What is The Zachman Framework?
The Zachman framework was developed by John Zachman in 1987. It is not a conventional method. We think of Zachman as a template that describes how diverse ideas are perceived from unique standpoints. The Zachman framework comprises a set of information management rules that are presented in a 36-cell table format.
The Zachman framework drives an architect to explain What, Where, When, How, Who, and Why to different audiences.
The Zachman framework is presented in a 36-cell two-dimensional matrix comprising six columns and six rows. The rows show the perspectives, while the columns represent the fundamental questions. This matrix gives a complete, structured overview of enterprise representations.
The Zachman framework is quite flexible to work on projects concerning any scope. Zachman is about the relationships between different cells. It is about the information you need to analyze and explain to manage your architecture.
The Zachman framework perspectives are executive, management, architect, engineer, technician, and enterprise.
- Executive Perspective—This describes the purpose of the enterprise architecture program concerning business strategy. It allows the planner to get information regarding the size and cost of the systems.
- Business Management Perspective—This describes in terms of enterprise models, design choices, and business processes adopted by the organization. The business management perspective is a useful tool for owners who want to understand every detail of their business operations. The owners also get to know how the different processes interact.
- Architect Perspective—This describes the system logic recounting how business requirements will be met. The architect determines how the software works and then representing the entire business model.
- Engineer Perspective—This describes how technology solutions will implement system choices. This guarantees the contractor addresses persistent business challenges with specific methods.
- Technician Perspective—This component describes the requirements regarding specific modular tooling components. It takes place when a programmer is offered instructions on how to carry forward.
- Enterprise Perspective—This is the functioning system as viewed by the user their operational environment.
The Zachman framework columns represent the fundamental questions which are: "What, Where, When, Who, and Why."
- What? – This represents the whole enterprise data that each row would deal with.
- Where? – This is all about logistics, geographical locations, and interconnections.
- When? This represents events and business cycles that trigger business activities.
- How? – This represents the process flows and how the business performs.
- Who? – This represents the interaction and organizational units between both technology and other individuals.
- Why? – This represents overall strategies and business goals into specific means.
The matrix format represents actors and their relationships with decision criteria.
How Does Zachman Stack-Up as an Architecture Framework?
When evaluating Zachman, we need to know what to look for. We look for essential scaffolding when considering enterprise architecture frameworks.
What to look for in an Enterprise Architecture Framework
We look for tools and method, these elements all go into an optimized enterprise architecture framework.
Tools can include:
- Analytic Models
- Viewpoint Library
- Reference Architectures
- Architecture Specifications
- Deliverables
Method will address:
- Architecture Development Method
- Transition to Implementation
- Implementation Governance
- Enterprise Architecture Work Management
When compared to all the things needed in an optimized framework, Zachman is quite limited. This does not mean there are no Zachman framework uses cases. It means that a complete framework needs more.
Zachman Framework |
|
| Tools | |
| Analytic Models | Limited
Zachman identifies the information you need to know. It is silent on the analysis you need and how to perform it. |
| Viewpoint Library | The six fundamental questions and the perspectives provide the start of a solid ViewPoint Library. |
| Reference Architecture | Missing |
| Architecture Specifications | Missing |
| Deliverables | Missing |
| Method | |
| Architecture Development Method | Missing |
| Transition to Implementation | Missing |
| Implementation Governance | Missing |
| Enterprise Architecture Work Management | Missing |
Using Zachman to Build an Optimized Framework
Zachman is a strong foundation to build an optimized architecture framework. SABSA was built on Zachman scaffolding. It provides a very powerful example.
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What is The TOGAF Framework?
We cannot talk about the TOGAF Framework without highlighting its history. The framework developed by members of the The Open Group. The Open Group's Architecture Forum members recognized the need for — and began developing best practices for enterprise architecture.
The result of this best practice work is the TOGAF Architectural Development Method (ADM). It offers a systematic and step-by-step approach to developing and using an architecture.
TOGAF vs Zachman Framework
This a difficult comparison. We think of TOGAF plus Zachman since they both complement each other.
The centerpiece of TOGAF is very different to Zachman.
Zachman identifies who you need information for, and what information you need. The Zachman framework doesn’t provide any actual implementation guidelines for creating architectural artifacts.
In contrast, TOGAF is strong on how to develop architecture. It is very flexible about the information you need. Rather than prescription, TOGAF advises working backwards from your stakeholders and the scope of the architecture project.
Let’s then conduct a brief comparison between the two frameworks and highlight some of the steps to optimize your enterprise architecture framework.
TOGAF vs Zachman Framework
This table compares the strengths and weaknesses of TOGAF and Zachman, with steps to build an optimized framework.
Zachman is a strong foundation to build an optimized architecture framework. Look at SABSA as an example. It was built using Zachman scaffolding.
| Zachman Framework | TOGAF Framework | Optimize Your EA Framework | |
| Tools | |||
| Analytic Models | Limited
Zachman identifies the information you need to know. It is silent on the analysis you need and how to perform it. |
Limited
|
Find the analytic models your enterprise architecture use case requires |
| Viewpoint Library | The six fundamental questions and the perspectives provide the start of a solid ViewPoint Library. | Template in Practitioner's Guide | Leverage Zachman and Practitioner's Guide |
| Reference Architecture | Missing | Limited and an odd assortment:
|
Find the reference architectures your enterprise architecture use case requires |
| Architecture Specifications | Missing | Limited | |
| Deliverables | Missing | Topical list | Identify the deliverables your optimized framework requires |
| Method | |||
| Architecture Development Method | Missing | Comprehensive Architecture Development Method is generic method covering many enterprise architecture use cases.
Specific how-to methods include:
|
Convert the TOGAF ADM to work management aligned to your enterprise architecture use case |
| Transition to Implementation | Missing | Phase E (Opportunities & Solutions) and Phase F (Implementation Planning) in Comprehensive Architecture Development Method | Convert the TOGAF ADM to enterprise planning aligned with your use case |
| Implementation Governance | Missing | Phase G (Implementation Governance) in Comprehensive Architecture Development Method | Convert the TOGAF ADM to enterprise execution aligned with your use case |
| Enterprise Architecture Work Management | Missing | Missing | Develop a work management approach |
Let’s then conduct a brief comparison between the two frameworks and highlight some of the unique features of each framework.
Key Features Compared
TOGAF
- It solves problems within the organization by fostering synchronized communication between all stakeholders.
- The TOGAF framework is highly adaptable and versatile in implementation.
- It offers a far more practical and beneficial approach.
- It aids the best implementation of enterprise software in the most orderly and structured manner.
- It has significant credibility and has a high level of market trust today.
- The Architecture Development Method (ADM) is a critical element of TOGAF and is a powerful tool.
- Sometimes the TOGAF framework might be perceived as slow and thus users have to administratively modify the framework’s structure.
- It is an open and free-to-read framework that originates from a massive community.
Zachman
- The framework has a wide array of related tools that different users can utilize.
- It enhances communication at an individual level right inside the information system.
- The Zachman framework can give rise to a documentation-heavy approach.
- There’s a segment of professionals who do not accept the framework in expert practice.
- Users don't need to start from the top cell downwards. This means that you are free to choose to start from any cell and then further iterate from that point.
- The framework still follows the conventional techniques that revolve around data.
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Pros and Cons of The TOGAF and Zachman Frameworks
Like all other things, these two frameworks are not perfect, meaning that both frameworks have their strengths and their shortcomings. The following are some of the pros and cons of the frameworks:
Pros of TOGAF
- One of the biggest advantages of the Open Group's framework is that it provides a straightforward, step-by-step method for designing enterprise architecture. This makes it simple to use and results in massive savings of resources by organizations.
- It is simple to use and consists of extensive documentation, meaning that IT administrators within organizations will have minimal issues when it comes to maintaining the IT architecture once it’s implemented.
- TOGAF® is the world’s most popular Enterprise Architecture framework, and it provides a standardized architecture development process and uniform descriptions of parts and deliverables. This means that the TOGAF framework is easily transferable across various sectors and business units.
- The framework is not a one-size-fits-all framework but it is flexible and highly adaptable meaning that it may be used together with other frameworks. This means that TOGAF can be used entirely or partially depending on the company’s needs.
Pros of Zachman
- The framework aids the improvement of communication among professionals in the information systems field.
- It allows organizations to recognize the benefits and drawbacks of not developing a single architectural depiction.
- The Zachman framework facilitates comparing and contrasting a wide range of tools and approaches in the practice of enterprise architecture.
- One of the Zachman framework's greatest successes is the awareness that there is no single unified design that fits everyone's needs.
- The framework also denotes the importance of developing better methods (including processes and tools) used for producing architectural representations.
Cons of TOGAF
- Learning and implementing TOGAF in a bubble and solitude is difficult. It is a requirement that individuals take up a training course after which they get TOGAF® Certification. This certification proves that an individual has learned the principles of the framework and how to implement it.
- Owing to the complex nature and technique of the framework, it might necessitate the involvement of a complete team to successfully implement. This group covers both labor and other resources needed.
- Pre-design functions are formalized in the framework, restricting the space for experimentation and modification.
Cons of Zachman
- The Zachman framework tends to favor traditional, data-centric methodologies. This explains its widespread use in the data field.
- The framework isn’t popular in the development community and few developers have even heard of it.
- It might result in a document-heavy strategy. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
TOGAF or Zachman – Choosing the Best Enterprise Framework
As highlighted, there is no perfect framework, and the choice of which one to use entirely depends on the approach of your organization. Both the Zachman and TOGAF frameworks are useful enterprise architecture tools and they both have their strengths as well as their shortcomings.
The TOGAF framework offers a systematic approach to defining the entire enterprise architecture process. The Architecture Development Method (ADM) which is a distinctive element in the TOGAF framework empowers the implementation of the framework through the set-out procedures which facilitate any decision-making processes and produce the desired business model.
On the other hand, the Zachman framework is all about ontology. This means that it is a set of organized statements defining how objects can be classified, generated, used, and altered. The framework leverages a variety of enterprise perspectives to scope, define, and plan specific components of an enterprise system.
It is completely up to an organization to select which framework would best fit their specific needs. Some organizations even decide not to undertake the difficult choice by amalgamating the frameworks and getting the full benefits of what they both offer.
TOGAF vs. Zachman Conclusion
The question of TOGAF vs Zachman is a difficult one to call. Experts even advise that to get the best of both worlds you should use the frameworks in harmony. Despite the differences, distinctive methodologies, merits, and drawbacks of each framework they don't conflict or negate each other. Organizations that utilize both these frameworks have shown great success in the operation of their enterprise architecture.
We use Zachman in the first phase of TOGAF (Architecture Vision Phase) to ensure that we understand who we are serving and what materials we need to produce. If you want to kick start or improve your enterprise architecture career, you can do that with us through our TOGAF Training course. Once you undertake the course and pass The Open Group’s exams then you get certified.
