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Modeling Frameworks

Modeling an enterprise is a significant undertaking, but using a tried and tested industry framework reduces some of the risks and increases the benefits you will gain from the effort and resources used in the creation of the Enterprise Architecture models. Enterprise Architect supports the most popular frameworks, including TOGAF, UPDM, UAF, Zachman Framework, and the Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework. The tool provides many pre-built patterns that, when used, will reduce the modeling effort required and ensure you develop industry-compliant best-practice models, allowing you to concentrate your efforts on the architectural description of your enterprise.

Zachman Framework Interface diagram in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect.

Zachman Framework Interfaces Diagram showing the cells supported by the Enterprise Architect models.

Enterprise Architect allows you to use each framework independently or in combination. For example, you could use TOGAF for your overall Enterprise Architecture governance and description but use Zachman Framework as your content framework to describe and catalog the artifacts in the Architecture Landscape and the Reference Library, Standards, and Governance Log. In this topic, you will learn how to install and use each framework.

Modeling Frameworks

Framework/Language

Description

ArchiMate Framework

ArchiMate is a framework defined by The Open Group that provides a visual modeling language used in the analysis and design of business architectures. The scope for its use is primarily orientated towards enterprise modeling. 

TOGAF

The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) is one of the most widely accepted methods for developing Enterprise Architecture, providing a practical, definitive and proven step-by-step method for developing and maintaining Enterprise Architecture.

UPDM

UAF/UPDM tightly integrates with Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect and provides a model-based framework for planning, designing and implementing the Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM) architectures.

Zachman Framework

The Zachman Framework is a widely used approach for engineering Enterprise Architecture. The Framework is a simple, logical structure that helps in organizing the content models that describe the Enterprise.

ArcGIS Geodatabases

The ArcGIS framework supports the modeling and design of geodatabase structures for the Esri ArcGIS platform, using a modeling standard based on UML. ArcGIS models can be exported and imported via the ArcGIS XML Workspace document.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Enterprise Architect's Google Cloud Platform modeling provides constructs for creating expressive GCP diagrams used in specifying new Cloud infrastructure and platforms, as well as for documenting existing GCP structures.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Enterprise Architect's Amazon Web Services modeling constructs allow you to create detailed diagrams that specify Cloud infrastructure and platforms based on AWS infrastructure. This includes defining IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) and PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) environments.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure provides services to define IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service), PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service) Cloud environments. Enterprise Architect provides modeling constructs that allow you to create expressive Azure diagrams.

MDG Technologies

Using MDG Technologies you can extend the core UML structures to create a modeling framework based on a publicly defined model language or a language of your own definition. As a technology developer, can use Enterprise Architect to develop your own customized modeling languages and solutions.