Summary of Enterprise Architecture
An Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a design or a conceptual blueprint of a business that defines the structure and operation of an organization. The purpose of an enterprise architecture is to depict the interrelationships of all components and the information flow. It shows how each component supports the objectives and strategies of an enterprise.
To achieve an overall view and to depict all those components and information flow, it is necessary to apply some architecture principles and practices to guide organization through the business, information, process and technology changes. These practices utilize the various aspects of an enterprise to identify, motivate and achieve these things. The business practice and perspective defines the processes and standards by which the business operates on a day-to-day basis. The information practice and perspective defines and classifies raw data that the organization requires to operate efficiently. Such raw data could be document files, databases, images, diagrams, presentations and spreadsheets among many more things. Another practice and perspective is the process that defines how the processes interact and what standards are used to do so. The last practice and perspective is to look at the technology that defines what kind of hardware, operating systems, programming and networking is used by the organization. By establishing a powerful enterprise architecture there are of purported advantages. For example an improved decision making process. Another advantage is to adapt easily to changing demands or market conditions. Furthermore, it helps to eliminate inefficient and redundant processes. Also optimizing the use of organizational assets and minimize the employee turnovers could be a great advantage.
The person who performs this complex analysis of business structure and processes is called an enterprise architect. They are called to make conclusions of the information they have collected. The architect is trying to address the goals of the enterprise architecture; effectiveness, efficiency, agility and durability.

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[ 1 ]. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/enterprise-architecture.html
[ 2 ]. Common Perspectives on Enterprise Architecture, Architecture and Governance Magazine, Issue 9-4, November 2013 (2013). Retrieved on 2013-11-19.
[ 3 ]. http://www.pragmaticea.com/display-doc.asp?DocName=peaf-foundation-vision