Enterprise Architecture Notation
Government of Rwanda has selected ArchiMate as a notation for enterprise architecture modelling. Models will be developed and stored within Sparx Enterprise Architect using the ArchiMate Notation.
Architecture Meta-Model
Effective enterprise architecture documentation entails the use of common standards that are easily applied and understood by both architects and target audience. To this end, apart from defining the enterprise architecture framework – which outlines the artefacts or primitives that need to be modelled
– there is also a requirement to define the relationship between these artefacts which are shared across the domains.
This relationship is defined using a Meta-Model. TOGAF has defined meta-model as:
“a precise definition of the constructs and rules needed for creating models.”
It further states that a meta model is:
“a model that describes how and with what the architecture will be described in a structured way”
As stated above, the government of Rwanda has adopted and modified TOGAF for its architecture implementation. By extension, the TOGAF Meta model has also been adopted and modified to ensure that it is truly aligned to the needs and requirements of government or Rwanda
The prime role of the Meta Model is to provide definition and relationship between all artefacts and building blocks that make up enterprise architecture.
To facilitate this process, the government of Rwanda has adopted the use of ArchiMate notation. To this end, the Meta Model covers four layers namely:
Business Layer Meta-Model
This cover phases A and B of TOGAF (Figure 2) i.e. Architecture vision and Business Architecture. The Business Layer Meta Model for the RGEA is depicted below.
Business Layer Objects
Information System Layer Meta Model
This covers the definition and usage of application and data concepts
Information Systems Layer Objects
Technology Architecture Layer Meta Model
This covers the definition and usage of Technology concepts
Technology Layer Objects
