Classification to EA classification models results in three key analysis areas, these are Coverage, Gaps and Duplicates. When combined with cost information about elements such as the annual cost of operation or replacement cost, a spend per domain analysis can also be conducted.
The table below explains the key outcomes that result from classifying elements to their respective EA classification models.
Analysis area | Description | Interpretation |
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Coverage |
The extent to which elements are spread across the business or functional domains of the EA Classification models.
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Coverage is a general indicator of how the services, business processes and assets are distributed across the relevant domains of the EA Classification model. For example, is there a concentration of processes or assets in a particular line of business or area of capability.
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Gaps |
The proportion of domains in each of the EA Classification Models have no elements classified to them.
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Gaps are particularly important for domains in frameworks that directly support the line of business or strategic direction of the organisation. Gaps indicate the organisation may have failed to adequately invest in services, processes and assets that directly support line of business of the organisation
and its customers.
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Duplicates |
The proportion of domains in each of the EA Classification Models have multiple elements classified to them.
| Duplication may indicate the organisation has over invested in assets or services in particular domains and is duplicating processes and functions. The organisation may question what the extent of potential duplicate processes and ICT assets or services in the organisation and to what extent the portfolio of processes and ICT assets can be rationalised? |
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Spend per domain |
The proportion of spend in each domain of the EA Classification Models based on the annual estimated cost of operation of each asset or service or proportion of each asset or service classified to each domain.
| Spend per domain represents the level of investment in resources and ICT assets and services that directly support the business or strategic intent of the organisation versus the level of spend to support the business imperatives and other functions conducted by the organisation. Questions to consider include: - Is the level of spend in particular business and functional domains appropriate for the nature of business conducted by the organisation?
- Are there opportunities to rationalise spend in some domains and move some business and ICT services to cheaper delivery and management platforms?
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A bar chart could be used to demonstrate the ‘Domains by total spend’. The X axis would represent the amount of spend and the Y axis would list the domain names from the relevant EA-Classification model to which the elements have been classified.
Where there is coverage across domains that do not directly support the line of business or business imperatives of the organisation, opportunities may exist to rationalise the cost of the elements or the number of elements in those domains.
Duplication
Where duplication exists, opportunities may exist to decrease activity in those domains. Particularly in domains that do not directly support the line of business or business imperatives of the organisation. Practitioners should investigate opportunities to outsource these services or processes or retire any redundant processes, information assets and related applications and technology.
Opportunities may also exist to rationalise the information, applications or technologies in a domain where duplication exists. Particularly if the cost of supporting those information, application and technology assets or services is high.
Gaps
Gaps may represent new opportunities both in terms of investment in new services and supporting processes as well as additional information, applications and technologies capabilities. Particularly in domains where mappings have revealed that objectives and strategies are not currently supported by services or applications.
Practitioners should consider:
- the level of capability or investment already in those domains
- any opportunities that can be carried forward to the planning engagement as potential objectives or strategies.
Diagrams can be useful when analysing classifications. These can include graphs or heat maps that depict the number of assets/services or the cost of assets or services in particular domains.