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IT Investment Management

IT Architecture Framework: Architecture Principles

Definition of Architecture Principles

A comprehensive information technology architecture is essential to further implementation of the ED information technology vision. The critical first step toward creating an effective ITA is the development of architecture principles.

According to the TAFIM, architecture principles are "simple, direct statements of how an organization wants to use information technology in the long term." Architecture principles are derived primarily from business drivers, but also may be influenced by organizational practices and policies, existing architectures, strategic business decisions, and trends in information technology. These principles are expressed at a high level, and are not intended to define standards and technology choices. Rather, the principles focus on the expected behavior of the information technology architecture which, when combined with information about the baseline and target architectures, will guide IT professionals in the development of standards and selection of vendor products needed to produce that behavior.

Each principle includes a rationale for its selection as well as a brief assessment of the benefits and costs associated with its application. The migration to a standards-based IT architecture will require investments not only in technology but also in the cultural and institutional changes needed to support reinvented work processes in an IT environment based on open systems and shared resources. In particular, the Department must be careful to strike the right balance between the application of enterprise-wide IT principles and standards and the need to encourage creativity and entrepreneurial behavior in the pursuit of strategic goals and objectives.