Enterprise Architecture Scope and Focus
Enterprise Architecture and Solution Architecture are both disciplines within the field of information technology and business architecture and part of our Architecture Advisory Services, but they differ in their scope and focus.
1. Scope and Focus:
o Enterprise Architecture: This is a holistic approach that looks at the entire organization. It focuses on aligning business processes, information flows, technology, and stakeholders across the entire enterprise. Enterprise Architecture is concerned with the overall structure and organization of an enterprise, ensuring that all components work cohesively to achieve the organization's goals and objectives.
o Solution Architecture: Solution Architecture has a narrower focus. It deals with the design and implementation of specific solutions to address a particular business problem or opportunity. It is more project-centric or program-centric and concentrates on creating detailed specifications for the implementation of a specific system, application, or multiple applications forming a logical subpart of an IT landscape.
2. Timeframe:
o Enterprise Architecture: This is typically focused on long-term planning and strategy. It looks at the organization's goals over an extended period and aims to provide a framework that supports those objectives and goals. Enterprise Architecture is concerned with maintaining alignment between the business and IT over time and also requires a continuous approach as a company is continuously moving as it adjusts itself towards external factors like market, competitors, disruptors, geopolitical influences, and other turbulent parameters.
o Solution Architecture: Solution Architecture is often more short-term and project-specific or program-specific. It involves designing solutions that meet immediate needs or requirements within a well-predefined scope. Solution architects work on projects or programs and are concerned with ensuring that the specific solution they are working on is well-designed and effectively addresses the requirements.
3. Abstraction Level:
o Enterprise Architecture: Enterprise Architecture operates at a higher level of abstraction. It deals with overarching concepts, principles, and standards that guide the organization. Enterprise Architecture is concerned with creating a blueprint for the entire enterprise's architecture.
o Solution Architecture: Solution Architecture operates at a much lower level of abstraction, dealing with specific technical details, components, and interactions related to a particular solution or solution domain. It involves creating detailed designs that can be used by developers to build a specific system, application, or integrations between applications.