Comprehensive Guide to the ArchiMate Core Framework

The ArchiMate Core Framework is a structured approach to categorizing elements within an enterprise architecture. It organizes these elements into three layers and three aspects, providing a comprehensive view of the enterprise’s components and their interactions. This guide will walk you through the layers, aspects, and their combinations, as well as the extended framework known as the ArchiMate Full Framework.

Layers

The ArchiMate language classifies elements into three core layers: Business, Application, and Technology. Each layer represents a different level of the enterprise.

1. Business Layer

• Focus: Services offered to customers.
• Elements:
  • Business Actors: Entities that perform business roles.
  • Business Processes: Activities that create value for customers.
  • Business Objects: Information or objects used in business processes.
• Purpose: Represents the high-level services and processes that directly interact with customers and stakeholders.

2. Application Layer

• Focus: Application services supporting the Business Layer.
• Elements:
  • Application Services: Services provided by software applications.
  • Software Applications: The actual applications that realize these services.
• Purpose: Provides the software applications and services that enable business processes.

3. Technology Layer

• Focus: Infrastructure services required to run applications.
• Elements:
  • Hardware: Physical components like servers and networks.
  • System Software: Operating systems and other foundational software.
• Purpose: Offers the foundational infrastructure needed to support application services.

Aspects

The ArchiMate language also classifies elements into three aspects: Active Structure, Behavior, and Passive Structure. These aspects group elements based on their characteristics.

1. Active Structure

• Focus: Structural elements that perform behavior.
• Elements:
  • Business Actors: Entities that perform business roles.
  • Application Components: Parts of software applications.
  • Nodes: Physical or virtual components in the technology layer.
• Purpose: Represents the “subjects” or entities that carry out activities.

2. Behavior

• Focus: Actions performed by active structure elements.
• Elements:
  • Business Processes: Activities that create value for customers.
  • Application Functions: Functions performed by software applications.
  • Technology Services: Services provided by technology components.
• Purpose: Describes the dynamic actions and processes within the enterprise.

3. Passive Structure

• Focus: Objects that behavior is performed on.
• Elements:
  • Business Objects: Information or objects used in business processes.
  • Data Objects: Data used by application functions.
  • Technology Objects: Objects used by technology services.
• Purpose: Represents the static elements that are acted upon by behavior elements.

Combining Layers and Aspects

The ArchiMate Core Framework combines these layers and aspects into a matrix of nine cells. Each cell represents a specific combination of a layer and an aspect. For example:

• Business Layer + Behavior Aspect: Contains business processes.
• Application Layer + Active Structure Aspect: Contains application components.
• Technology Layer + Passive Structure Aspect: Contains technology objects.

Relationships and Flexibility

Classifying elements into layers and aspects helps to understand the relationships between different parts of an enterprise architecture. For example:

• A business process in the Business Layer might be realized by an application function in the Application Layer.
• An application function in the Application Layer might be realized by a technology service in the Technology Layer.

It’s important to remember that the classification of elements is a global categorization, and real-life elements might not strictly fit into a single aspect or layer. Elements can also link different aspects and layers. For example, business roles can be viewed as both structural and behavioral elements, bridging the Active Structure and Behavior aspects.

ArchiMate Full Framework

The ArchiMate Full Framework extends the Core Framework by adding more layers and aspects, providing a more detailed and comprehensive view of the enterprise architecture.

Additional Layers and Aspects

1. Motivation Aspect:
   • Focus: Models the reasons for change.
   • Purpose: Helps understand the drivers and goals behind architectural decisions.
2. Strategy Layer:
   • Focus: Models an organization’s capabilities.
   • Purpose: Represents the strategic capabilities and resources of the organization.
3. Physical Layer:
   • Focus: Represents the physical world.
   • Purpose: Includes physical elements like facilities and equipment.
4. Implementation and Migration Layer:
   • Focus: Models the implementation of an architecture.
   • Purpose: Describes the transition and migration processes from the current to the future state of the architecture.

Conclusion

The ArchiMate Core Framework and its extension, the Full Framework, provide a structured and comprehensive approach to enterprise architecture. By classifying elements into layers and aspects, and understanding their relationships, organizations can gain a clear view of their architecture and make informed decisions. This guide should help you understand and apply the ArchiMate framework effectively in your enterprise architecture efforts.

Other ArchiMate Resources:

• The Open Group Certified ArchiMate 3 Tool
• What is ArchiMate?
• ArchiMate diagram
• How to Draw ArchiMate 3.0.1 Diagram?
• Understanding ArchiMate Viewoints Mechanism
• ArchiMate Viewpoint Guide