Process Step 3: Define Business and Information Requirements    (3ZLQ)

Activity 3.3: Define target business and information architecture    (3ZLR)

Activity Description:    (3ZLS)

During this activity, the architect should define the optimal target business and information architecture to reflect each of the business and information improvement opportunities identified in the prior activities. During this activity, the architect will define the target business and information environments by developing target versions of the current state business and information artifacts previously developed. The scope of this analysis should focus only on critical processes and information at an appropriate level of detail and granularity so as to:    (3ZLT)

In the end, the target business and information architectures will be recommended for implementation. The result will be to achieve the strategic improvement opportunities from process step 2, to operationalize the organization’s data reference model (DRM), and to maintain compliance with information assurance and security mandates.    (3ZLX)

http://colab.cim3.net/file/work/fsam/Step3/3.3---Tasks.jpg    (3ZLY)

Activity Inputs:    (3ZLZ)

Tasks:    (3ZMA)

3.3.1 Define target business processes and their performance including organizational relationships    (3ZMB)

For each target product and service from process step 2, the architect should diagram the target chain of processes in a value-chain drawing describing the value that will be produced by the processes. The target value chain might be identical to the current-state value chain because it is not uncommon for changes to be at the activity level rather than at the process level. The intent of the target-value-chain analysis is to identify any differences in the processes that are currently being provided, versus those that need to be provided in the target state. The value-chain analysis will help determine where new processes are required and where existing processes may no longer be necessary.    (3ZMC)

Just as in the as-is analysis, the value chain should then be aligned to the target business function model and the FEA BRM. The architect should use the business function model to identify the critical business processes identified in the value chain analysis in the context of the business area functions and the FEA BRM. The processes identified in the business function model must be consistent with the processes identified in the value-chain models.    (3ZMD)

For each key process identified in the business function model and value-chain models, define and analyze the target business processes and associated performance measures needs to be defined and analyzed. The business process models (e.g. IDEF0, BPMN) should be developed to describe the units of work, rules, guidance, enablers and performance measures for each key target business process. In addition, the architect should identify the information exchanged between key business processes along with the producers and consumers of that information and the mechanisms used to enable the exchange. Information access and exchange services are summarized for information classes in the target information sharing matrix.    (3ZME)

The business and information architecture adjustment profiles are a major driver for the differences between the current and target state business process models.    (3ZMF)

Just as in the current state analysis, the architect should understand the relationships between processes and the organizations that perform or participate in those processes. Using the business function model, value-chain models, and business process models, architect should develop a target swim lane flow to describe a view of how organizational units interact in the context of the business processes that are delivering the services. The architect should make keen observations about accountability in the context of the organizations and their processes.    (3ZMG)

3.3.2 Define target data relationships and business data stewards    (3ZMH)

Using the understanding of the key information flows developed during the process and activity analysis, the architect should develop the target conceptual data model to provide a graphical representation of the business data requirements and relationships. The data model will provide the structure and terminology for information and data in the target environment. The target conceptual data model should include subject areas, information classes, key entity types and relationships. The target conceptual data model should be used to update the enterprise data reference model (DRM). The articulation of the target conceptual data model will be used in subsequent activities and process steps for continued analysis regarding data and its relationships to stewards and information sources.    (3ZMI)

The architect should develop target data steward assignments by mapping each information class within the target conceptual data model to an organization that will be the business data steward for that information class. The business data steward is responsible for the creation, maintenance and quality of the data to support target business activities in the target environment. Based on the development of the target data steward assignments, the architect should be able to communicate changes in stewardship and delivery of information. For instance, if two offices currently collect, store, and maintain the same data, and one office is designated as the steward, the other office could then become a customer of the steward office, rather than a second supplier of same data.    (3ZMJ)

3.3.3 Define the target information services    (3ZMK)

A matrix that documents how target business process use the business information identified in the target conceptual data model (e.g., CRUD analysis) should be developed. This matrix allows the architect to map target business processes to core data entities to help identify candidate information services, including new ADS, and business processes that need to use these information services (preliminary requirements for orchestration). The matrix also helps identify producers and consumers of this information. At the end of this step, the As-Is Key Information Sources and Qualitative Assessment artifacts should be updated with final recommendations concerning their designation as ADS.    (3ZML)

The identification of information services is a key component to the target architecture. This task allows the architect to bridge the business and information architectures by linking processes and business information. Through this analysis, the architect should discover opportunities for re-use of information in the form of information-sharing services. The architect should also look for information-sharing service opportunities outside of the segment, within other parts of the enterprise and within the federal sector.    (3ZMM)

3.3.4 Ensure target business and information architecture addresses strategic improvement opportunities    (3ZMN)

The architect should review the outputs of the activities and tasks to ensure that the strategic improvement opportunities identified in process step 2 have been adequately addressed by the target business and information architecture. During this task, the architect should review the business and information architecture adjustment profiles and the target business and information artifacts to ensure that there is full coverage of the strategic improvement opportunities from process step 2. Any strategic improvement opportunities that have not been addressed by the target business and information architecture to ensure that there are no relevant business and information touch-points. For instance, strategic improvement opportunities that are purely technology-related will be addressed in process step 4.    (3ZMO)

Considerations for Enterprise Services:    (3ZMP)

Enterprise services may be associated with the adoption of data standards and data services associated with target authoritative data sources. For example, geospatial services can include standardized mapping services for data as served by an authoritative data source (ADS) leveraging established geospatial data standards. Such enterprise services may also involve standardization of target business processes for consumers and producers of ADS information.    (3ZMQ)

Considerations for Business Services:    (3ZMR)

Business service segments may result in tightly coupling of standardized business processes supported by target authoritative data sources. For example, standardized grants management processes may be coupled with an authoritative data source for grants data to provide a common solution across the enterprise.    (3ZMS)

Communications Considerations:    (3ZMT)

Business experts should be engaged in defining the target business and data models.    (3ZMU)

Activity Outputs:    (3ZMV)

Suggested Analytical Techniques:    (3ZN8)

http://colab.cim3.net/file/work/fsam/Step3/3.3---AT.jpg    (3ZNI)

Next Activity: 3.4 /Validate_and_communicate_target_business_and_information_archiecture    (3ZNJ)