Enterprise Architectures play an important role supporting business transformation initiatives. Enterprise Architecture Governance (EAG) provides a structure for defining relevant strategies and compliance processes. This Level 3 Communications case study presents a detailed framework composed of three essential components of EAG:
1) Organizational Accountability must be clearly defi ned for all EAG aspects, and executive sponsorship is essential. Level 3 formed an executive steering committee with broad representation, preventing EAG from becoming an IT-only initiative.
2) Strategy Defi nition provides the roadmap for business transformation initiatives. Architectural guiding principles defi ne values and offer input into strategies, end states define where the company is going, and roadmaps document how to get there from.
3) Compliance Processes ensure that development initiatives are in alignment with the strategic direction. Level 3 has created a framework that gives each development initiative an architecture rating that indicates its compliance level.