Why we need a Framework?

Just as what I set as the topic, today, I will talk about why we need a framework.

I will first post a video, which is a lecture given by Dr. Ackoff from UPenn. [2]

The lecture by Dr. Ackoff

As what you read from the lecture, Dr. Ackoff mainly introduced the way of quality improvement. How we can improve the quality? I think this is what EA used for. Because as Ackoff said, the definition of quality has something to do with meeting the expectation of customers or consumers. That is what EA needs to do -- to improve the quality of the existing systems to meet the expectation of customers or consumers.

The professor firstly analyzed about the reason of the failures. That is they have not been embedded in system thinking. According to the professor there are 3 key points of the system. 1st is that the system should be a whole consists the parts, each of which can effect the behavior or properties. 2nd is that all parts of the system should be interdependent. 3rd is each system has a central part, which is extremely to the system.

So, come by to our question, why we need a framework? First, let me refer the definition of the EA Framework from the Wikipedia.

An enterprise architecture framework (EA framework) is an architecture framework which defines how to organize the structure and views associated with an enterprise architecture. [1]

 So, EA framework is used to define the whole structure of a system. So, is it similar to what the Dr. Ackoff demonstrated. Yes, we need the EA Framework to help us to get a comprehensive way to improve the whole system. Not a single part.

I just analyze it in detail by using the Zachman Framework as an example.

The Zachman Framework

The whole framework gives a detailed structure analysis on the whole project. It analyzed from different perspective and different parts. So, people can get the gap from the analysis of the consistency of the whole system. What I want to emphasis is that when analyzing a system, we should analysis the whole system instead of some certain part under the guide of the framework. That is the meaning of a certain framework.

EA Frameworks are very popular for the companies who want to ask for EA. And here is a very detailed analysis and comparison among the different frameworks on the http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb466232.aspx#eacompar_topic5.

I think the EA framework is just effective if it used properly.

Why I say this? Because if there is only one part improved in the system, the whole system will never be proved. Think about it, if only your hand improved, will your movement system improved? Because there is no improvement in your neural system, no improvement in your legs. Your movement can hardly be improved harmoniously.

And the last thing. The improvement of the system should be what you want. And the EA Framework is that thing will help you to find out that.

[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_Architecture_framework
[2]: http://www.enterprise-advocate.com/2012/07/enterprise-architecture-systems-thinking/