EA
Enterprise Architecture (EA) — Principles, Practices & Modeling Patterns
“Architecture is the bridge between a business dream and a firm decree.”
This repository serves as a professional knowledge base and methodology guide for Enterprise Architects. It moves beyond theory to provide hands-on architectural modeling practices, patterns, and samples across the full enterprise stack.
🎯 My Architectural Philosophy
I follow two core principles in building an Enterprise Architecture Practice:
- The Tree of Knowledge (Fundamentals First): As knowledge is like a semantic tree, we must understand the trunk and big branches (fundamental principles and core metamodels) before moving to the leaves (tool-specific details).
- Connective Intelligence: Architecture has no value in a silo. My practice focuses on building “Connective Intelligence”—linking Strategy, Business, Data, Application, and Technology layers into a unified, traceable model.
🛠 Architectural Modeling Practices
My work emphasizes rigorous Standard-based Modeling. I specialize in translating complex frameworks into actionable models using industry-standard tools.
1. Unified Modeling with ArchiMate®
I leverage the ArchiMate 3.2 Specification to create consistent, stakeholder-oriented views.
- Layered Viewpoints: Strategic, Business, Application, and Technology layers.
- Traceability: Mapping Business Drivers to Requirements and eventually to Physical Infrastructure.
- Patterns: Developing reusable modeling patterns for common transformation challenges.
2. Integrated Security Architecture (SABSA + ArchiMate)
I focus on aligning SABSA (Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture) with EA frameworks. This involves modeling:
- Contextual, Conceptual, and Logical Security Architectures.
- The “Security Overlay” within standard EA models to ensure “Security by Design.”
3. Ontology & Knowledge Graphs
Moving beyond static diagrams, I explore the use of OWL/RDF and Protégé to build EA Ontologies, enabling:
- Semantic search within the architecture repository.
- Automated relationship checking and logical reasoning across the model.
📂 Key Practice Repositories
| Project | Focus | Tooling |
|---|---|---|
| ArchiMetal Practice | Step-by-step transformation case study. | Archi (ArchiMate) |
| ArchiSurance Practice | Comprehensive insurance domain modeling. | Archi, FreePlane |
| ArchiMate SABSA | Risk-driven security architecture alignment. | Archi, Protege, JSON |
| EA Ontology | Building a semantic knowledge graph of ArchiMate. | Protégé, SPARQL |
🏛 The EA Content Map
Core Domains
- Business Architecture: Capability Mapping, Value Streams, and Organization Modeling.
- Information/Data Architecture: Data Objects, Flows, and Ownership.
- Application Architecture: Component Landscapes and Integration Patterns.
- Technology Architecture: Infrastructure, Virtualization, and Cloud realization.
Specialized Topics
- Integration: API-led connectivity and event-driven architecture patterns.
- Tooling Mastery: Advanced usage of Archi, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect, and Essential Project.
📺 Learning Resources
- YouTube: Yasen - Enterprise Architecture (Step-by-step modeling tutorials)
- Udemy: Modeling SABSA in ArchiMate
🤝 Support & Connect
I am an EA practitioner focused on transforming business complexity into clear, actionable models. If you find these patterns useful, feel free to support the project:
- LinkedIn: Xiaoqi Zhao
- GitHub: @yasenstar