Enterprise Architecture Glossary
A single reference for the acronyms and terms introduced across this section — link here instead of re-deriving a definition from an earlier page.
| Term | Meaning | Defined in |
|---|---|---|
| BDAT | Business, Data, Application, Technology — the four architecture domains/views | The Four Architecture Domains |
| Capability | A stable verb-plus-noun description of what the business does, independent of org structure or technology | Business Capability Mapping |
| L0 / L1 / L2 | Capability decomposition levels, from high-level (L0) to detailed (L2) | Business Capability Mapping |
| Heat map | A capability map colored by an assessment dimension (e.g. maturity, risk, cost) | Business Capability Mapping |
| TOGAF | The Open Group Architecture Framework — a process-driven EA framework built around the ADM | EA Frameworks |
| ADM | Architecture Development Method — TOGAF’s repeating phase cycle (Preliminary, then A–H) | EA Frameworks |
| Zachman | A classification matrix (perspectives × stakeholder viewpoints) used to check architecture completeness | EA Frameworks |
| ArchiMate | An open modeling notation (not a process or matrix) for Business, Application, and Technology layer artifacts, designed to align with TOGAF | EA Frameworks |
| APQC PCF | Process Classification Framework — a published, cross-industry capability/process taxonomy many enterprises adapt rather than naming capabilities from scratch | Business Capability Mapping |
| TOM | Target Operating Model — the organization’s future-state description across all four BDAT domains | Target Operating Model & Roadmapping |
| Transition architecture | A realistic intermediate state between the current baseline and the target operating model | Target Operating Model & Roadmapping |
| Gap analysis | A capability-by-capability comparison of baseline vs. target state | Target Operating Model & Roadmapping |
| Roadmap | The sequenced, fundable plan of projects/transitions that closes the gap between baseline and target | Target Operating Model & Roadmapping |
| ARB | Architecture Review Board — the recurring forum that checks proposed designs against standards | Architecture Governance |
| Waiver | A tracked, time-boxed, justified exception to a standard | Architecture Governance |
| TIME | Tolerate / Invest / Migrate / Eliminate — the classification used in application portfolio management | Application Portfolio Management |
| Reference architecture | A pre-approved, reusable blueprint for a recurring design problem | Reference Architectures & Standards |
| Technology standard | A specific approved tool, platform, or format | Reference Architectures & Standards |
| Architecture repository | The single, kept-current store of architecture artifacts for all stakeholders | Stakeholder Management |
| Power/interest grid | TOGAF’s stakeholder classification technique — power × interest, sorted into Manage Closely / Keep Satisfied / Keep Informed / Monitor — used to match engagement effort to each stakeholder | Stakeholder Management |
| Azure Front Door | Microsoft’s global, edge-based entry point for web apps — routing, TLS, and WAF at the front door | Reference Architectures & Standards |
| Private endpoint | A private IP inside a virtual network for a PaaS resource, removing its public endpoint | Reference Architectures & Standards |
| Application Insights | Azure’s application performance monitoring/telemetry service | Reference Architectures & Standards |
| Bicep | Microsoft’s infrastructure-as-code language for declaring Azure resources | Reference Architectures & Standards |
| Well-Architected Framework | Azure’s published set of pillars and reference architectures teams adapt rather than reinvent | Reference Architectures & Standards |