A model for evaluation of enterprise architecture quality

Area of Science:

• Information Technology Management
• Systems Engineering

Background:

• Enterprise Architecture (EA) is crucial for aligning IT with organizational vision and managing information technology effectively.
• Organizations require robust methods to assess the quality and impact of their EA initiatives.
• Existing frameworks may lack comprehensive metrics for evaluating EA's current state and potential for improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and define key quality attributes for Enterprise Architecture (EA).
• To develop measurable indicators for evaluating the quality of EA within organizations.
• To present a comprehensive EA evaluation model for organizational assessment and enhancement.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research was employed.
• Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was used to identify initial EA evaluation indicators.
• Survey data, analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), validated the indicators and attributes.

Main Results:

• Seven primary EA quality attributes were identified: alignment and integrity, quality of EA products and services, security, maintainability and portability, reliability, reusability, and scalability.
• A total of 30 specific indicators were developed to comprehensively assess EA quality.
• A validated EA evaluation model was established, suitable for assessing both implemented EA and the 'as-is' state.

Conclusions:

• The developed EA evaluation model provides a structured approach for organizations to measure EA quality.
• Organizations can utilize this model to identify areas for improvement in their EA practices.
• Effective EA evaluation is essential for maximizing the benefits of IT investments and achieving organizational goals.