I’ve been tangled up on many occasions in methodology terminology discussions this week with various clients, and decided that it might be appropriate to share some thoughts on clarifications on the subject. How boring you say? It’s time for an article to shed light on the differences between a process, approach, methodology and a framework.
To define methodology, we are talking about a detailed and structured approach, containing both generic and tool
related step-by-step guidelines, to develop, upgrade, update improve or replace an architecture, model or system. Methodologies are often called blueprints. Essentially a methodology is the “cookbook” or handbook used to achieve
a goal or task for some component of information technology.
related step-by-step guidelines, to develop, upgrade, update improve or replace an architecture, model or system. Methodologies are often called blueprints. Essentially a methodology is the “cookbook” or handbook used to achieve
a goal or task for some component of information technology.
For example, the methodology container for the Project Management Institute (PMI) is called the PMBOK, or Project
Management Book of Knowledge. Within it, are step by step guidelines to managing a project.  One should note that a
methodology, such as the PMBOK, or the Rational Unified Process identifies ALL the things you might want to do for
your project, and not necessarily dictate that every one of them is completed. Think of it as an a-la-carte menu.
Management Book of Knowledge. Within it, are step by step guidelines to managing a project.  One should note that a
methodology, such as the PMBOK, or the Rational Unified Process identifies ALL the things you might want to do for
your project, and not necessarily dictate that every one of them is completed. Think of it as an a-la-carte menu.
Now why should you care about all of this? Well, you’ve got architectures you want to document, and you need a
consistent manner and method in which to complete these documents and models. I am not suggesting you make one up, but rather to evaluate your environment and select and adopt the one most appropriate for you within your culture.
consistent manner and method in which to complete these documents and models. I am not suggesting you make one up, but rather to evaluate your environment and select and adopt the one most appropriate for you within your culture.
In a previous life, I spent all kinds of consulting time taking the Rational Unified Processes into businesses and help clients tailor the RUP into their own methodology or Systems Development Life Cycle. Essentially I chose the items from the menu that most suited the roles and resources they had working in their IT shops, and provided a step by step method that would work for them.
Something else to consider is that an architecture, for a system or enteprise, consists of many architectures within a framework. One should note that many methodologies may be used to complete or document the architectures. For
example, one might use the ITIL Methodology to complete many components within the Technology Architecuture, The Rational Unified Process to complete components within the Application Architecture, and the IDEF Methodology to
complete Data Models within the Information Architecture.
example, one might use the ITIL Methodology to complete many components within the Technology Architecuture, The Rational Unified Process to complete components within the Application Architecture, and the IDEF Methodology to
complete Data Models within the Information Architecture.
Within your organization, someone will need to establish a framework on which to based your architectures, and any
architecture initiative must be managed as a process and with a strategy that utilizes both a framework and a method-
ology to collectively organize the objectives of the process steps and how to complete them. The framework will identify and organize all areas or domains of concern. A methodology will help you develop a consistent approach in addressing
all the issues and components related to those areas identified by the framework. At a minimum, you must adapt a
project management methodology.
architecture initiative must be managed as a process and with a strategy that utilizes both a framework and a method-
ology to collectively organize the objectives of the process steps and how to complete them. The framework will identify and organize all areas or domains of concern. A methodology will help you develop a consistent approach in addressing
all the issues and components related to those areas identified by the framework. At a minimum, you must adapt a
project management methodology.
I would also highly suggest adopting a development methodology, and urge you to review the most popular. Doing what
is considered to be best practice or industry standard will allow you to have the most choices for tools, training and
documentation. Keep in mind that the UML is not a methodology, but a notation, but it does provide several
types of diagrams that, when used within a gien methodology, increase the level of understanding of an application or
system under design. The standard diagrams can be part of our design and development methodology.
is considered to be best practice or industry standard will allow you to have the most choices for tools, training and
documentation. Keep in mind that the UML is not a methodology, but a notation, but it does provide several
types of diagrams that, when used within a gien methodology, increase the level of understanding of an application or
system under design. The standard diagrams can be part of our design and development methodology.
Another way to consider methodology, is an approach or guidebook for each cell in an Enterprise Architecture if
you think about it with the popular Zachman Framework in mind.
you think about it with the popular Zachman Framework in mind.
As I always finish with a tip, I’ll leave you with this: In the case of Methodologies, one size does not fit all, but
there is a lot to be said for the industry standards or best practices in this case. If you can’t find one that
exactly meets your needs, take the closest one and tailor it to suit your environment, or call in an expert to help
you do this.
there is a lot to be said for the industry standards or best practices in this case. If you can’t find one that
exactly meets your needs, take the closest one and tailor it to suit your environment, or call in an expert to help
you do this.