Our Mission

The mission of the Architectures Center of Excellence (ACOE) is to be the definitive source for all aspects of Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture, for the purpose of advancing the implementation and understanding of both. The ACOE asserts the following, and pursues the Overarching Goals.

Assumptions

1. The professions of Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture require a source of understanding that is based on actual practitioner experience and successes.

2. Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture are fundamental for the successful participation of enterprises in the “new” world, and the body of knowledge of Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture that these Enterprises rely upon requires professional administration, skills verification, and continuous professional development.

3. Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture are the principle structural mechanisms for:

   1. Addressing continuing and accelerating rates of change through the use of Architecture Models

   2. Managing the Knowledge-Base of the Enterprise

   3. Reuse of Data, Processes, and Technologies

   4. Providing Technology and Application Implementation Models, based on Architecture Models, for Enterprise Management and Systems Management

   5. Aligning Technology and Application Strategy with Business Strategy

   6. Explicitly Visualizing, Developing, Presenting, and Understanding Business Strategy

4. Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture best practices have been proven to be best developed by looking at the past “ages” (Nomadic, Agrarian, Mercantile, and Industrial), and understanding the similarities and differences. The “Information Age / Knowledge Age” can gain significant insights from these past learning’s, as it matures. There is no proven “special privilege” of the Information Age / Knowledge Age that would suggest otherwise.

5. An understanding of Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture requires the following components to be considered to be complete:

   1. A Process

   2. A Classification, Taxonomy, and Framework

   3. A Work Breakdown Structure and Methodology

   4. An Enterprise Architect Maturity Model or Business Architect Maturity Model

   5. An Organization Change Model, Process, Methodology and Work Breakdown Structure

   6. A Set of Business Understanding Components

   7. A Set of Technology Understanding Components

   8. An Understanding of Architecture Models

   9. An Understanding of Implementation/Relationship Models

   10. Components geared toward “short term value”, that can be built upon to provide “long term value”

   11. Templates and tools to provide immediate practitioner guidance

   12. Criteria to allow practitioners to be recognized for growing competencies, as their experience grows, based on actual Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture enablement activities

6. Add to the professional development of Enterprise Architects and Business Architects by educating and consulting in “soft skills” - (Communication, Leadership, Management, Human Relations, Public Speaking, and Presentations) that achieve measurable, visible and reliable results by providing the most comprehensive professional and personal growth training.

Overarching Goals

1. Be the definitive source of Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture communication, research, and implementation understanding.

2. Provide a universal understanding and competence forum on Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture, for General Management, Technologists, Academicians, and Practitioners, that have an interest in implementing Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture concepts.

3. Advance Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture practices to be recognized as a profession, similar to the Engineering and Manufacturing professions.

4. Be the first choice for Enterprise Architects and Business Architects looking to develop their soft skills, in addition to their Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture skills.