Introduction
The Reference Library is a critical component of a well-run Enterprise Architecture (EA) Repository. It provides guidelines, templates, patterns, and other reference materials that accelerate the creation of new architectures for the enterprise. This guide offers a detailed overview of what to expect in a well-managed Reference Library, highlighting key concepts, best practices, and practical examples to ensure effective utilization and management.
Key Concepts in Managing a Reference Library
1. Accelerators
Accelerators are reference materials that speed up the time to market by providing proven approaches and templates. These include guidelines, templates, patterns, and other forms of reference material that can be leveraged to accelerate the creation of new architectures. Accelerators are essential for ensuring that sufficient architecture work is produced to support decisions and actions about the enterprise’s change activities5.
2. Reference Materials
Reference materials in the EA Repository can be broadly categorized into two sets:
- Directly Used in Architecture Development: These include reference models, reference architectures, and patterns that provide proven approaches and simplify communication within the EA team.
- Background Material: This includes white papers, discussions of EA Landscape reference material, templates, stock material, and guides that improve communication and consistency both within and outside the EA team5.
3. Proven Approaches
Proven approaches are reference materials that have been tested and validated, providing a reliable foundation for new architecture development. Examples include the IT4IT Reference Architecture and APQC’s Process Classification Framework, which offer complete starter sets and enable reuse within the EA team5.
4. Consistency and Communication
Consistent use of reference materials improves communication between practitioners and stakeholders. Using the same terms and approaches ensures that everyone is on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing collaboration5.
Best Practices for Managing a Reference Library
1. Maintain Discrete Architectures
Maintaining discrete architectures allows architects to compare how reference architectures were used in the current candidate or target against the base reference material. This practice enables future architects to understand the decisions made during architecture development and implementation governance, especially when only part of a reference is brought into architecture development and maintained in the architecture5.
2. Integrate with Document Management Systems
Reference architectures, planning data, analytic data, etc., are normally supported by detailed documentation managed in a document management system. Ensuring that these documents are easily accessible and well-organized is crucial for effective use of the Reference Library5.
3. Provide Clear References
Maintaining clear references in the modeling and analytic software allows architects to understand the decisions made during architecture development and implementation governance. This is especially important when only part of a reference is brought into architecture development and maintained in the architecture5.
4. Ensure Traceability
Establishing traceability between reference materials and architectural decisions is essential for effective governance. This ensures that the rationale behind architectural choices is clear and can be easily understood by future architects and stakeholders5.
5. Regularly Update Reference Materials
Keeping the Reference Library up-to-date with the latest guidelines, templates, patterns, and other reference materials ensures that architects have access to the most current and relevant information for their work5.
Practical Examples of Managing a Reference Library
Example 1: Digital Transformation Initiative
Objective: Enhance customer experience and operational efficiency through digital transformation.
Reference Library Role:
- Accelerators: Utilize guidelines, templates, and patterns to accelerate the creation of new architectures for digital transformation.
- Reference Materials: Include reference models, architectures, and patterns that provide proven approaches for digital transformation initiatives.
- Proven Approaches: Use established frameworks like the IT4IT Reference Architecture to provide a reliable foundation for new architecture development.
- Consistency and Communication: Ensure that all practitioners use the same terms and approaches to improve communication and collaboration.
- Maintain Discrete Architectures: Keep discrete architectures to compare how reference architectures were used in the current candidate or target against the base reference material.
- Integrate with Document Management Systems: Ensure that all reference materials are supported by detailed documentation managed in a document management system.
- Provide Clear References: Maintain clear references in the modeling and analytic software to understand the decisions made during architecture development and implementation governance.
- Ensure Traceability: Establish traceability between reference materials and architectural decisions to ensure effective governance.
- Regularly Update Reference Materials: Keep the Reference Library up-to-date with the latest guidelines, templates, patterns, and other reference materials relevant to digital transformation.
Example 2: Technology Upgrade Project
Objective: Improve technological capabilities to support future growth.
Reference Library Role:
- Accelerators: Utilize guidelines, templates, and patterns to accelerate the creation of new architectures for technology upgrades.
- Reference Materials: Include reference models, architectures, and patterns that provide proven approaches for technology upgrade projects.
- Proven Approaches: Use established frameworks like APQC’s Process Classification Framework to provide a reliable foundation for new architecture development.
- Consistency and Communication: Ensure that all practitioners use the same terms and approaches to improve communication and collaboration.
- Maintain Discrete Architectures: Keep discrete architectures to compare how reference architectures were used in the current candidate or target against the base reference material.
- Integrate with Document Management Systems: Ensure that all reference materials are supported by detailed documentation managed in a document management system.
- Provide Clear References: Maintain clear references in the modeling and analytic software to understand the decisions made during architecture development and implementation governance.
- Ensure Traceability: Establish traceability between reference materials and architectural decisions to ensure effective governance.
- Regularly Update Reference Materials: Keep the Reference Library up-to-date with the latest guidelines, templates, patterns, and other reference materials relevant to technology upgrades.
Example 3: Sustainability Initiatives
Objective: Reduce the organization’s carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
Reference Library Role:
- Accelerators: Utilize guidelines, templates, and patterns to accelerate the creation of new architectures for sustainability initiatives.
- Reference Materials: Include reference models, architectures, and patterns that provide proven approaches for sustainability initiatives.
- Proven Approaches: Use established frameworks like the IT4IT Reference Architecture to provide a reliable foundation for new architecture development.
- Consistency and Communication: Ensure that all practitioners use the same terms and approaches to improve communication and collaboration.
- Maintain Discrete Architectures: Keep discrete architectures to compare how reference architectures were used in the current candidate or target against the base reference material.
- Integrate with Document Management Systems: Ensure that all reference materials are supported by detailed documentation managed in a document management system.
- Provide Clear References: Maintain clear references in the modeling and analytic software to understand the decisions made during architecture development and implementation governance.
- Ensure Traceability: Establish traceability between reference materials and architectural decisions to ensure effective governance.
- Regularly Update Reference Materials: Keep the Reference Library up-to-date with the latest guidelines, templates, patterns, and other reference materials relevant to sustainability initiatives.
Conclusion
Managing a Reference Library in a well-run EA Repository is crucial for the successful implementation and management of enterprise architecture. By following best practices and utilizing key concepts such as accelerators, reference materials, proven approaches, consistency and communication, maintaining discrete architectures, integrating with document management systems, providing clear references, ensuring traceability, and regularly updating reference materials, organizations can ensure effective utilization and management of their Reference Library. Practical examples, such as digital transformation initiatives, technology upgrade projects, and sustainability initiatives, demonstrate the application of these concepts in real-world scenarios. By adopting these best practices and leveraging the capabilities of modeling and analytic software, organizations can achieve strategic alignment, efficient resource allocation, and successful implementation of their enterprise architecture goals.