A model to assess the usability of enterprise architecture frameworks

Abstract

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a blueprint which guides the manager in filling the gap between business and Information Technology (IT). Since the advent of Enterprise Architecture, scientists have created many frameworks to design and architect the enterprise architecture. EA frameworks have strong and weak points which should be considered in choosing the best EA framework for an organization. For this reason, the qualitative characteristics of the EA frameworks should be evaluated before implementing the EA in the organization, otherwise the organization might fail to achieve the organization goals, causing confusion in the business process and wasting a lot of resources. This research proposed the criteria and metrics for measuring the usability of EA frameworks. Respondents of the study were EA experts and IT architects of IASA Members. An URL link of the questionnaire was sent to them through LinkedIn social network website. Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) tool was used for data analysis. Based on the analysis results, a model for assessing the usability of EA frameworks was proposed. The criteria used to measure the usability of EA frameworks in the proposed model are Flexibility, Load Time, Security, Consistency, Accuracy, Completeness, Timeliness, Fault Tolerance, Resource Safety, Minimal Action, User Guidance, Resource Utilization, Time Behavior and Operability. The EA framework should provide a method to meet all of the proposed criteria in this research. The Ease of Use is obtained through meeting all aforementioned criteria in the EA frameworks. Those criteria have the capability to deal with EA complexity and enhance the quality of the framework. With this model, an organization can enhance the usability even after implementing the EA frameworks. In addition, the proposed model can be applied to modify the EA frameworks in relation to the quality aspects.