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EA Capability and Operating Model

Design the operating model for an enterprise architecture capability, covering roles, governance cadence, tool stack, and maturity targets.

ADM-wideDerived from TOGAF

EA operating model: how the architecture function actually runs

A board mandate gives the architecture function its authority, and that authority flows down through the people, cadence, tooling and engagement that run it, all aimed at one maturity target each year.

An operating model makes the architecture function deliberate rather than accidental: who holds the mandate, who does the work, when they govern, what they work with, how they reach delivery, and what good looks like next year.

EA operating model: how the architecture function actually runs A vertical dependency stack of the enterprise architecture operating model with a left-hand axis pointing down, labelled authority flows into practice. Each running layer has a question chip on the left and a right tag for what it supplies. From the top: Why is Mandate and sponsorship; Who is Roles and structure; When is Governance cadence; With is Tooling and repository; How is Delivery engagement. An arrow labelled aims at points down into the one red terminal panel, the Maturity target, which moves the function from ad hoc to managed and is measured every year. A legend distinguishes a running layer from the terminal aim. Authority flows into practice WhyMandate and sponsorshipBoard sponsor, remit and decision rightsAuthority WhoRoles and structureChief architect, domain architects, design authorityPeople WhenGovernance cadenceArchitecture board, design reviews, waiversRhythm WithTooling and repositoryModelling, repository, standards catalogueTools HowDelivery engagementHow architecture plugs into agile and change teamsReach AimMaturity targetFrom ad hoc to managed, measured every yearGoal aims at Running layerTerminal aim An operating model makes the function deliberate, not accidental.Without a named mandate, owner, cadence, toolset and route to delivery,architecture happens by chance and never matures.