Key Terminology Flashcards
Application Architecture
A description of the structure and interaction of the applications as groups of capabilities that
provide key business functions and manage the data assets.
Architectural Style
The combination of distinctive features related to the specific context within which architecture
is performed or expressed; a collection of principles and characteristics that steer or constrain
how an architecture is formed.
Architecture
- The fundamental concepts or properties of a system in its environment embodied in its
elements, relationships, and in the principles of its design and evolution. - The structure of components, their inter-relationships, and the principles and guidelines
governing their design and evolution over time
Architecture Building Block (ABB)
A constituent of the architecture model that describes a single aspect of the overall model.
Architecture Continuum
A part of the Enterprise Continuum. A repository of architectural elements with increasing detail
and specialization.
Note: This Continuum begins with foundational definitions such as reference models, core
strategies, and basic building blocks. From there it spans to Industry Architectures and all the
way to an organization’s specific architecture
Architecture Development Method (ADM)
The core of the TOGAF framework. A multi-phase, iterative approach to develop and use an
Enterprise Architecture to shape and govern business transformation and implementation
projects.
Architecture Domain
The architectural area being considered. The TOGAF framework has four primary architecture
domains within the TOGAF standard: Business, Data, Application, and Technology. Other
domains may also be considered (e.g., Security)
Architecture Framework
A conceptual structure used to plan, develop, implement, govern, and sustain an architecture.
Architecture Governance
The practice of monitoring and directing architecture-related work. The goal is to deliver desired
outcomes and adhere to relevant principles, standards, and roadmaps
Architecture Principle
A qualitative statement of intent that should be met by the architecture.
Architecture View
A representation of a system from the perspective of a related set of concerns.
Note: View is sometimes used as a synonym for Architecture View.
Architecture Viewpoint
A specification of the conventions for a particular kind of architecture view.
Note: Viewpoint is sometimes used as a synonym for Architecture Viewpoint.
Architecture Vision
A succinct description of the Target Architecture that describes its business value and the
changes to the enterprise that will result from its successful deployment. It serves as an
aspirational vision and a boundary for detailed architecture developmen
Artifact
An architectural work product that describes an aspect of the architecture.
Baseline
A specification that has been formally reviewed and agreed upon, that thereafter serves as the
basis for further development or change and that can be changed only through formal change
control procedures or a type of procedure such as configuration management.
Building Block
A (potentially re-usable) component of enterprise capability that can be combined with other
building blocks to deliver architectures and solutions.
Note: Building blocks can be defined at various levels of detail, depending on what stage of
architecture development has been reached. For instance, at an early stage, a building block can
simply consist of a name or an outline description. Later on, a building block may be
decomposed into multiple supporting building blocks and may be accompanied by a full
specification. Building blocks can relate to “architectures” or “solutions”
Business Architecture
A representation of holistic, multi-dimensional business views of: capabilities, end-to-end value
delivery, information, and organizational structure; and the relationships among these business
views and strategies, products, policies, initiatives, and stakeholders.
Business Capability
A particular ability that a business may possess or exchange to achieve a specific purpose
Business Governance
Concerned with ensuring that the business processes and policies (and their operation) deliver
the business outcomes and adhere to relevant business regulation.
Capability
An ability that an organization, person, or system possesses.
Concern
An interest in a system relevant to one or more of its stakeholders
Course of Action
Direction and focus provided by strategic goals and objectives, often to deliver the value
proposition characterized in the business model.