Why Treating Multi-Variable Models (Compounds) as Elements Leads to Architectural Failures.
- Sunil Dutt Jha
- Jun 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 11
Treating multi-variable models as single-variable elements is akin to treating water as an element rather than a compound. This assumption leads to a fundamental misunderstanding of the complexity and interdependencies within the system. The resulting oversimplification impairs decision-making, stalls innovation, hampers problem-solving, and misaligns strategic goals.
The Analogy: Mendeleev's Periodic Table and Water
Before Dmitri Mendeleev introduced the periodic table, water was often considered an element rather than a compound. This misconception stemmed from a lack of understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter. Similarly, in enterprise architecture, the absence of an understanding of foundational frameworks, such as John Zachman's Framework, leads to the misinterpretation of multi-variable models (enterprise compounds) as single-variable models (enterprise elements).
Enterprise Elements
Enterprise Elements are the fundamental building blocks of the ICMG Enterprise Anatomy Model. Each enterprise element is a single-variable model that represents a specific aspect of the anatomy. These elements can be categorized into one of the following six types:
Information or Data: Represents raw facts and figures that the organization generates and uses.
Rule or Motivation: Encompasses guidelines, policies, principles, and objectives driving the organization's actions.
Location or Network: Refers to physical or virtual places where organizational activities occur and data is stored or transmitted.
Role & Responsibilities: Defines specific duties and accountability of individuals and teams within the organization.
Processing or Transformation: Describes actions, workflows, and processes converting inputs into outputs.
Timing or Event: Refers to the temporal aspects influencing organizational processes and activities.
Enterprise Compounds or Composites
Enterprise Compounds, also known as Composites, are multi-variable models that combine multiple enterprise elements. These compounds provide a more complex and interconnected view of the organization by integrating various elements. For instance:
Simple Enterprise Compounds: Example - A two-variable model combining Role & Goal or Application & Data.
Complex Enterprise Compounds: Example - A four-variable model integrating Goal, Role, Application, and Data.
Implications of Treating Multi-Variable Models as Single-Variable Elements
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