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Chris B Behrens

Discover the power of Enterprise Architecture and unlock your organization's full potential with this comprehensive course. Delve into the art of describing the present, envisioning the future, and bridging the gap between the two, using cutting-edge tools and processes.

Embark on a journey to understand TOGAF, the Open Group's renowned framework for achieving organizational missions in large enterprises. Master the art of transitioning from baseline to target architecture, and learn how to assess and navigate the impact of this shift through gap analysis and strategic process implementation.

Read more

Discover the power of Enterprise Architecture and unlock your organization's full potential with this comprehensive course. Delve into the art of describing the present, envisioning the future, and bridging the gap between the two, using cutting-edge tools and processes.

Embark on a journey to understand TOGAF, the Open Group's renowned framework for achieving organizational missions in large enterprises. Master the art of transitioning from baseline to target architecture, and learn how to assess and navigate the impact of this shift through gap analysis and strategic process implementation.

Throughout the course, you'll hear captivating stories from the instructor's own career, as well as insightful case studies in enterprise architecture, including an in-depth analysis of the United States Marine Corps Recruiting system and the Apollo 13 disaster. These real-world examples will help you appreciate the critical role of enterprise architecture in addressing complex challenges and driving success.

Finally, you will learn how to create influential enterprise artifacts that genuinely connect with users. Develop the ability to pinpoint essential elements for inclusion and exclusion, fostering a targeted and streamlined approach to enterprise architecture.

Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your career and become an invaluable asset to your organization. Enroll now and harness the transformative power of enterprise architecture.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Develop a foundational enterprise architecture that serves as the starting point for your organization's growth and transformation
  • Grasp the connection between togaf and your organization's mission, enabling strategic alignment and decision-making
  • Acquire the skills to implement data architecture effectively beyond software contexts, optimizing data management and performance
  • Dive into business architecture and explore various modeling languages, tools, and techniques to analyze and map organizations
  • Delve into data architecture and learn how to design, migrate, and manage data for optimal performance and interoperability
  • Learn from real-life case studies and architectural tales that showcase the power of enterprise architecture in action

Syllabus

Introduction

Let's get started! What this course is about, and basic definition of terms.

Enterprise doesn't mean what you think it means, and the baggage we bring to the term "architecture" may be something we need to leave behind.

Read more

Let's look at what Enterprise Architecture IS by what it's trying to DO.

The most important thing we can do in EA - talk to people about requirements.

This quiz will test your knowledge of the basics of Enterprise Architecture.

We'll look at the basics of TOGAF and introducing the idea of an architecture development method (ADM), the cycle of enterprise architecture.

We'll take a long look at the raison d'etre for enterprise architecture, the management of requirements.

We'll begin at the beginning with establishing a strong architectural vision for the mission.

We'll continue by describing what we have as it is, defining a vision for what could be, and defining the gap between them.

We'll dig into the processes that make our enterprise what it is, and how it gets done what it does.

We'll move onto the practice of identifying where we can go, what we need to avoid, and how to get there.

All of this work will be for nothing if we don't have a plan to make sure that it gets implemented properly and stays implemented properly.

Change is life - if we don't have a plan for change, then we'll simply drift out of sync with the plan and into chaos.

Remember, above all, that these are intended to be a set of tools to work with and not a line-by-line description of how to do your work.

We'll recap the lessons learned in this section.

Let's get our feet wet with one of the most important segments of an EA ADM, Business Architecture.

The most important aspect of an enterprise architecture is that it reflects reality and that it does so over time.

We'll talk about how to select tools, and how NOT to allow our tool selection to define our reality.

We'll dive into the basics of the lingua franca of enterprise architecture, UML.

We'll apply what we've learned to class and activity diagrams.

Moving ahead, we'll tackle one more document type, sequence diagrams, and demonstrate how to document communication and process over time.

Analysis means identifying gaps between the baseline and target architecture, and using the tools we have to communicate that to the audience we have.

We're going to look at how to map your organization and move beyond the limitations of traditional org charts.

Sometimes gap analysis means creating a gap in the target architecture to remove redundant capacity.

We'll take just a few questions to freshen our recollection of the content we've covered so far.

We'll look at another tool for asking and answering questions about how the enterprise functions.

We'll map a non-software application functionally and talk about what that means.

We'll discuss how to validate that our artifacts are legitimate and executable, and not merely abstract, ivory tower documents.

We'll discuss the limits of software documentation, particularly with respect to automatically generated content.

We'll automatically generate some software documentation and look at the problems with it.

Having looked at the wrong way to do it, let's take a look at a more meaningful approach to mapping software applications.

We'll place what we've learned about mapping software applications into action with a demo.

Let's take a look at the value of diagramming your processes in preparation for a demo.

We'll take that process we created before and look at it in light of our entire cycle.

Let's take just a second and look at what we accomplished with so little effort.

We'll look at an application and technology matrix, and what that can tell us about how things work in our enterprise.

We'll look at the TRM graphics that TOGAF recommends, and decide what we think about it.

One of the key aspects in documenting actual applications is defining whether they're business or infrastructure.

We'll perform some analysis on a sample application and arrive at some surprising conclusions.

We'll talk about one of the great virtues of enterprise architecture, interoperability.

Aspiring EAs often arrive on the scene with the baggage of database design experience, so let's make sure we understand what we're talking about.

Let's design the data architecture for our fitness challenge on several levels to see what each can tell us.

We'll talk about the problem of getting data from one place to another in an EA context.

We'll take a moment to document a possible data migration process in GitMind.

Let's look at the idea of data migration in the stricter terms of migrating from baseline to target.

Schema versioning is critical and allows us to create a truly executable specification, in keeping with the Schrodinger's Cat effect of documentation.

We'll talk about a mistake I made at the logical level of data architecture once, and the trouble it caused.

We'll look at an entirely non-software scenario and perform data architecture for patient identification at a disaster site.

We'll look at how one company migrated its security and controls processes to fulfill stringent security requirements for a big client.

What would you do if you had to build a house in twenty-four hours?

We'll look at another story from my career and what happens when nobody has their eye on the big picture at a startup.

We'll take an in-depth look at the causes of the fire which damaged Apollo 13.

We'll zoom in on a particular challenge of Apollo 13 - adapting the carbon dioxide scrubbers that didn't work together.

We'll look at the quadrant of operating models set forth in the book "Enterprise Architecture as Strategy".

I’m an enterprise architect, not an enterprise journalist.

We'll talk about how to implement Enterprise Architecture as a service that people can rely on.

Some significant figures have mounted criticisms of enterprise architecture, and you need to hear them.

One last appear to make your artifacts beautiful, why you should, and a brief introduction to the work of Edward Tufte.

We'll review the course, briefly, and say thanks and good luck.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores TOGAF, a widely recognized framework, providing a strong foundation for understanding enterprise architecture methodologies and best practices that are currently used in the field
Uses real-world case studies, such as the United States Marine Corps Recruiting system and the Apollo 13 disaster, to illustrate the practical application of enterprise architecture principles
Covers business architecture, data architecture, and infrastructure, providing a holistic view of enterprise architecture domains and their interdependencies, which is useful for learners
Requires learners to understand UML, which may require additional learning for those unfamiliar with the modeling language, but is a standard in the field
Includes stories from the instructor's career, which may offer valuable insights but could also be limited in generalizability to other organizational contexts

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Reviews summary

Practical enterprise architecture foundations with examples

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to Enterprise Architecture concepts, particularly covering the basics of the TOGAF framework. Students appreciate the instructor's engaging style and real-world stories, which help to illustrate complex ideas through practical examples. The case studies, including well-known events like Apollo 13, are highlighted as memorable and insightful. While many find it excellent for beginners seeking a foundational understanding, some more experienced students feel the content can occasionally lack depth in specific areas. Overall, reviewers find it a valuable starting point for understanding EA principles and their application.
Structure is clear and pacing works for basics.
"I found the modules were well-organized and easy to follow."
"Each lesson felt digestible, which was good for grasping the concepts."
"I felt sometimes the course rushed through some complex topics a bit too quickly."
Provides a good overview of TOGAF basics.
"This course helped me understand the basics of TOGAF."
"It's a good starting point for learning the EA framework."
"I feel I now have a better grasp of the ADM cycle after this."
Real-world examples and case studies helpful.
"I loved the Apollo 13 and USMC examples; they were memorable."
"The case studies really make the concepts stick in my mind."
"Using real-life scenarios made the concepts much easier to grasp."
Instructor's style and stories highly engaging.
"The instructor does a great job of explaining complex topics with real-world examples..."
"His stories kept me engaged throughout the course."
"I found the instructor's passion for the subject really comes through."
Good overview, but could use more depth.
"This course is great for beginners, but felt a bit too basic for me as an experienced EA."
"I wished there was more detail on specific tools and advanced techniques."
"It covers a lot of ground quickly, but doesn't go very deep into each topic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Enterprise Architecture by Example with these activities:
Review 'Enterprise Architecture as Strategy'
Understand the strategic alignment of enterprise architecture with business goals by studying key concepts and frameworks.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Enterprise Architecture as Strategy'.
  • Summarize the key concepts and operating models.
  • Relate the concepts to your organization's strategy.
Review UML Diagrams
Strengthen your understanding of UML diagrams, a key modeling language used in enterprise architecture, to better grasp business processes and system designs.
Show steps
  • Review the basics of UML diagrams.
  • Practice creating class, activity, and sequence diagrams.
  • Relate UML diagrams to enterprise architecture concepts.
Model Your Organization's Business Architecture
Apply the concepts learned in the course by modeling your own organization's business architecture, including processes, data flows, and applications.
Show steps
  • Identify key business processes in your organization.
  • Model the processes using a suitable modeling language.
  • Document data flows and application dependencies.
  • Present your model to stakeholders for feedback.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Gap Analysis Report
Solidify your understanding of gap analysis by creating a report that identifies the gaps between your organization's current state and its desired future state.
Show steps
  • Define the baseline and target architectures.
  • Identify the gaps between the two architectures.
  • Prioritize the gaps based on business impact.
  • Develop a plan to address the gaps.
Review 'TOGAF 9 Foundation Study Guide'
Deepen your understanding of the TOGAF framework by studying a comprehensive guide that covers the ADM and key concepts.
Show steps
  • Read the TOGAF 9 Foundation Study Guide.
  • Summarize the key components of the ADM.
  • Relate TOGAF concepts to real-world scenarios.
Write a Blog Post on Enterprise Architecture
Reinforce your learning by writing a blog post that explains a specific aspect of enterprise architecture, such as the benefits of using TOGAF or the challenges of data migration.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to enterprise architecture.
  • Research the topic and gather relevant information.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post.
  • Share your blog post on social media.
Answer Questions in Online Forums
Solidify your understanding by helping other students learn the material. Answering questions helps reinforce your own knowledge.
Show steps
  • Find online forums related to enterprise architecture.
  • Read the questions and identify those you can answer.
  • Provide clear and helpful answers.

Career center

Learners who complete Enterprise Architecture by Example will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Enterprise Architect
An Enterprise Architect is responsible for creating and maintaining an organization's overall architectural blueprint, ensuring that business strategy and technological capabilities are aligned. This course directly prepares you for this role by teaching the core concepts of enterprise architecture, including TOGAF, the Open Group's framework, and how to develop architectures that bridge the gap between the current and desired states. Through case studies and practical examples, such as the United States Marine Corps Recruiting system and the Apollo 13 disaster analysis, you will learn how to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios. Understanding the strategic implementation of processes, identifying essential elements, and creating impactful enterprise artifacts are all critical skills for this position, and this course provides the necessary tools to achieve them.
Business Architect
A Business Architect focuses on defining and analyzing an organization’s business capabilities, processes, and information needs to align them with strategic goals. This course explores business architecture extensively, including various modeling languages, tools, and techniques to analyze and map organizations. The course helps future Business Architects understand how to move beyond traditional organizational charts and use gap analysis to identify areas for improvement. The course ensures that you will create architectures that reflect reality over time. By learning from real-world case studies, like the Apollo 13 disaster, you will develop a practical understanding of business architecture principles and how to apply them to complex situations.
IT Strategist
An IT Strategist develops and executes technology strategies that support an organization’s business objectives. This course helps IT Strategists by teaching them how to use enterprise architecture principles and frameworks like TOGAF to align IT initiatives with overall business strategy. Discussions on moving between baseline and target architectures, and how to perform gap analysis, are crucial for strategic planning. Understanding information, applications, and technology matrices, along with the creation of meaningful diagrams, will enable you to communicate complex strategic visions effectively. You will also gain insight into the practical application of these principles through real-world case studies and tales of architecture.
Data Architect
A Data Architect designs and manages the organization's data infrastructure and ensures data is structured and accessible to meet the organization's needs. This course includes a segment on data architecture, teaching you how to design, migrate, and manage data effectively. You will learn how logical and physical data models can be used, and gain an understanding of versioning and data migration processes, which are critical for success. The course discusses real-world scenarios, such as planning a data migration, and how to perform data architecture in non-software settings, further enhancing abilities in this domain.
Solution Architect
A Solution Architect designs specific technology solutions to address business problems, requiring a deep understanding of both business needs and technological capabilities. This course helps Solution Architects grasp how to align technology solutions with an organization's goals using enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF. You will learn how to move from baseline to target architectures, conduct gap analysis, and develop impactful diagrams that facilitate clear communication of technology processes. The course also helps you work with various modeling languages and techniques needed to design and document solutions. By learning from compelling real-world examples, you will become a more well-rounded and insightful Solution Architect.
Technology Consultant
A Technology Consultant advises organizations on using technology to achieve their business objectives. This course helps a Technology Consultant understand the strategic application of technology through the lens of enterprise architecture. The focus on using frameworks like TOGAF, the emphasis on creating enterprise artifacts, and the process of moving from baseline to target architectures, all enhance your ability to help organizations align their technology with their needs. Also, learning to assess the impact of change and effectively communicate strategic decisions will be useful in this role. The real-world case studies provide further insights into how technology can be used to solve complex problems.
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst studies an organization’s systems and procedures to recommend improvements or new systems. This course may be useful to a Systems Analyst as it teaches the fundamental principles of enterprise architecture including understanding how to analyze business processes. The course will help you understand how to map organizations, identify gaps in existing systems, and design new processes using techniques and modeling languages. The course will help you learn how to create meaningful diagrams to communicate those processes to a client or stakeholders. Ultimately, this will increase the effectiveness of the analyst’s recommendations.
IT Project Manager
An IT Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing technology-related projects. Understanding the fundamental principles of enterprise architecture, including how to develop a foundational architecture and strategic alignment, helps IT Project Managers to ensure that their projects align with broader organizational goals. The course content may be useful in providing a framework for managing complexity and understanding the impact of technology changes. You'll also gain valuable insights into process implementation and gap analysis, which are crucial for successful project delivery.
Business Process Analyst
A Business Process Analyst examines business processes to identify areas for improvement and helps implement more efficient solutions. The course may be useful to a Business Process Analyst with its focus on business architecture, including analyzing and mapping organizations by using various modeling languages and tools. You will also learn how to move beyond traditional organizational charts and use gap analysis to identify areas of improvement. The course emphasizes that enterprise architecture must reflect reality over time. This enables a Business Process Analyst to have a clearer understanding of the role as an agent of change.
Technology Manager
A Technology Manager oversees the technology infrastructure and services of an organization, ensuring that they meet business needs and goals. This course may be useful for a Technology Manager as it provides a deep understanding of enterprise architecture and how to effectively align technology with business objectives. This course emphasizes the importance of moving from a baseline to target architecture, a critical skill for a technology manager. Furthermore, the course's focus on creating influential enterprise artifacts can assist in communicating technology strategies effectively throughout the entire organization and to stakeholders.
Data Manager
A Data Manager is responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of an organization’s data assets. With its focus on data architecture, this course may be useful to a Data Manager by providing tools for designing, migrating, and managing data. Understanding these processes is critical to ensuring data governance and compliance. The course also discusses real world scenarios in which data architecture is essential. The course emphasizes the importance of versioning and data migration processes, which can be invaluable for a Data Manager.
IT Consultant
An IT Consultant provides expert advice to organizations on how to use technology to solve problems and achieve goals. While not the primary focus of the course, the concepts of enterprise architecture, and frameworks like TOGAF, may be useful to an IT Consultant. Understanding how to analyze and map organizations and assess the impact of changes can assist an IT Consultant in providing valuable recommendations. The course emphasizes the importance of data migration, interoperability, and overall strategic alignment of technology, which can also support this role.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A Business Intelligence Analyst analyzes data to identify patterns and trends that can inform business decisions. While the core focus of this course isn't specifically business intelligence, the data architecture and data management aspects may be useful. The course addresses data migration and data design, which can be relevant to this role, as well as the strategic alignment of technology and business goals. The course will also help you understand how to use data to create diagrams and communicate complex information effectively.
Software Development Manager
A Software Development Manager leads teams of software developers to create and maintain software applications. While not directly focused on software development, this course may be useful in helping a Software Development Manager grasp how to align software projects with larger business goals, using enterprise architecture principles. The course delves into mapping business processes and creating enterprise artifacts, which can be invaluable to a Software Development Manager who needs to understand the strategic impact of software projects. This understanding is key to ensuring alignment with the overall business strategy.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for technical products and processes, and the course may be useful to a Technical Writer who wants to understand the fundamentals of enterprise architecture, including moving from baseline to target architectures, as well as the creation of enterprise artifacts. The course will provide insight into how software applications and processes are diagrammed, along with the importance of clear communication, which can be valuable in this position. This course emphasizes creating meaningful diagrams and artifacts, which can directly improve the quality of technical documentation.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Enterprise Architecture by Example.
Provides a framework for understanding how enterprise architecture can be used to drive business strategy. It introduces the concept of operating models and how they relate to enterprise architecture. It valuable resource for understanding the strategic implications of enterprise architecture decisions and is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the TOGAF framework, including the Architecture Development Method (ADM). It useful reference for understanding the TOGAF terminology, concepts, and processes. This book is particularly helpful for those preparing for the TOGAF 9 Foundation certification exam and provides additional depth to the TOGAF sections covered in the course.

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