Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a business function that deals with the structures and behaviors of a business, especially business roles and processes that create and use business data . It is a strategic framework that aligns an organization’s business strategy, processes, information, and technology to achieve its goals . EA provides a holistic view of the organization, enabling effective decision-making, optimization of resources, and adaptation to changes in the business environment .
EA is a well-defined practice for conducting enterprise analysis, design, planning, and implementation, using a comprehensive approach at all times, for the successful development and execution of strategy . It applies architecture principles and practices to guide organizations through the business, information, process, and technology changes necessary to execute their strategies . EA reduces redundancy, complexity, and information silos and business risks associated with IT investments .
The practice of EA analyzes areas of common activity within or between organizations, where information and other resources are exchanged to guide future states from an integrated viewpoint of strategy, business, and technology . EA gives business and IT leaders recommendations for policy adjustments and provides best strategies to support and enable business development and change within the information systems the business depends on .
The National Computing Centre’s EA best practice guidance states that an EA typically “takes the form of a comprehensive set of cohesive models that describe the structure and functions of an enterprise. The individual models in an EA are arranged in a logical manner that provides an ever-increasing level of detail about the enterprise” .
Important players within EA include enterprise architects and solutions architects. Enterprise architects are at the top level of the architect hierarchy, meaning they have more responsibilities than solutions architects. While solutions architects focus on their own relevant solutions, enterprise architects focus on solutions for and the impact on the whole organization. Enterprise architects oversee many solution architects and business functions .
: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_architecture)
: [LeanIX](https://www.leanix.net/en/wiki/ea/enterprise-architecture)
: [Visual Paradigm](https://www.visual-paradigm.com/guide/enterprise-architecture/what-is-enterprise-architecture/)