NIH Enterprise IT Architecture—Update

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is the design for how information technology (IT) supports the business of all of NIH. The purpose is to guide the implementation of applications and infrastructure, and to ensure they support the NIH mission.

In the July 2004 issue of Interface, the Office of the Chief Information Technology Architect (OCITA) presented an introductory overview of Enterprise Architecture and why it's important to NIH. As we continue to move forward, we'd like to provide you with an understanding of the EA framework and where we are headed.

The NIH Enterprise IT Architecture applies to all aspects of information technology (IT) at NIH, including systems, infrastructure, products, and designs, including those developed internally and by outside contractors. For example, if you are installing new equipment, developing applications, or looking for new solutions—enterprise architecture pertains to you! To learn how it applies to your project, visit http://enterprisearchitecture.nih.gov.

Components of Enterprise Architecture

The NIH enterprise architecture (EA) provides the over-arching plan, similar to a "city plan" that specifies zoning and building codes, prescribes land use and road patterns to support a city's business functions (e.g., buildings and infrastructure). Enterprise architecture ensures an effectively planned IT infrastructure to support the business requirements of NIH and all of its employees, contractors, partners, and volunteers.

NIH Enterprise IT Architecture comprises three components: business architecture (BA), information architecture (IA), and technology architecture (TA).

• Business Architecture (BA)
  Similar to zoning and infra-structure to support the needs of a city, BA represents NIH's most important work activities and assets. It shows what processes NIH performs and provides a framework that allows IT to map its activities to business processes.

  Specifically, the Business Architecture answers the following questions concerning NIH's organizations and business processes:

      What are the activities or processes?
      Who does the activities and
          who are the stakeholders?
      Which information or data is used?
      Where are the activities done today?



• Information Architecture (BA)
  IA creates the logical design specifications and is analogous to the process of drawing a building blueprint. It may include business models, organization models, object models, process models or data models.


• Technology Architecture (TA)
  TA, comprised of patterns and bricks, is analogous to providing specifications so that the components can work within the infrastructure—that is, the power and plumbing from a building can connect to public utilities.

Current Enterprise Architecture Content

Over the past several years, NIH has focused on technology architecture, including collaboration, networks, security, application integration and enterprise systems management. Information is described in patterns and bricks. You can view this part of the architecture on-line.

• Patterns are logical models of technology; they are design ideas that can be reused and leveraged across the enterprise. Examples of patterns are: document management service, application program interface (API), high-level enterprise systems monitoring (ESM), and workflow service.


• Bricks are physical building blocks that specify the technology or technologies to be used in the architecture. These standards include: enterprise reporting tools, communication middleware, and configuration management software.

All guidelines and standards are developed in a collaborative approach, and they require review and input from the entire NIH community. Subsequently, they are approved by the Architecture Review Board and published by the Office of the Chief Information Technology Architect (OCITA).

Future Directions for NIH Enterprise IT Architecture

OCITA is currently working in the areas of Business Architecture, application integration technologies (part of Technology Architecture), and Information Architecture. The current emphasis is on information regarding NIH grants and people.

If you have questions, contact OCITA at EnterpriseArchitecture@mail.nih.gov.