CLEAR Framework for Enterprise Architecture
Encyclopedia
Enterprise architecture
An enterprise architecture is a rigorous description of the structure of an enterprise, which comprises enterprise components , the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships between them...
meta-model, framework and method. CLEAR stands for Comprehensive, Landscaped, Enterprise Architecture Representation.
CLEAR was developed by Atos Origin
Atos Origin
Atos S.A. is an international information technology corporation which operates in 42 countries worldwide, with over 78,500 employees...
in order to provide a rigorous Enterprise Architecture
Enterprise architecture
An enterprise architecture is a rigorous description of the structure of an enterprise, which comprises enterprise components , the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships between them...
framework, meta-model and method aiming at facilitating alignment between an Enterprise's business objectives and the technologies it deploys to realise them.
Overview
CLEAR borrows heavily from the Zachman FrameworkZachman framework
The Zachman Framework is an Enterprise Architecture framework for enterprise architecture, which provides a formal and highly structured way of viewing and defining an enterprise...
for Enterprise Architecture and the TOGAF
TOGAF
The Open Group Architecture Framework is a framework for enterprise architecture which provides a comprehensive approach for designing, planning, implementation, and governance of an enterprise information architecture...
framework specification. CLEAR is divided into four landscapes which contain artefacts. These landscapes are:
- The Environmental landscape which contains the Business Objectives or Contextual landscape
- The Business landscape which contains the Conceptual Business Architecture
- The Alignment Landscape which contains a functional architecture and services catalogue
- The Technology Landscape which contains all of the technical components necessary to deliver the business services (Software, Hardware and Infrastructure elements)
CLEAR's Services Oriented Alignment layer can be used to provide the specification for a Service-oriented architecture
Service-oriented architecture
In software engineering, a Service-Oriented Architecture is a set of principles and methodologies for designing and developing software in the form of interoperable services. These services are well-defined business functionalities that are built as software components that can be reused for...
approach.
Meta-model
The CLEAR meta-model contains the above landscapes and artefacts together with a TaxonomyTaxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
and Ontology
Ontology
Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality as such, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations...
to provide traceability and consistency across the architecture.
Framework
CLEAR contains an Information Technology GovernanceInformation technology governance
Information Technology Governance, IT Governance is a subset discipline of Corporate Governance focused on information technology systems and their performance and risk management...
framework and processes for Enterprise Architecture. These are largely derived from the ITIL
Itil
Itil may mean:*Atil or Itil, the ancient capital of Khazaria*Itil , also Idel, Atil, Atal, the ancient and modern Turkic name of the river Volga.ITIL can stand for:*Information Technology Infrastructure Library...
specification for service management.
Method
CLEAR contains a method for building the Enterprise Architecture itself. This is loosely based on the TOGAFTOGAF
The Open Group Architecture Framework is a framework for enterprise architecture which provides a comprehensive approach for designing, planning, implementation, and governance of an enterprise information architecture...
ADM but is claimed as being more focused on the solution of business problem areas rather than on building the Architecture as an end in itself.
Alternative Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
- Zachman FrameworkZachman frameworkThe Zachman Framework is an Enterprise Architecture framework for enterprise architecture, which provides a formal and highly structured way of viewing and defining an enterprise...
- DoDAF
- FEAFFederal Enterprise ArchitectureA federal enterprise architecture is the enterprise architecture of a federal government. It provides a common methodology for information technology acquisition, use, and disposal in the Federal government....
- MODAFMODAFThe British Ministry of Defence Architecture Framework is an Architecture Framework which defines a standardised way of conducting Enterprise Architecture, originally developed by the UK Ministry of Defence....
- AGATEAGATE (architecture framework)AGATE is a framework for modeling computer or communication systems architecture....
- TOGAFTOGAFThe Open Group Architecture Framework is a framework for enterprise architecture which provides a comprehensive approach for designing, planning, implementation, and governance of an enterprise information architecture...
See also
- Enterprise ArchitectureEnterprise architectureAn enterprise architecture is a rigorous description of the structure of an enterprise, which comprises enterprise components , the externally visible properties of those components, and the relationships between them...
- Business architectureBusiness architectureA business architecture is a part of an enterprise architecture related to corporate business, and the documents and diagrams that describe that architectural structure of business...
- Information architectureInformation ArchitectureInformation architecture is the art of expressing a model or concept of information used in activities that require explicit details of complex systems. Among these activities are library systems, Content Management Systems, web development, user interactions, database development, programming,...
- Software architectureSoftware architectureThe software architecture of a system is the set of structures needed to reason about the system, which comprise software elements, relations among them, and properties of both...
- Technical architectureTechnical architectureTechnical architecture is one of several architecture domains that form the pillars of an enterprise architecture or solution architecture. It describes the structure and behaviour of the technology infrastructure of an enterprise, solution or system...