ArchiMate is an open and independent enterprise architecture modeling language designed to support the description, analysis, and visualization of architecture within and across business domains. It provides a structured representation of the various components of an enterprise, their interrelationships, and their integration with IT infrastructure. This comprehensive guide explores the foundational concepts, structure, and benefits of ArchiMate, equipping you with the knowledge to effectively utilize this powerful language in enterprise architecture development.

What is ArchiMate?

ArchiMate is a visual language that employs a set of default iconography to describe, analyze, and communicate the various concerns of Enterprise Architectures as they evolve over time. It offers a uniform representation for models that can support the complete architecture development cycle, from initial design to implementation and maintenance.

• Example: Imagine an organization aiming to streamline its customer service processes. ArchiMate can be used to model the current state of customer interactions, identify inefficiencies, and design a future state that integrates new technologies and processes to enhance customer satisfaction.

Key Concepts and Structure

Core Framework

The ArchiMate Core Framework is a reference structure used to classify elements of the ArchiMate core language. It consists of three layers (Business, Application, and Technology) and three aspects (active structure, behavior, and passive structure).

• Example: In a retail enterprise, the Business Layer might include processes like “Customer Order Processing,” the Application Layer could involve systems like “Order Management Software,” and the Technology Layer might encompass infrastructure such as “Cloud Servers.”

Core Language

The central part of the ArchiMate language defines the concepts to model Enterprise Architectures and includes concepts from three layers: Business, Application, and Technology.

• Example: A concept in the Business Layer could be “Business Process,” in the Application Layer “Application Service,” and in the Technology Layer “Technology Service.”

Elements

Elements are the basic units in the ArchiMate metamodel used to define and describe the constituent parts of Enterprise Architectures and their unique characteristics.

• Example: Elements could include “Business Actor,” “Application Component,” or “Technology Function.”

Relationships

Relationships define the connection between a source and target concept and are classified as structural, dependency, dynamic, or other.

• Example: A “Business Process” might have a “realization” relationship with an “Application Service,” indicating that the application service supports the business process.

Layers

ArchiMate is structured into layers that represent different levels of abstraction within an enterprise:

• Business Layer: Depicts business services offered to customers, which are realized in the organization by business processes performed by business actors.

  • Example: A “Customer Support Service” realized by a “Customer Support Process” performed by a “Customer Support Team.”

• Application Layer: Depicts application services that support the business, and the applications that realize them.

  • Example: An “Order Processing Application” that provides an “Order Management Service.”

• Technology Layer: Depicts the infrastructure that supports the applications.

  • Example: A “Database Server” that supports the “Order Processing Application.”

Aspects

Aspects classify elements based on layer-independent characteristics related to the concerns of different stakeholders:

• Active Structure: Represents the elements that exhibit behavior.

  • Example: A “Business Actor” or “Application Component.”

• Behavior: Represents the actions or activities performed by active structure elements.

  • Example: A “Business Process” or “Application Function.”

• Passive Structure: Represents the objects upon which behavior is performed.

  • Example: A “Business Object” or “Data Object.”

Full Framework

The full ArchiMate language specification adds strategy elements, physical elements, and the motivation aspect to the Core Framework.

• Example: The Motivation aspect could include elements like “Goal” or “Requirement,” which drive the architecture’s design.

Abstraction

The structure of the ArchiMate language accommodates several familiar forms of abstraction and refinement, allowing architects to model complex systems at varying levels of detail.

• Example: High-level business goals can be refined into detailed application and technology requirements.

ArchiMate vs. UML

While both ArchiMate and UML are modeling languages, they serve different purposes. UML is primarily used for software design and system modeling, focusing on the structural and behavioral aspects of systems. ArchiMate is tailored for enterprise architecture, offering a holistic view of the organizational, informational, and technical layers of an enterprise.

• Example: UML might be used to design the internal structure of an application, while ArchiMate would model how that application fits into the broader enterprise architecture.

How ArchiMate Supports Enterprise Architecture Development

The ArchiMate modeling language supports the development of Enterprise Architectures by:

• Providing a uniform representation for diagrams that describe Enterprise Architectures.
• Including concepts for specifying inter-related architectures, specific viewpoints for selected stakeholders, and language customization mechanisms.
• Offering an integrated architectural approach that describes and visualizes different architecture domains and their underlying relations and dependencies.
• Providing a language framework with a structuring mechanism for architecture domains, layers, and aspects.
• Distinguishing between the model elements and their notation, to allow for varied, stakeholder-oriented depictions of architecture information.

Relationships to Other Frameworks and Standards

TOGAF

The ArchiMate language complements the TOGAF framework by providing a vendor-independent set of concepts and relationships, including a graphical representation that helps to create a consistent, integrated model, which can be depicted in the form of views.

• Example: TOGAF’s Architecture Development Method (ADM) can be supported by ArchiMate models to visualize the architecture at different phases.

UML and BPMN

The ArchiMate language is not designed to replace languages for specific and detailed design, such as BPMN for business processes or UML for software. Rather, the ArchiMate language frames and integrates work between levels through high-level architecture models.

• Example: BPMN can be used to detail a specific business process, while ArchiMate provides a broader view of how that process fits into the overall enterprise architecture.

Customization

The language extension mechanism makes it possible to use the ArchiMate language to model domains that widen the context for work within Enterprise Architecture, and that are not focused on IS/IT.

• Example: Custom elements can be created to represent industry-specific concepts, such as “Regulatory Requirement” in a healthcare context.

Viewpoints

Viewpoints define abstractions on the set of models representing the Enterprise Architecture, each aimed at a particular type of stakeholder and addressing a particular set of concerns. They help define and classify viewpoints based on a repeatable structure and standardize the way that viewpoints are documented.

• Example: A “Security Viewpoint” might focus on the security aspects of the architecture, highlighting elements like “Security Policies” and “Access Control Mechanisms.”

Key Benefits of Using ArchiMate

• Improved Communication: ArchiMate provides a visual language that facilitates communication and collaboration among stakeholders.

  • Example: A clear diagram can help IT and business stakeholders understand each other’s perspectives and requirements.

• Better Analysis: ArchiMate enables the analysis of complex enterprise architectures, helping to identify potential issues and opportunities.

  • Example: Analyzing the impact of a proposed technology change on business processes.

• Enhanced Decision-Making: By providing a clear and comprehensive view of the enterprise architecture, ArchiMate supports informed decision-making.

  • Example: Evaluating the feasibility of integrating a new application into the existing architecture.

• Effective Change Management: ArchiMate facilitates the management of change and complexity within the enterprise.

  • Example: Modeling the transition from a legacy system to a new technology platform.

• Alignment: ArchiMate focuses on consistent alignment and coherence across all the domains of the enterprise.

  • Example: Ensuring that business goals are aligned with IT strategies and capabilities.

Learning ArchiMate

Learning ArchiMate is similar to learning any other language: it takes practice. It is advised to start with basic training with the core of the language.

• Example: Begin by understanding the basic elements and relationships in the Business Layer before moving on to more complex aspects.

ArchiMate 1-2-3

ArchiMate 1-2-3 is a simple approach to utilizing modeling within the architecture work, which is based on the smallest possible set of ArchiMate elements. The naming “ArchiMate 1-2-3” stands for “one holistic wholeness, two aspects (behavior and structure), three layers (business, application, technology).”

• Example: Using ArchiMate 1-2-3 to quickly model a high-level view of a new business initiative, focusing on the key elements and their interactions.

This guide provides a foundational understanding of the ArchiMate language, its structure, and its benefits in the context of enterprise architecture. By leveraging ArchiMate, enterprises can achieve a more cohesive and aligned architecture that supports business goals and drives success.