture variance analysis.
· Enterprise Business Expert
- Knowledge of strategic functional requirements at an enterprise level
The system components and related inputs required to initiate and complete the business architecture assessment task are listed below.
· Enterprise Redevelopment Assessment work plan
· Enterprise Summary Form 040 as completed in Enterprise Analysis Planning and Technical Architecture Assessment tasks
· Completed copy(ies) of Business Area/Data Store Matrix Form 041 from data architecture assessment task
· Blank copy of Business Area/Business Function Matrix Form 042
· Blank copy of Business Area/Project Matrix Form 043
· Available technical assessment results showing relationships between business areas and systems
Optional: Based on use of open repository during technical and data architecture assessment tasks.
· Populated repository containing business area, system and file objects and applicable relationships
Warning: The following deliverables are required to assess current & target business architecture variances:
Target business architecture requirements including the following:
Note: The following inputs may be obtained from the Information Strategy Plan (ISP) information architecture definition:
· Data Flow Diagram (DFD) depicting which data flows from one business system to another
Note: If this DFD was completed for the current enterprise, it will reduce analysis efforts for the Current systems interface analysis step.
· Business Function/Organization Matrix depicting business functions that should ideally be performed by given organizational units or business areas
· Business Systems Architecture Diagram (BSAD) depicting strategic business functions and systems supporting these functions
Note: If a BSAD was completed for current enterprise, it will reduce analysis efforts for Current systems interface analysis step.
Technologies supporting the business architecture assessment task include spreadsheet, open systems repository, strategic planning, data flow diagramming and word processing tools. These tools are used to represent information as required by this task.
Data flow diagramming tool
DFD definition, as applied within this task, supports high-level, cross organizational flows of data between various functional areas. A stand alone DFD tool, in the absence of the integrated strategic planning tools as discussed earlier, supports this analysis.
Open systems repository
A repository provides an important, yet optional, capability to link systems to high-level functions using a formal model. Loading this meta-data into a repository during an enterprise-wide assessment provides an easily referenced, summary view of the current enterprise. It also forms the basis for subsequent analysis and planning efforts in subsequent Comsys-TIM tasks.
Requirements include the ability to reflect system components as objects within the repository model and populate that model from a legacy environment. A recommended legacy transition meta-model supporting this analysis is shown in the Appendix section of the Comsys-TIM product. A secondary, and optional, requirement involves accepting an automated load format based on tools that parse and analyze legacy environments.
Risk assessment tool
In order to accurately assess the business risks associated with the Year 2000 problem, there are many relationships that must be considered. A risk assessment tool can support the mapping of these interdependencies and provide simulation capabilities providing an organization with a practical framework for prioritizing Year 2000 mitigation and testing efforts. Risk assessment tools help assess and plan for Year 2000 problems from a business perspective.
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet tools offer a convenient format for recording much of the information gathered throughout this stage. Comsys-TIM Form 040 has been pre-loaded into certain spreadsheet tools (see the step level tool guidelines for specific tools) to facilitate data entry and analysis. While highly desirable, spreadsheets are not essential to this task.
Strategic planning tool
Steps within this task derive function dependency, data flow diagram and interaction models to represent high-level views of the existing business architecture. I-CASE planning tools support many of these requirements. The tools referenced at the step level of this task, however, reflect the enterprise nature of the task and include planning tools used in business re-engineering or related strategic efforts.
Word processor
Word processing tools support narrative development and supplement form development in the absence of spreadsheet technology.
The business architecture assessment task is comprised of the following task steps:
