This chapter dissects the structure of Enterprise Architecture, not be delving
into detail, but by “stepping back”. We describe the various facets of the term
“Enterprise Architecture”: Context, Content and Process. We then analyse options for
the scope of EA, from an ideal (or idealistic) scope of EA at one end, to the typical IT-driven
EA at the other. We propose a pragmatic and achievable scope and approach to
EA between these two ends, based on the strategic fit of business and IT.
Each of the three stages introduced in Chapter 3- Align, Elaborate and Govern-is
then discussed under this new light.
Keywords: Business and IT misalignment, communication misalignment, EA
stages: Align, Elaborate and Govern, enterprise evolution, pragmatic EA, scope of
EA, strategic fit of Business and IT, time misalignment, value misalignment.