Inspired pioneered the use of meta model driven EA Frameworks from the early 1990’s, providing one of the earliest integrated EA frameworks across business, applications, information and technology. The meta model driven approach has many advantages, including:

Clear definition of concepts so they are consistently used across definitions, documents, models and stakeholder communities
Facilitates integration of information from different domains and gathered by different analysts
Eases scoping of EA Assignments by allowing rapid identification of data required to answer critical questions
Integrates models from different perspectives to provide rigour, identify gaps and provide more insights without more effort
Captures much higher semantic content (meaning) than unstructured document based approaches

Over the years we have refined and extended this framework, incorporating ideas required by many (>70) client assignments/implementations as well as emerging thinking from other frameworks and languages, including IAF, TOGAF, FEAF, Zachman, Archimate, PEAF and others. Other extensions added Application Portfolio Management (APM), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Programme Management into the mix. This was supported by academic work in integrated frameworks, collaborative modelling and meta modelling.

Associated tooling, in the form of EVA, provided support for a central repository accessible to all stakeholders via the web and desktop modelling component. EVA grew in capabilities too, to support planning via Canvasses (ala Osterwalder ), customised portals (e.g. for APM) and sophisticated visualisations to gain new insights.

Graham McLeod has been conducting research (including towards a PhD ) on integration of methods, meta models and visual languages for a number of years. With colleagues, especially Charles Edwards, he now introduces a new, integrated, comprehensive and holistic meta model supporting strategy, enterprise architecture (business, process, security, information, technology domains) as well as the aspect of organisational change (motivations, programmes, projects etc. ). The meta model is mapped to a consistent visual language that is suitable for use with all stakeholders.

The new framework, meta models and visual language are already finding its first application in client projects and are proving very capable and effort effective.

If you would like to know more, please contact us using this form.

IAF = Integrated Architecture Framework from Cap Gemini

TOGAF™ = The Open Group Architecture Framework from the Open Group

FEAF = Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework from the US Government

Zachman = Zachman Frameworks from John Zachman and the Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement

Archimate™ = Archimate EA Modeling Language from the Open Group

PEAF = Pragmatic EA Framework from Kevin Lee Smith

EVA = Enterprise Value Architect from Inspired

Are you involved in shaping strategy?

Inspired pioneered business architecture (in the form of integrated business strategy and strategic IT planning) as far back as 1989. We continued to evolve methods, techniques, frameworks and meta models to effectively deliver business value. Tools followed to support the techniques and collaboration while generating new insights through inference and visualisation. We introduced our Techniques and Deliverables of Business Architecture training in 2011. This has run over 40 times to wide acclaim, while evolving over the years to incorporate cloud, digital, user experience, exponential organisations, design thinking, digital currency, internet of things and many other innovations.

In 2019, we revised our frameworks and meta model resulting in the new Inspired Holistic Architecture Language©. Now, in 2020, we are launching our Business Architecture Master Class. This condenses key elements of the Techniques and Deliverables course in its latest incarnation and goes further to challenge delegates with ground breaking research and practice as it is applied by the most innovative and successful organisations. It covers “Meta” architecture skills such as tailoring frameworks, using meta models and leveraging abstraction and reference models.

The master class will be led by our Founder/Chief Architect, Graham McLeod, with 18 years of academic work and 30 years of application across more than 60 organisations behind it. Graham has engaged in ground breaking research in enterprise modelling and design of supporting visual languages and tools over the last six years.

If you want to shape Desirable Futures, join today’s CIOs, Chief Strategy Officers, hands on CEOs and Senior Business Architects and be there. Coming in late May. Participation limited to a maximum of 25 delegates. To register your interest click here.

The Inspired Holistic Architecture Language©

Introducing the Business Architecture Master Class