Enterprise Architecture – Final Term Reviewer

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Lectures 8 through 14 of Enterprise Architecture, including current/future views, management plans, capital planning, project management, security, and repository tools.

What is the primary purpose of the Current View (AS-IS) in Enterprise Architecture?

It shows the IT resources currently active in an enterprise, provides an inventory of existing systems, applications, networks, and infrastructure, and helps identify performance gaps, duplication, and problems.

Which important components and artifacts are associated with the Strategic level of EA?

Strategic Plan, SWOT Analysis, CONOPS, and Balanced Scorecard.

Which important components and artifacts are associated with the Business level of EA?

Business Plan, Swim Lane Diagram, and Business Process Model.

Which important components and artifacts are associated with the Information level of EA?

ERD, DFD, Data Dictionary, and Data Models.

Which important components and artifacts are associated with the Systems & Services level of EA?

Applications, Web Services, and System Interface Diagram.

Which important components and artifacts are associated with the Infrastructure level of EA?

Networks, Servers, Cable Plants, and Network Inventory.

What does an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) show?

Data entities and their relationships.

What does a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) show?

How data moves and is transformed.

What is the role of a Data Dictionary, and what does it NOT do?

It documents data entities, attributes, formats, and relationships; it does NOT store actual data.

What is stored in an Object Library?

Reusable objects, including code modules.

How is Polymorphism defined in object concepts?

Different object behaviors through a common type.

How is Inheritance defined in object concepts?

Attributes and behaviors passed from parent to child objects.

How is Encapsulation defined in object concepts?

Hides and protects an object's internal code and data.

What is an EA Change Request (EACR)?

A standardized process for requesting documentation changes in the EA.

What is the Future View (TO-BE) in Enterprise Architecture?

A view that shows IT resources expected to be active in the future, supports resource planning and decision-making, and shows planned changes in systems, processes, applications, and networks.

How do the Current View and Future View compare across key characteristics?

Current View represents AS-IS, existing resources, present condition, and identifies current gaps; Future View represents TO-BE, planned resources, desired future condition, and shows planned improvements.

What is a Concept of Operations (CONOPS)?

A document that identifies possible operating scenarios and planning assumptions using internal and external factors from SWOT Analysis to help enterprises prepare for good and bad situations.

What are the four changes that can occur to business services?

1. Introduction of a new process
2. Elimination of an existing process
3. Major reengineering of an existing process
4. Minor improvement of an existing process

What is the difference between Strategic Goals and Strategic Initiatives?

Strategic Goals are desired results that support the enterprise's purpose, while Strategic Initiatives are actions or projects used to achieve strategic goals.

What is the difference between Upward Alignment and Downward Alignment?

Upward Alignment means business processes support strategic goals, whereas Downward Alignment means lower EA levels adjust to support business changes.

What is an EA Management Plan?

A living document explaining how an enterprise transitions from its current architecture to its future architecture, which must be regularly updated and archived in the EA repository.

What are the four main parts of the EA Management Plan?

Part 1: EA Program Management Part 2: Current Architecture Summary Part 3: Future Architecture Summary Part 4: Glossary and References

What are the contents of Part 1 (EA Program Management) of the EA Management Plan?

Governance, principles, roles, budget, and performance measures.

What are the contents of Part 2 (Current Architecture Summary) of the EA Management Plan?

Current goals, services, systems, infrastructure, security, standards, and workforce.

What are the contents of Part 3 (Future Architecture Summary) of the EA Management Plan?

Future scenarios, assumptions, updates, sequencing, and configuration management.

What is Configuration Management (CM) in Enterprise Architecture?

Standardized management and review of EA changes.

What is the function of a Sequencing Plan?

Lists tasks, milestones, and timeframes for implementation.

How do Outcome Measures differ from Output Measures?

Outcome Measures evaluate results or progress toward a desired end-state and can be quantitative and qualitative; Output Measures evaluate activities and produced outputs and are usually quantitative.

What are the key responsibilities of the Sponsor, CIO, Chief Architect, and Line of Business Manager?

Sponsor: Champions the EA program and provides resources. CIO: Leads EA executive decision-making and governance. Chief Architect: Manages the EA program and documentation. Line of Business Manager: Identifies IT requirements and solutions for each LOB.

What is Capital Planning?

The process of planning, selecting, controlling, and evaluating investments in enterprise resources.

What are the four phases of Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC) in order?

1. Planning Phase
2. Selection Phase
3. Control Phase
4. Evaluation Phase

What happens during the CPIC Planning Phase and Selection Phase?

Planning Phase: Identify requirements, performance gaps, business cases, and project plans. Selection Phase: Decide which proposed investments will receive funding.

What happens during the CPIC Control Phase and Evaluation Phase?

Control Phase: Monitor project costs, schedules, performance milestones, and risks. Evaluation Phase: Review completed projects through Post-Implementation Review (PIR) and check continuing value.

What are the five primary aspects of project management?

1. Scope
2. Cost
3. Schedule
4. Performance
5. Risk

What is the difference between a Project and a Program?

A Project is a temporary endeavor that creates a unique product, service, or result, whereas a Program is an ongoing endeavor that manages processes/resources or oversees related projects.

What is Opportunity Cost?

The value of the alternative use of resources that was not selected.

How are security and privacy integrated into an Enterprise Architecture?

Security and privacy are integrated into all architectural levels; they are not treated as a separate level.

What are the eight Security and Privacy Program Areas?

1. Governance
2. Operations
3. Personnel
4. Workflow
5. Information
6. Applications
7. Infrastructure
8. Physical

What are the four key elements of security and privacy and their main purposes?

Information Security: Protects information and controls data access. Personnel: User authentication, awareness, and training. Operations: Risk assessment, testing, SOPs, disaster recovery. Physical Protection: Protects buildings, servers, equipment, and facilities.

Why is foolproof security considered impossible?

Because human error and insider access remain threats.

Where is the EA repository recommended to be hosted, and why?

In an online, web-based repository located within the enterprise's internal Local Area Network (LAN) to promote information security and accessibility.

Can a single commercial software tool satisfy all EA activities?

No single commercial software tool can perform all EA activities.

How does EA differ between the Private Sector and the Public Sector?

Private Sector: Driven mainly by profit, EA is optional, and focuses on competitive advantage. Public Sector: Driven mainly by service delivery, EA may be mandated by law, and focuses on public services.

What three major areas of planning does Enterprise Architecture integrate?

Strategic, business, and technology planning.