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Enterprise Architecture Maturity Assessment

A 54-question maturity assessment spanning 8 capability domains that evaluates the full spectrum of enterprise architecture practice from governance and standards through value realization. Written for the Chief Architec...

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Overview

A 54-question maturity assessment spanning 8 capability domains that evaluates the full spectrum of enterprise architecture practice from governance and standards through value realization. Written for the Chief Architect or Architecture Director who needs to answer: how mature is our architecture function, where are the gaps, and what should we invest in next?

Detailed Description

Enterprise architecture exists to ensure that technology investments align with business strategy, reduce unnecessary complexity, and create reusable capabilities that accelerate delivery. Yet many architecture functions struggle to demonstrate their value because they lack visibility into their own maturity gaps.

This assessment evaluates the architecture function across eight capability domains covering the full lifecycle from governance establishment through value realization. Each question is scored on three dimensions - Documented (is the practice formally defined?), Implemented (is it actually done?), and Effective (is it working and measured?) - revealing patterns that a simple yes/no checklist would miss. An organization might have excellent documentation but poor implementation (paper tiger), or strong execution but no documentation (tribal knowledge). The three-dimension model exposes these imbalances.

The assessment draws from established frameworks including TOGAF 10, ArchiMate 3.2, COBIT 2019, and ISO/IEC 42010, but uses original language accessible to both architects and business stakeholders. Results produce a CMM maturity level for each domain, a prioritized improvement roadmap, and dimension imbalance alerts that identify where to focus effort first.

Cross-functional input matters. Architecture governance affects project managers, standards impact developers, and stakeholder engagement determines executive support. Completing this assessment with representatives from these groups produces the most accurate and actionable results.

Assessment Details

Audience

Chief Enterprise Architect / Head of Architecture / CTO / Architecture Board Chair / IT Strategy Director. Secondary: CIO, IT Portfolio Managers, Solution Architecture Leads, Architecture Board members.

Purpose

Identifies strengths and gaps across every dimension of enterprise architecture practice. Shifts the architecture function from reactive project support to proactive strategic capability by providing a data-driven improvement roadmap that connects architecture maturity to business outcomes.

Effort

Initial assessment: 4-6 hours with a cross-functional team (Chief Architect, Domain Architects, Architecture Board representative, IT Strategy lead). Evidence gathering window: 2-3 weeks for initial assessment. Reassessment: 2-3 hours once baseline evidence is established.

Cadence

Annually, aligned with IT strategy and budget planning cycles. Supplement with mid-year progress checks against improvement plans to maintain momentum and demonstrate accountability.

Assessment Outline

(8 chapters · 54 questions)
  1. 1

    1 Governance and Organization

    • 1.1 Architecture Board Establishment 1 questions
    • 1.2 Architecture Roles and Responsibilities 1 questions
    • 1.3 Architecture Compliance Review 1 questions
    • 1.4 Decision Rights Framework 1 questions
    • 1.5 Executive Reporting and Communication 1 questions
    • 1.6 Architecture Funding Model 1 questions
    • 1.7 Governance Effectiveness Review 1 questions
  2. 2

    2 Architecture Principles and Standards

    • 2.1 Architecture Principles Documentation 1 questions
    • 2.2 Technology Standards and Approved Products 1 questions
    • 2.3 Standards Waiver Process 1 questions
    • 2.4 Standards Lifecycle Management 1 questions
    • 2.5 Reference Architectures 1 questions
    • 2.6 Standards Adoption Tracking 1 questions
  3. 3

    3 Architecture Development Method

    • 3.1 ADM Adoption and Tailoring 1 questions
    • 3.2 Architecture Vision Alignment 1 questions
    • 3.3 Baseline and Target State Documentation 1 questions
    • 3.4 Gap Analysis and Roadmap Development 1 questions
    • 3.5 Requirements Management 1 questions
    • 3.6 Stage-Gate Reviews 1 questions
    • 3.7 Transition Architecture Planning 1 questions
  4. 4

    4 Architecture Domains

    • 4.1 Business Architecture 1 questions
    • 4.2 Data Architecture 1 questions
    • 4.3 Application Portfolio Management 1 questions
    • 4.4 Technology and Infrastructure Architecture 1 questions
    • 4.5 Security Architecture Integration 1 questions
    • 4.6 Integration and API Architecture 1 questions
    • 4.7 Cloud Architecture Strategy 1 questions
  5. 5

    5 Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

    • 5.1 Stakeholder Identification and Mapping 1 questions
    • 5.2 Tailored Architecture Viewpoints 1 questions
    • 5.3 Roadmap and Vision Communication 1 questions
    • 5.4 Feedback and Collaboration Mechanisms 1 questions
    • 5.5 Executive Engagement and Sponsorship 1 questions
    • 5.6 Architecture Literacy and Training 1 questions
  6. 6

    6 Repository, Tooling, and Artifacts

    • 6.1 Central Architecture Repository 1 questions
    • 6.2 Enterprise Architecture Tooling 1 questions
    • 6.3 Metamodel and Modeling Standards 1 questions
    • 6.4 Artifact Lifecycle and Version Control 1 questions
    • 6.5 Repository Integration with Adjacent Systems 1 questions
    • 6.6 Reusable Building Blocks and Patterns 1 questions
    • 6.7 Architecture Analytics and Automation 1 questions
  7. 7

    7 Strategic and Business Alignment

    • 7.1 IT Strategy Integration 1 questions
    • 7.2 Portfolio Prioritization Integration 1 questions
    • 7.3 Solution Architecture Handoff 1 questions
    • 7.4 Investment and Budget Synchronization 1 questions
    • 7.5 Procurement and Vendor Guidance 1 questions
    • 7.6 Regulatory and Compliance Alignment 1 questions
    • 7.7 Digital Transformation Linkage 1 questions
  8. 8

    8 Value Realization and Continuous Improvement

    • 8.1 EA Value Metrics 1 questions
    • 8.2 Post-Implementation Review 1 questions
    • 8.3 Lessons Learned and Knowledge Capture 1 questions
    • 8.4 Periodic Maturity Self-Assessment 1 questions
    • 8.5 Architect Competency Development 1 questions
    • 8.6 Decision Effectiveness Tracking 1 questions
    • 8.7 Innovation Pipeline and Emerging Technology Assessment 1 questions

At a Glance

Category IT Strategy & Operations
Type Free
Chapters 8
Questions 54
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