Author: Tanja Ylimäki

Tools and Techniques for Enterprise Architecture

During the project we conducted an EA tool review (see the report "Review of Enterprise Architecture Tools"), which aimed at introducing us to a wide selection of existing commercial tools that may be utilized in enterprise architecture development projects. Additionally, we have reviewed some techniques available for enterprise modelling.

In this section we present

• Some Desirable Features of EA Tools
• List of EA Tools
• Future Development Trends in EA Tools
• Techniques for Enterprise Modelling

There are plenty of commercial tools available ranging from simple modellers to large product families. The organization considering the acquisition of a tool for enteprise architecture should identify its needs carefully and define evaluation and selection criteria (see e.g. TOGAF’s Tools for Architecture Development section, IEEE Std 1209-1992, ISO/IEC 14102, Prekop et al., 2001 or Schekkerman, 2004). Also the EA maturity level (see e.g. NASCIO Enterprise Architecture Maturity Model or DoC IT Architecture Capability Maturity Model) should be taken into consideration. It is also possible that one tool is not enough for developing and managing an EA. It is more likely that a set of appropriate tools are required. Comprehensive EA tools are becoming critical business tools. Therefore, the selection of an appropriate tool should be a business-driven decision.

Some Desirable Features of EA Tools

Menefee & Rudawitz (2003) have listed some features that a proper EA tool should have. These are the following:

• Modeling technology: the tool provides a framework within which the EA information itself is modeld and maintained.
• Artifact repository built on database technology.
• Unrestricted ability to link EA information, artifacts and concepts in the EA.
• Simple ability to update, add, replace and change the EA information.
• Ability to produce a web accessible result to the enteprise (web publishing).
• Provide both graphical and textual data.
• Support intuitive graphical navigation paradigm.

List of EA Tools

In the table below a selection of possible tools to be used in enterprise architecture efforst are listed in alphabetical order. The tools are roughly categorized into three categories:

• General modeling tools: primarily meant for software design,
• BPR tools: primarily meant for business process (re)engineering, and
• EA tools: primarily marketed for EA design.

More information about the tools can be found in the vendors' sites and in the "Review of Enterprise Architecture Tools".

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Table: EA tools
Name of the product	Vendor	Tool category	Description	Frameworks and standards or methodologies supported	Other issues
Adaptive / Adaptations	Adaptive USA	EA tool	Adaptive is a web-based enterprise architecture knowledge repository solution provider. Adaptive products are: Adaptive IT Portfolio Manager Adaptive Business Process Manager Adaptive Enterprise Architecture Manager. These can be further customized to the clients' individual requirements using the Adaptive Designer toolkit. Adaptive Foundation is the base technology upon which the products are built. It consists of: Reference Model reflecting all the domains required to make informed, enterprise-wide management decisions Adaptive Designer Adaptive Repository: a flexible, scalable, open and standards-based knowledge repository	Adaptive RealChange Method, The Adaptive Reference Model (framework for EA), UML, CWM (Common Warehouse Metamodel), Zachman Framework, FEA, MDA	Professional Consulting Service practice - Adaptive Solutions; consultants can be used to design and implement solutions to meet customer specific needs. They use the RealChange Method.
ARIS Process Platform 6.2 (a product family)	IDS Scheer Inc. Germany	BPR tool	ARIS Process Platform provides integrated tools for designing, implementing and controlling business processes: ARIS Design Platform (Web Designer, Toolset, Easy Design, Simulation, Balanced Scorecard, Web Publisher) ARIS Implementation Platform (ARIS fo mySAP, UML Designer, Processes to Applications etc.) ARIS Controlling Platform (Process Cost Analyzer, Process Performance Manager) ARIS Scout solutions (e.g. quality management, software engineering) ARIS Collaborative Suite 6.2 consists of ARIS Easy Design, ARIS Toolset and ARIS Web Designer.	e.g. UML, DoDAF/C4ISR. BPML interface available.	ARIS = Architecture of Integrated Information Systems developed by professor Dr. August-Wilhelm Scheer
BOTiCMAP suite of enterprise modeling tools	BOTiC Ltd. UK	EA tool	Enterprise modeling tools that builds on the features of Visio, MS Access, and MS Excel: BOTiCMAP db - database approach to managing Enterprise Processes and to generating a visual model BOTiCMAP MatrixBuilder: matrix reporter BOTiCMAP QuickModel: to create models from existing data BOTiCMAP MeasuredViews: to keep the measures on models up-to-date with BOTiCMAP ProgrammeMilestones: to map out a Change Programme	BOTiCMAP metamodel (framework)	Uses the concept "rich picture"
Corporate Modeller Suite version 9 (version 10 available)	CASEwise Systems Inc. USA	EA tool	The Suite consists of the following components: CorporateModeler: Capture, analyze, optimize, simulate and implement business processes and enterprise architecture. Corporate Publisher HTML: Manage process and enterprise architecture knowledge across the business Corporate Publisher Word: Automatically generate professional reports and procedure manuals Automodeler: Import existing knowledge to kick-start your modeling Links to development and BPR tools like RationalRose, ERWin, Oracle Designer, Visio	Casewise Framework based on the Zachman Framework, IDEF Support in version 10, FEAF	Other products: ITArchitecture Accelerator, Balanced Scorecard Accelerator. In version 10 there is just one diagrammer instead of having 5 separate diagrammers for drawing the different types of diagram (the Entity, DFD, Hierarchy, Process Dynamics and Generic modelers). Builds on .NET technology
EA WebModeler	Agilense Inc. USA	EA tool	The Agilense EA WebModeler is a solution comprising an enterprise architecture "knowledge" repository, a web-based user-interface software tool, and sets of metadata. It resides behind a standard web server (e.g. WebSphere, Ms IIS, Apache) and stores information in a standard relational database management system (e.g. Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, Access, etc.).	Has an own framework based on the Zachman framework (Agilense Reference Framework), but other metamodels can be imported too. Supports e.g. TOGAF, FEA, DoDAF (C4ISR), MDA?, UML	The EA WebModeler repository may be deployed on any SQL92 relational database platforms.
Enterprise Architect 3.6 (version 4.5 available)	Enterprise Architect Australia	general modelling tool	UML modeling and design tool. Corporate edition of EA - using MySQL or SQL Server as a model repository	UML (version 4.5 supports UML 2.0)
Enterprise FrameWork 6.0	Ptech Inc. USA	EA tool	Modeling software solution for automating the development of an organization's Enterprise Architecture: KnowledgeEngine KnowledgeBase (the repository) AbstractGenerator Customization Kit	Full support for Zachman Framework, IBM Enterprise Architecture Method?, UML	Additional tools available, e.g. TeamWork, Accelerators (domain-specific methods)
Enterprizer Intelligent Tools	Enterprizer Technologies (former S3 International (S3i) LLC) USA	EA tool?	Enterprise modeling software platform S3i collaborates with leading research institutes and associations to develop "intelligent toolkits". These toolkits incorporate best practice and are adapted. allianceEnterprizer: Formation and management of successful strategic alliances governanceEnterprizer: Management of enterprise governance and compliance innovationEnterprizer: Creating and sustaining enterprise innovation strategyEnterprizer: Scenario modeling for optimized strategic planning	N/A
Enterprise Modeller 4.2c (version 5.0a available)	Enterprise Modeller Solutions Limited (EMS) UK	BPR tool	Enterprise Modeller is a flexible business process modeling toolset. At the heart of the tool is a powerful object database that is a repository for the organization's information. The toolset consists of the following components: Builder: modeling tool Developer: builder functionality + ability to design custom business model frameworks Net Publisher Interrogator: "manager's tool" with reporting capabilities Viewer		A number of applications based on Enterprise Modeller providing solutions to specific business needs, e.g. Risk Manager, Process Improvement Manager, Business Integration Manager
FirstStep 5.0 (3 different products: Interfacing Charter, Interfacing Designer and Enterprise Process Center)	Interfacing Technologies Corporation Canada	BPR tool?	Firstep 5.0 components: FirstSTEP Designer is the comprehensive business process management tool, FirstSTEP Process Modeler: a CIMOSA Compliant Modeling Tool, and FirstSTEP Charter is the Microsoft Visio-integrated tool that allows users across an enterprise to cooperatively create, view, edit and publish structured process models New products: The Enterprise Process Center (EPC) is a multi-user business process management (BPM) software product, designed for business users (real owners of business processes). Charter is a desktop business process management (BPM) modeling software. Charter integrates directly within the Microsoft Visio interface, Designer is a desktop business process management (BPM) modeling and simulation software. It allows business users to map and model business processes and run what-if scenarios on any aspect of their model, for better business results.	The modeling methodology used in all of Interfacing's products is called FirstSTEP	The Enterprise Process Center (EPC) is a web-based portal that provides structured and simplified access to the enterprise processes, process-related content, projects and applications.
MEGA version 6 (version 6.1 available)	MEGA France		MEGA Process: Business Process Analysis & Improvement MEGA Architecture: Map And Plan Business And Information Systems MEGA Integration: Business driven analysis and design for workflow and application integration projects MEGA Development: Software component specification & design MEGA Database: Database Analysis and Design	Zachman Framework, UML, provides also SOA approach	Technical modules complement MEGA's offering to customize the platform to customer's specific needs: MEGA Documentation, MEGA Intranet, MEGA Generation, MEGA Supervisor
MetaEdit+ (Method Workbench and MetaEdit+)	MetaCase Consulting Finland	general modeling tool	MetaEdit+ metaCASE tool allows you to design your method and use it. First you design the method with Method Workbench and then all developers use the method with MetaEdit+.	e.g. UML, OMT, OOAD, IBM BSP
METIS 3.4 product family	Computas See also www.metis.no Norway	EA tool?	Metis is a family of client/server products for creating, visualizing, changing, sharing and managing enterprise models, e.g. Metis Model Browser, Metis Model Annotator Metis Modeling Workbench (Editor, Designer, - Metamodel Developer) Metis Team Server Metis Business Solutions (templates)	Zachman Framework, TOGAF 7(8), TEAF, FEAF, C4ISR (DoDAF), UML 2.0	IT Management template (for EA) supports Zachman-like approach, DoDAF template, UML 2.0 template, BPM template Metis has merged with Troux Technologies.
Oracle Designer 9i (version 10g available)	Oracle Corporation USA	general modeling tool	Oracle Designer is Oracle's model-driven development tool based on the well-founded principles of Information Engineering. Oracle9 Designer is sold as part of Oracle9 Developer Suite (Oracle9 DS).	ER-modeling, UML, Oracle development methodology, Oracle Custom Development Method (CDM)	The Oracle BPEL Process Manager offers an infrastructure for creating, deploying and managing BPEL business processes. JDeveloper and BPEL Process Manager provide a SOA development platform.
ProCap 7 / ProSim 7	Knowledge Based Systems Inc. USA	BPR tool?	ProCap: Procss modeling and analysis ProSim: Process modeling and analysis with simulation model generation	IDEF3	Other tools available, e.g. AIØ Win that combines IDEF0 function modeling with ABC modeling and analysis.
Provision 4.3	Proforma Corp. USA	BRP tool (--> EA tool)	The ProVision modeling suite provides an enterprise-wide process modeling environment, e.g. EnterprisePro can be used for Process Improvement and Quality Initiatives, Six Sigma, ISO Certification, Process/ Workflow Documentation, Strategic Planning, Enterprise Architecture Frameworks (C4ISR, Zachman), Business Requirements & UML Modeling for Application Development projects.	C4ISR, Zachman, UML, FEA. ProGuide Methodology	Options: - AnalyzerPlus - TeamWork - WebVision - DataExchange - JDEExchange - ProGuide (best practices process models for e.g. model-based business process improvement, requirements analysis and application development projects)
Rational Rose	IBM USA	general modeling tool	Object-oriented modeling tool IBM Rational Rose XDE Modeler: Enables to produce language-independent Unified Modeling Language (UML) models of software architecture, business needs, reusable assets and management-level communication. IBM Rational Rose XDE Developer: Offers a set of model-driven development and runtime analysis capabilities for building software applications. IBM Rational Rose Data Modeler: Provides the realization of the ER methodology using UML notation to bring database designers together with the software development team. IBM Rational Rose Technical Developer: Supports the most advanced modeling constructs, including model execution and fully executable code generation.	UML, MDA. E.g. Zachman support is possible to build using packages.	Many other tools for e.g. requirements and analysis, testing and software configuration management
Silverrun ModelSphere 2.1 (version 2.2. available)	Magna Solutions Canada	BPR tool	Modeling tool that combines features like business process modeling, data modeling and UML class modeling. Silverrun Professional and Enterprise Series 2.8: SILVERRUN RDM is a data modeling tool SILVERRUN ERX (Entity Relationship Expert) is a conceptual data modeling tool SILVERRUN BPM (business process modeler) is a tool for modeling, documenting and analyzing business processes and for integrating the business perspective with the enterprise data architecture SILVERRUN REPOSITORY SILVERRUN DBMS plug-ins (e.g. DB2, Oracle, Informix, MS SQL Server	UML
Structure 2001 Suite	Framework Software Inc. USA	EA tool	Structure 2001 Suite is enterprise architecture document and model management software. It consists of two products: - Structure 200: an enterprise document and model management PC/LAN software application - Structure.Net: a web-based product that allows you to browse and access enterprise documents and models from the Internet, intranet, or extranet.	Zachman Framework, FEAF, TEAF	RS RuleTrack is aimed at coordinating business rules from the business perspective, and is independent of particular implementation environments.
Strategic IT Management (SITM) Generation 5	Alfabet Germany	EA tool?	SITM offers combined (IT) architecture, program, and value management for better management of the ongoing change processes. It consists of Logical IT Inventory (captures the as-is landscape) Business Demand Management Module Application Architecture Module (supports detailed analysis of as-is and target architectures) Enterprise Architecture Module (to define enterprise standards and guidelines) Program Portfolio Module (to assign defined projects to programs and conduct bottom up and top-down analysis of budgets and programs) Value Management Module (To document and align business and IT strategies)
System Architect 9.1 (version 10 is available)	Popkin USA	EA tool	System Architect is a tool for modeling and developing enterprise architecture.	Zachman Framework, TOGAF (+ TOGAF ADM), DoDAF (C4ISR), BPMN, IDEF, RUP, Structured Analysis & Design, FEA (through a paid add-on capability called Integrated Reference Model Architect, iRMA)	Popkin Model Agency: a directory of industry and technology standard models
Troux 4 Platform (--> new 'package': Troux IT Governance System)	Troux Technologies USA	EA tool	Troux 4 Platform consists of Troux Reference Model Troux Blueprinting System (Troux Blueprinting Engine, Troux Repository, Troux Collectors, Troux Bridges) Troux Reporting System Troux IT Portal Troux IT Governance System includes Enterprise Baseline: creates a living map of all business and technology resources, and provides enterprise architecture management tools Troux Reference Model Troux 4 Platform IT Financial Management: automates tracking and management of IT expenditures Regulatory Compliance: compares infrastructure to corporate policies to minimize non-compliance risk and reduce compliance management costs Business Continuity Planning: aligns continuity plans with the IT environment Service Delivery Management: automates service level agreement performance tracking and analysis Executive Dashboard: provides timely, relevant insight to executives across the corporation, letting them see the business impact of successful IT Governance	FEA (through Troux's Enterprise Architecture Management solution), Zachman Framework, DoDAF, BPMN, UML	Provides solutions in a variety of areas.
Visible Advantage 7 / Visible Analyst 7.6	Visible Systems Corporation USA	general modeling tool / EA tool?	Visible Advantage Enterprise Architecture Edition: Enterprise Architecture management tool for building systems, redeveloping legacy systems, and reengineering business processes. Visible Analyst Enterprise Framework Edition: a modeling tool that incorporates strategic planning, data modeling, object modeling, process modeling, and the Universal Data Model, driven by an easy to use framework interface (Zachman Framework) Zachman Enterprise Workbench incorporates strategic planning, data modeling, object modeling, process modeling, UML modeling, and includes the Visible Business Templates and ISO 9000 Templates	IDEF1X, IDEF0 Zachman Framework support in the Enterprise Framework Edition. Zachman Framework, C41SR, FEAF, TEAF, MDA? (in the Zachman Workbench)	Visible Business Template Model is a high-level data model containing nearly fifty business subject areas or object classes encompassing over 600 entities with over 1,000 attributes.
Visio Enterprise Modeling	Microsoft USA	general modeling tool	Diagramming tool, includes several diagram types/templates, e.g. block diagrams, brainstorming, business processes, flowchart, database, software (e.g. UML).
VizdomWorks!	Wizdom Systems Inc. USA	BPR tool	The WizdomWorks! suite of Business Process Management solutions is comprised of: Document Manager: For defining and managing electronic documents ProcessWorks!: For process and activity modeling DataWorks!: For data and information modeling Analysis Tools: For process analysis	IDEF0, IDEF1X, DoDAF (DoDAF toolkit)	Analysis tools: - FlowWIZard generates process flow models for process mapping - CostWIZard for Activity Based Costing (ABC) - TimeWIZard for project management and timeline analysis - QualWIZard for quality function deployment and TQM (Total Quality Management) - SimWIZard for simulation analysis. - What-if Analysis comparing Cost and Cycle Time Also other products are available, e.g. WizdomLive! - Web-based business management software

Future Development Trends in EA Tools

How will the tools for enterprise architecture evolve in the near future? There seems to be trends to

• continue to narrow the BPM - IT model gap,
• provide wider support of existing frameworks (DoDAF, FEA, TOGAF etc.),
• provide support for "new" approaches, such as Service Oriented architecture (SOA) and Model Driven Architecture (MDA),
• include change management, which adds portfolio management function to classic process modeling and IT modeling functions,
• provide support for other frameworks or approaches, such as IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT), and
• conduct merges, like the one between Troux Technologies and Computas (Metis).

Techniques for Enterprise Modelling

Hay (2003) represents a selection of techniques for requirements analysis referring to the Zachman Framework. These techniques are for enterprise architecture planning focusing on the rows two and three of the Zachman Framework. These techniques are listed in the working paper "Techniques for Architecture Modelling".

Additionally, Rational Unified Process (RUP) artifacts (i.e. UML diagrams) have been mapped against the Zachman Framework cells (Rational Software White Paper, 2001). This mapping is depicted in the table below.

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