Business architecture

Practitioners can use the The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) for detailed advice on how to develop an overarching architecture vision and target state architecture.

At the business layer, TOGAF recommends the use of modelling techniques to convey the interactions between people and information participating in the conduct of services and processes.

The type of modelling employed by the practitioner will depend on the level of detail to be provided in the target architecture. For example, business process models are likely to be too detailed at this stage, so it is more appropriate to use techniques that provide more of a conceptual or logical understanding of the overall business context. These can include modelling techniques that use domain names from the business enterprise architecture classification models used across the agency. Industry architectures and patterns may also be useful.

Using business scenarios

Business scenarios can be used as part of developing the architecture vision and target state architecture. Business scenarios help better identify and understand business needs the architecture must address. According to TOGAF, a business scenario describes:

• a business process, application, or set of applications that can be enabled by the architecture
• the business and technology environment
• the people and computing components (called ‘actors’) who execute the scenario
• the desired outcome of proper execution.

Where possible the business scenario should be linked to business outcomes and benefits identified in the strategic planning documents of the agency including the digital or ICT strategy or plan documents.

A good business scenario is representative of a significant business need or problem and enables stakeholders to understand a solution’s value to the customer and the agency.

Some of the information required to construct business scenarios may already be available from the Vision guideline  planning activities, particularly in circumstances where customer journey mapping and service blueprints have been used to assist to develop the service vision.

A value chain diagram or business context diagram may also be suitable for describing the business target architecture for planning purposes.

Last updated:

7 December 2022