Enterprise
Architecture (EA) tools are used to gather and systemize models and artifacts
that express alignment between business processes and IT systems. Besides, by their analysis and simulation ability, they
support enterprise
architects and other EA stakeholders in collaborating to improve decisions
about changes and development of enterprise and their effect on IT systems.
In more details, why enterprise
need EA tools?
Enterprise
architects need EA tools because they want to centralize models by
consolidating all artifacts into a single repository to get all-sided view of
the system. For traders, EA tools provide business process analysis. Otherwise,
IT strategists apply EA tools due to their IT planning
capabilities for faster and better planning changes. In general, EA
tools make the architect and other stakeholders more productive.
There
are many kinds of EA tools, for example:
- IBM Rational System Architect that
includes Rational Asset Manager, Rational
DOORS, Rational Focal Point, Rational Rhapsody, Rational Software Architect, Tivoli
software.
-
Sybase (SAP) with Powerdesigner.
- Alfabet with planning IT
- Open Source with Ellipse Agile EA
- Orbus Software with iServer 2011
and so on.
Each
kind has each advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, an EA tool can cost companies
a huge amount of money when it is included the tool cost, training, consultant
support, maintenance, your staff labor, other implementation costs and so on. The
company needs to make the best possible selection that allows it to factor in
all of your critical elements and business needs. You have a limited amount of
time to conduct your evaluation.
Therefore,
choosing an appropriate EA tool for the company is a complex task.
How to choose EA tools?
Step
1: EA team selection. There will have an executive sponsor, select a focused
interested selection team and formally appoint a leader of the evaluation team.
Step
2: Criteria and Weighting Factor Development.
“Develop
an organized objective set of requirements and evaluation criteria and a set of
weighting factors to align the importance of these items to your specific
needs. Create data recording and analysis spreadsheets to facilitate the collection,
analysis and evaluation of the projects.”[1]
- Functionality
– What can/does the tool do? How does it work and how does it meet
requirements?
- Vendor
– Stability, viability and background of the vendor.
- Cost of Ownership – Total cost of ownership
issues from acquisition through ongoing maintenance
and the effect of its costs and capabilities on the EA effort.
Step
3 – Vendor Identification
“Create
your list of initial list of tool vendors by narrowing down the field
with an initial familiarization and evaluation round with your evaluation team.
Gain an
understanding of the basic capabilities and features of the tools on your list
in preparation
for the next step.”[2]
Step
4 –Short List Evaluation
“Conduct
in person detailed reviews of your short listed tools working
with the tool vendors. Conduct even more detailed week long final evaluation sessions
as required to gather enough information to complete a through evaluation of each
tool.” [3]
Step
5 – Final Selection
“Analyze the business issues such
as TCO and costs then combine
with the technical functionality evaluation to create an overall weighted evaluation of the
short list of products.”[4]
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