Leveraging the Zachman framework implementation using action – research methodology – a case study: aligning the enterprise architecture and the business goals

Abstract

With the emergence of new enterprise models, such as technology-based enterprises, and the large quantity of information generated through technological advances, the Zachman framework continues to represent a modelling tool of great utility and value to construct an enterprise architecture (EA) that can integrate and align the IT infrastructure and business goals. Nevertheless, implementing an EA requires an important effort within an enterprise. Small technology-based enterprises and start-ups can take advantage of EAs and frameworks but, because these enterprises have limited resources to allocate for this task, an enterprise framework implementation is not feasible in most cases. This article proposes a new methodology based on action–research for the implementation of the business, system and technology models of the Zachman framework to assist and facilitate its implementation. Following the explanation of cycles of the proposed methodology, a case study is presented to illustrate the results of implementing the Zachman framework in a technology-based enterprise: PyME CREATIVA, using action–research approach.

Keywords:

• action–research
• enterprise architecture
• technology-based enterprise
• Zachman framework

Acknowledgements

The research presented in this document is a contribution for the ‘Rapid Product Realisation for Developing Markets Using Emerging Technologies' Research Chair, ITESM, Campus Monterrey, and for the ‘Design of Mechatronics Products’ and the ‘New Business Models for the Knowledge Economy’ Research Chairs, ITESM, Campus Ciudad de México.

Notes

1. A technology-based enterprise is defined as an organisation that bases its business' value in the strategic deployment of its technological and/or knowledge assets, making critical the cohesive alignment between its IT infrastructure and its business model to leverage its competitive strategy.

2. An enterprise information system is any software or application that enables an organisation to integrate and coordinate its business processes (e.g. ERP, CRM, SCM).