The ArchiMate language provides a structured framework for classifying and organizing the elements of an enterprise architecture. It offers two main frameworks: the Core Framework and the Full Framework. This guide will walk you through both frameworks, their components, and their applications.

ArchiMate Core Framework

The ArchiMate Core Framework is a 3×3 matrix that classifies elements based on three layers and three aspects. This framework focuses on modeling the core structure and behavior of an enterprise.

Layers

1. Business Layer
   • Focus: Models the business services offered to customers.
   • Elements:
     • Business Processes: Activities that create value for customers.
     • Business Actors: Entities that perform business roles.
   • Purpose: Represents the high-level services and processes that directly interact with customers and stakeholders.
2. Application Layer
   • Focus: Represents the application services that support the business layer.
   • Elements:
     • Application Services: Services provided by software applications.
     • Applications: The actual applications that realize these services.
   • Purpose: Provides the software applications and services that enable business processes.
3. Technology Layer
   • Focus: Models the infrastructure services required to run applications.
   • Elements:
     • Infrastructure Services: Services like processing, storage, and communication.
     • Hardware and Software Components: Physical and system software components.
   • Purpose: Offers the foundational infrastructure needed to support application services.

Aspects

1. Active Structure
   • Focus: Represents the elements that perform behavior.
   • Elements:
     • Business Actors: Entities that perform business roles.
     • Application Components: Parts of software applications.
     • Technology Nodes: Physical or virtual components in the technology layer.
   • Purpose: Represents the “subjects” or entities that carry out activities.
2. Behavior
   • Focus: Represents the 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: Represents the objects acted upon by behavior elements.
   • Elements:
     • Business Objects: Information or objects used in business processes.
     • Data Objects: Data used by application functions.
     • Technology Artifacts: Objects used by technology services.
   • Purpose: Represents the static elements that are acted upon by behavior elements.

ArchiMate Full Framework

The ArchiMate Full Framework extends the Core Framework by adding more layers and an aspect to provide a more comprehensive view of the enterprise.

Additional Layers

1. Motivation Layer
   • Focus: Captures the motivations behind the architecture.
   • Elements:
     • Stakeholders: Entities with an interest in the architecture.
     • Drivers: Factors that motivate change.
     • Goals: Objectives to be achieved.
     • Constraints: Limitations that affect the architecture.
   • Purpose: Helps understand the drivers and goals behind architectural decisions.
2. Strategy Layer
   • Focus: Models the strategic direction and choices of the enterprise.
   • Elements:
     • Capabilities: Abilities required to achieve goals.
     • Resources: Assets needed to support capabilities.
     • Courses of Action: Plans to achieve strategic objectives.
   • Purpose: Represents the strategic capabilities and resources of the organization.
3. Physical Layer
   • Focus: Represents the physical elements of the enterprise.
   • Elements:
     • Facilities: Physical locations and buildings.
     • Equipment: Machinery and tools.
     • Distribution Networks: Systems for distributing goods and services.
   • Purpose: Includes physical elements like facilities, equipment, and distribution networks.
4. Implementation & Migration Layer
   • Focus: Models the implementation and migration of the architecture.
   • Elements:
     • Work Packages: Units of work to be completed.
     • Deliverables: Outputs of work packages.
     • Plateaus: Stable states of the architecture.
     • Gaps: Differences between current and desired states.
   • Purpose: Describes the transition and migration processes from the current to the future state of the architecture.

Aspects

The Full Framework includes all three aspects from the Core Framework:

1. Active Structure
2. Behavior
3. Passive Structure

Choosing Between the Core and Full Framework

The choice between the Core Framework and the Full Framework depends on the specific modeling needs and the scope of the architectural description. The Full Framework allows for a more holistic representation of the enterprise architecture, addressing aspects like motivation, strategy, and physical implementation that are not covered in the Core Framework.

Reference List for ArchiMate Tool on Visual Paradigm

1. Free Online ArchiMate Diagram Tool
   • Description: Visual Paradigm Online provides a free online ArchiMate diagram tool that supports the notation and syntax of the ArchiMate 3 visual modeling language.
   • URL: Free Online ArchiMate Diagram Tool 1
2. Best ArchiMate Software
   • Description: Communicate architectural designs online with stakeholders and EA team members, gather feedback, and refine designs in ArchiMate tools. Model business processes with BPMN and design IT solutions with UML.
   • URL: Best ArchiMate Software 2
3. What is ArchiMate?
   • Description: Learn about ArchiMate, its concepts, and how it integrates with other languages like UML and BPMN. Understand its framework and relationships within enterprise architecture.
   • URL: What is ArchiMate? 3
4. ArchiMate Tools
   • Description: Learn how to use Visual Paradigm, a design and management tool designed for agile software teams.
   • URL: ArchiMate Tools 4
5. Main Page – ArchiMate Resources for FREE
   • Description: ArchiMate offers a visual language to model and capture enterprise architecture. It provides a means to visualize relationships within and between different domains.
   • URL: Main Page – ArchiMate Resources for FREE 5
6. ArchiMate Diagram Tutorial
   • Description: Learn how to create ArchiMate diagrams and understand their role in enterprise architecture modeling.
   • URL: ArchiMate Diagram Tutorial 6
7. Full ArchiMate Viewpoints Guide (Examples Included)
   • Description: Visual Paradigm Enterprise Edition is a certified ArchiMate 3.1 enterprise architecture tool. It supports all ArchiMate 3 vocabulary, notation, syntax, and semantics.
   • URL: Full ArchiMate Viewpoints Guide 7
8. ArchiMate Diagram in Visual Paradigm
   • Description: Learn about ArchiMate diagrams and how to use them within Visual Paradigm.
   • URL: ArchiMate Diagram in Visual Paradigm 8
9. Using ArchiMate Tool with TOGAF ADM
   • Description: Understand how to use ArchiMate tools with the TOGAF ADM method. Learn about the integration and benefits of using both together.
   • URL: Using ArchiMate Tool with TOGAF ADM 9
10. Free Examples & Templates: UML, ArchiMate, BPMN, etc
    • Description: Start modeling with UML, ArchiMate, and BPMN diagram templates and examples.
    • URL: Free Examples & Templates 10

This reference list provides a comprehensive overview of ArchiMate tools and resources available on Visual Paradigm, helping you understand and utilize these tools effectively in your enterprise architecture efforts.