Affiliations: Tennenbaum Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology,
Georgia, USA
Abstract: This paper introduces a strategic layer as separate and distinct
from an operational layer found in a traditional business architecture
framework. The motivation for so doing is to better understand the unique
processes of such a layer so that they can be better supported by the
enterprise. Several architecture frameworks from various domains are analyzed
in order to gain insights and test the potential viability and applicability of
a strategic layer in the context of a high-level enterprise system
architecture. Each is reviewed and assessed in terms of its potential
contribution and/or applicability to a strategic layer. For completeness,
architectures of human behavior and performance are also reviewed since they
may impact the execution of strategic layer processes. It is shown that while
some of the frameworks have applicability and may indirectly support the
processes contained within a strategic layer, none of the architectural
frameworks appear to explicitly support a strategic layer. However, analysis of
the frameworks may inform how processes contained within a strategic layer
might be better represented and controlled, and how this layer might be made
more interoperable with the operational layer of an enterprise system. These
findings lead to an elaboration of several research issues to better enable and
support those executives tasked with leading and managing an enterprise
system.