Structured Systems Evolution: Employing Dynamic, Executable Architectures

To enhance systems migration planning, including acquisition, implementation, and integration, an approach that injects executable enterprise information technology IT architectures into the Department of Defense DoD planning and budgeting processes is required. Such an approach is proffered in light of the overarching issue and debate concerning the use and benefit of generating and implementing architectures. The best features of several architectural frameworks are woven into the approach discussed here. Among those frameworks are the John Zachman and Steven Spewak concepts and the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance C4ISR strategy grounded in the Air Force Horizon, Navy Copernicus, and Army Enterprise architecture methodologies. Basic to these architectural approaches is the development of an enterprise business model, the identification of the tasks and activities performed within the organization. The approach takes the information systems developer from operational requirements reflected in the operational architecture to the systems infrastructure illustrated in the systems architecture to systems evolution outlined in the migration plan. By generating both As-Is and To-Be architectures it is possible to create a roadmap or migration plan from the current information environment to a future end state or objective. The construction of these architectures or blueprints is best accomplished in an architecture studio.