Enterprise Architecture:
All enterprises both large and small operate within their architecture. Architecture is defined as the manner in which the elements are arranged or organized. For example, how does sales relate to finance, or personnel to operations. This is true whether the architecture is formal and explicit or informal and implicit.

The most useful enterprise architecture for business systems is the Zachman Framework. It describes the enterprise in a martix of owner perspectives by the interrogative of who, what, where, when, why and how.

Fully describing the business creates clarity of the issues and challenges, promotes understanding and improved operations, and allows the manager to drive more values from his processes.

Immediate value can be derived from the development of a Business Owner View (BOV) of a major process, department, division, or an entire enterprise.