Enterprise architecture diagramming systems and methods

• US 9,069,733 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2009
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Meredith, Eric P., Jeffers, Chad T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSUI, WILSON W
• Application Number:
  US12/555,951
• Time in Patent Office: 2,120 Days
• Field of Search: 715/211, 715/234, 715/733, 715/734, 715/762, 715/763
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/14 Tree-structured documents parsing G06F40/205; validation G06F40/226

Abstract

An enterprise architecture storage and organization system is provided which includes user-editable webpages to display enterprise architecture content. The webpages are organized in a framework, such as the Zachman Framework. The framework may comprise a plurality of units grouped into a plurality of levels and a plurality of categories. Each unit may have a user-editable webpage associated with it. The level of detail included within each user-editable webpage is variant depending upon the location of its associated unit in the framework. Units at the top of the framework contain broad or general information and the level of detail downwardly increases. Users may selectably edit the content of the user-editable webpages using an editor. Users may edit the text and edit and attach graphics. In some embodiments, wiki-type functionality may be utilized. The content of the various user-editable webpages may be standardized based on level and category.

Claims

1. A computer implemented system for storing enterprise architecture, the computer implemented system comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a framework of units displayed by a computer-based device,

wherein the framework comprises a set of levels and a set of categories, and each of the units are associated with one of the levels and one of the categories and wherein the levels comprise at least a system model level and a technology model level and the categories comprise at least a processes category, and wherein the framework is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium;

enterprise architecture content stored in the framework, wherein the level of detail downwardly progresses from broad to narrow between vertically sequential levels in each category of the set of categories;

a first enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a first set of graphical guidelines and comprising a first plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a first enterprise architecture, wherein the first enterprise architecture diagram represents enterprise architecture content from a first unit in the system model level and the processes category of the framework;

a second enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a second set of graphical guidelines and comprising a second plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a second enterprise architecture, wherein the second enterprise architecture diagram represents enterprise architecture content from a second unit in the technology model level and the processes category of the framework, and wherein the second enterprise architecture diagram is stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium;

at least one selectable header to select a corresponding level or category within the framework of units, and is programmed to generate a document containing the enterprise architecture content from all units in the framework belonging to the corresponding level or category upon selection of the header;

a plurality of user-editable webpages stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein each unit in the framework corresponds to at least one of the plurality of user-editable webpages,

wherein each user-editable webpage is accessed by selecting one of the units in the framework with an input device, wherein a first user-editable webpage corresponding to the system model level and the processes category displays the first enterprise architecture diagram upon selection of the first unit and wherein a second user-editable webpage corresponding to the technology model level and the processes category displays the second enterprise architecture diagram upon selection of the second unit; and

an editor permitting a plurality of users to view and modify each of the first or second user-editable webpages via a webpage interface; and

wherein the first set of graphical guidelines corresponds to a first common format applicable to the user modifications of the first user-editable webpage;

wherein the second set of graphical guidelines corresponds to a second common format applicable to the user modifications of the second user-editable webpage.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the technology model level comprises information related to at least one of application components, interactions of application components, infrastructure elements, connectivity of infrastructure elements, and deployment details of purchased commercial products.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the levels comprise at least a scope level, a business model level, and a detailed representation level, wherein the scope level comprises enterprise architecture information that is provided at a broader level of granularity than any other of the levels, wherein the business model level comprises enterprise architecture information that is valuable to business units that interact with a predetermined department, and wherein the detailed representation level comprises at least one of application source code, employee directories, IP address tables, and stock prices.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the categories comprise at least a definition category, an organization category, a time category, and a rationale category, wherein the definition category comprises information related to at least one of server uptime, network throughput, and request turnover times, wherein the organization category comprises information related to different positions within a predetermined department and skills required to perform the different positions within the predetermined department, wherein the time category comprises information related to a monthly schedule, a quarterly schedule, a year-end freeze schedule, reoccurring capacity appraisals, yearly budget planning, and employee evaluations, and wherein the rationale category comprises information related to providing a service, increasing revenue, and complying with a specific regulatory requirement.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a third set of graphical guidelines and comprising a third plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a third enterprise architecture, wherein the third enterprise architecture diagram corresponds to a third unit in the system model level and a location category of the framework, and wherein the third enterprise architecture diagram is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein a third user-editable webpage corresponding to the system model level and the location category of the framework displays the third enterprise architecture diagram, and wherein the third set of guidelines corresponds to a third common format applicable to user modifications of the third user-editable webpage, wherein upon selection of the first, second, or third units, displaying the first, second, or third enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a fourth enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a fourth set of graphical guidelines and comprising a fourth plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a fourth enterprise architecture, wherein the fourth enterprise architecture diagram corresponds to a fourth unit in the technology model level and the location category of the framework, and wherein the fourth enterprise architecture diagram is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein a fourth user-editable webpage corresponding to the technology model level and the location category of the framework displays the fourth enterprise architecture diagram, and wherein the fourth set of guidelines corresponds to a fourth common format applicable to user modifications of the fourth user-editable webpage, wherein upon selection of the first, second, third, or fourth units, displaying the second, third, or fourth enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the levels comprise a business model level and wherein the system further comprises a fifth enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a fifth set of graphical guidelines and comprising a fifth plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a fifth enterprise architecture, wherein the fifth enterprise architecture diagram corresponds to a fifth unit in the business model level and the processes category of the framework, and wherein the fifth enterprise architecture diagram is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein a fifth user-editable webpage corresponding to the business model level and the processes category of the framework displays the fifth enterprise architecture diagram, and wherein the fifth set of guidelines corresponds to a fifth common format applicable to user modifications of the fifth user-editable webpage, wherein upon selection of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth units, displaying one of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system model level comprises information related to at least one of request systems and available services.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user-editable webpage and the second user-editable webpage each comprise at least one standardized icon selected from a set of standardized icons, wherein the at least one standardized icon of the first user-editable webpage corresponds to the first common format and wherein the at least one standardized icon of the second user-editable webpage corresponds to the second common format.

10. A computer implemented system, the computer implemented system comprising:

a framework of units displayed on a web application using a computer system, wherein the framework comprises a set of levels and a set of categories implemented using one of a plurality of schemas, and each of the units are associated with one of the levels and one of the categories, and wherein each individual unit of the framework is associated with a user-editable webpage;

wherein each schema in the plurality of schemas provide a level of detail for enterprise architecture content included on each user-editable webpage wherein the level of detail downwardly progresses from broad to narrow, wherein the schemas comprise a set of levels and a set of categories, wherein the levels comprise at least a scope level, a business model level, a system model level, a technology model level and a detailed representations level, and the categories comprise at least a definition category, a processes category, a location category, an organization category, a time category and a rationale category;

at least one selectable header to select a corresponding level or category within the framework of units, and is programmed to generate a document containing the enterprise architecture content from all units in the framework belonging to the corresponding level or category upon selection of the header;

a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of user-editable webpages, wherein the plurality of user-editable webpages each include an enterprise architecture diagram,

wherein the plurality of user-editable webpages are managed by a wiki interface, wherein the enterprise diagrams are created in accordance with a set of graphical guidelines and comprising a plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent an enterprise architecture, wherein a first enterprise architecture diagram of the enterprise architecture diagrams corresponds to the system model level and the processes category of the framework and a second enterprise architecture diagram corresponds to the system model level and the location category of the framework; and

an input device, wherein selection of one of the units in the framework accesses its associated user-editable webpage; and

wherein a first user-editable webpage of the plurality of user-editable webpages corresponding to the system model level and the processes category displays the first enterprise architecture diagram, upon selection of a first unit in the framework; and

wherein a second user-editable webpage of the plurality of user-editable webpages corresponding to the technology model level and the processes category displays the second enterprise architecture diagram, upon selection of a second unit in the framework; and

wherein a first set of graphical guidelines corresponds to a first common format that is applicable when users make modifications to the first user-editable webpage;

wherein a second set of graphical guidelines corresponds to a second common format that is applicable when users make user modifications to the second user-editable webpage.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a feature for compiling the content of the plurality of user-modifiable webpages into a single webpage.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a third enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a third set of graphical guidelines and comprising a plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a third enterprise architecture, wherein the third enterprise diagram corresponds to the technology model level and the processes category of the framework, wherein upon selection of the first, second, or third units, displaying the first, second, or third enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a fourth enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a fourth set of graphical guidelines and comprising a plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent an fourth enterprise architecture, wherein the fourth enterprise diagram corresponds to the technology model level and the location category of the framework, wherein upon selection of the first, second, third or fourth units, displaying the first, second, third, or fourth enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a fifth enterprise architecture diagram created in accordance with a fifth set of graphical guidelines and comprising a plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a fifth enterprise architecture, wherein the fifth enterprise diagram corresponds to the business model level and the location category of the framework, wherein upon selection of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth units, displaying the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

15. A computer implemented system, the computer implemented system comprising:

a framework of units displayed on a web application using a computer system, wherein the framework comprises a set of levels and a set of categories, and each of the units are associated with one of the levels and one of the categories, and wherein each individual unit of the framework is associated with a user-editable webpage;

a plurality of schemas, the schemas providing a level of detail for enterprise architecture content included on each user-editable webpage wherein the level of detail downwardly progresses from broad to narrow, wherein the schemas comprise a set of levels and a set of categories, wherein the levels comprise at least a scope level, a business model level, a system model level, a technology model level and a detailed representations level, and the categories comprise at least a definition category, a processes category, a location category, an organization category, a time category and a rationale category;

at least one selectable header to select a corresponding level or category within the framework of units, and is programmed to generate a document containing the enterprise architecture content from all units in the framework belonging to the corresponding level or category upon selection of the header;

a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of user-editable webpages, wherein each user-editable webpage includes an enterprise architecture diagram, wherein the plurality of user-editable webpages are managed as a wiki interface;

wherein a first enterprise diagram is created in accordance with a first set of graphical guidelines and comprising a first plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a first enterprise architecture, wherein the first enterprise diagram corresponds to the system model level and the processes category of the framework;

wherein a second enterprise diagram is created in accordance with a second set of graphical guidelines and comprising a second plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a second enterprise architecture, wherein the second enterprise diagram corresponds to the system model level and the location category of the framework;

wherein a third enterprise diagram is created in accordance with a third set of graphical guidelines and comprising a third plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a third enterprise architecture, wherein the third enterprise diagram corresponds to the technology model level and the processes category of the framework; and

wherein a fourth enterprise diagram is created in accordance with a fourth set of graphical guidelines and comprising a fourth plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a fourth enterprise architecture, wherein the fourth enterprise diagram corresponds to the technology model level and the location category of the framework; and

an input device, wherein selection of one of the units in the framework accesses its associated user-editable webpage; and

wherein a first user-editable webpage of the plurality of user-editable webpages corresponding to the system model level and the processes category displays the first enterprise architecture diagram, upon selection of a first unit in the framework; and

wherein a second user-editable webpage of the plurality of user-editable webpages corresponding to the technology model level and the processes category displays the second enterprise architecture diagram, upon selection of a second unit in the framework; and

wherein the first set of graphical guidelines corresponds to a first common format that is applicable when users make modifications to the first user-editable webpage;

wherein the second set of graphical guidelines corresponds to a second common format that is applicable when users make modifications to the second user-editable webpage.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first enterprise diagram comprises a visual representation of an application and systems with which the application interfaces.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the third enterprise diagram comprises a visual representation of at least one internal component of the application, wherein the at least one internal component is selected from the group consisting of a user servlet, an administrative servlet, a request coordinator, a report generator, a webservice interface, and a database utility.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the fourth enterprise diagram comprises a visual representation of at least one server associated with the application, and wherein the visual representation comprises at least one of a server name, a server operating system, prominent software installed on a server, a deployment path of a server, port numbers of a server, and configuration settings of a server.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein a fifth enterprise diagram is created in accordance with a fifth set of graphical guidelines and comprising a fifth plurality of standardized graphical components to visually represent a fourth enterprise architecture, wherein the fifth enterprise diagram corresponds to the business model level and the processes category of the framework, wherein upon selection of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth enterprise architecture diagrams, displaying the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth enterprise architecture diagrams, respectively.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the second enterprise diagram comprises a data center, wherein the data center comprises at least one server, and wherein the second enterprise diagram is organized spatially by separating external components from internal components and users.