IT-Architecture Capability Maturity Model
Introduction
Unlike many other maturity models, architecture maturity models deal with the actual observable behavior of architecture functions within a company [LAN09]. For the development of a SOA maturity model research on architecture maturity models is considered as important since they cover an important part of a SOA. Nevertheless, using only the ACMM for a SOA is insufficient as it does not particularly consider important SOA concepts such as reuse of services.
The IT Architecture Capability Maturity Model is one of the maturity models designed to measure how well the realization of architecture takes place. It was developed by the US Department of Commerce and is one of the most widely accepted maturity models in the market [LAN09].
Maturity Levels
The ACMM contains the following six levels of maturity which are described briefly according to [DOC09] and [LAN09]:
- Level 0 – NoneThis level is predominant if an organization only has an implicit architecture covering only some aspects with a very narrow scope.
- Level 1 – InitialHardly any stakeholders see the added value of architecture at this level because existing standards are not followed in many cases and processes are still at an ad-hoc stage.
- Level 2 – Under DevelopmentAt level two, most of the initial architecture work is done. Responsibilities, baselines, targets, and standards are defined but they are still in the process of application. Subsequently, the process of application is the main focus at this level. By communicating the value added by architecture, additional stakeholder buy-in can be achieved at this point.
- Level 3 – DefinedAfter the implementation phase at level two, most of the architecture is now in place and well defined. The standardized processes are followed at this stage and architects are now consulted for their expert advice on details, mainly.
- Level 4 – ManagedOperating staff is aware of the architecture and actively participates in the architecture process at level four. Moreover, quality metrics are in place and the documentation of the architecture is adjusted to the updated architecture on a regular basis.
- Level 5 – OptimizingAt the highest maturity level the architecture is continuously improved by feedback from all operating units and the implemented architecture metrics are used to further improve the benefit received through a managed architecture.
Architecture Characteristics
Additionally to these six levels ACMM defines nine architecture characteristics which are applied to each maturity level [DOC09]. As a result of each of these combinations ACMM defines a detailed description for each characteristic also taking the levels of maturity into consideration. [1] shows how the six levels and nine characteristics interrelate within the ACMM.
The maturity rating is defined to be either done by calculating the mean IT architecture maturity level or alternatively by showing the percentage achieved at each maturity level separately for the nine characteristics. The result is either the overall maturity level achieved in the former method or the maturity level per characteristic in the latter method [DOC09]. It becomes obvious that the latter one provides more detailed information, whereas the former one is more general and therefore suitable for the definition and verification of an overall architecture maturity target.
Letzte Änderung: 07.05.2009, 21:09 | 540 Worte