What is Data Architecture?
To stay competitive, your organization has likely invested in a portfolio of systems: CRM, ECM, MDM, eCommerce, homegrown apps, and more.
Yet despite the hard work and investment, many people within your organization can still find it a challenge to quickly find the data they need, whether it’s to build, learn, sell, fix or develop your business. And this invites the prospect of failing your customers’ high digital expectations, being blind to what else your data could tell you, and missing real opportunities to engage, sell, and satisfy.
Your business has the technology, and it has the talent. If these are not the limiting factors, then what is?
The answer to this is Data Architecture. The Data Architect’s vision is getting the critical data to the correct people at the right time. To do this, the Data Architect must map and visualize data models in an abstract and easily-understood format, or blueprint. Only when this is accomplished can the initiatives to eliminate wasted time and resources be realized. And by doing so, allow your technology investments to support your business vision and fully deliver the most value.
Ultimately, successful Data Architecture can offer your customers a superior digital experience, keeping you in the game and driving your operational efficiency.
TOGAF and Data Architecture
The TOGAF documentation has a brief introductory chapter covering the development of Data and Application Architectures, and then a separate chapter each for Data and Application.
As with the other architecture development phases (B & D), the objectives are to develop the target information systems architecture for data and application and to identify candidate Architecture Roadmap components based upon the gaps between Baseline and Target Architectures.
Watch the video below to find out more about how the TOGAF ADM can be used as a starting point for describing the Information Systems Architectures for an architecture project.
