Article #4: Synchronizing Business and IT – ArchiMate in the Application Layer
Tags: architecture, archimate, enterprisearchitecture, digitaltransformation
Published: 2024-02-27 13:00:00

 Our journey with [ArchiMate](https://www.opengroup.org/archimate-forum) now takes us to a critical juncture - the Application layer and its interplay with the Business layer. In the realm of enterprise architecture, aligning these two layers is paramount for ensuring that IT systems effectively support business processes and vice versa.

In the scenario of XYZ Company, the initiative to integrate partner logins presents an opportunity to explore how changes in the Business layer necessitate adaptations in the Application layer.

At the outset, XYZ's user login process involves two main applications: the local Identity Provider and the Identity and Access Management system. These applications work in tandem to facilitate the User Authentication and User Provisioning processes.

As XYZ moves to incorporate logins from PartnerA and PartnerB, the Application Architecture must evolve. This evolution involves establishing new collaborations to handle identities from these partners, reflecting changes made in the Business layer.

This article features two ArchiMate views: 

**Baseline of the Application Architecture**: This view captures the current state of applications involved in the user login process, offering a snapshot of the existing infrastructure.

<p>
<figure>
<img alt="Baseline of the Application Architecture" src="https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/r7x59uxdymid3r27kkvm.png" />
<figcaption>Baseline of the Application Architecture</figcaption>
</figure>
</p>

**Target of the Application Architecture**: This view illustrates the new collaborations and their integration into the existing architecture, highlighting the evolution toward the desired future state.

<p>
<figure>
<img alt="Target of the Application Architecture" src="https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/i63v3qa0g9unuzvnvmxg.png" />
<figcaption>Target of the Application Architecture</figcaption>
</figure>
</p>

These visual representations provide a clear understanding of the changes at the application level and their alignment with business process transformations.

With these views, we not only demonstrate the addition of new collaborations but also affirm that the User Provisioning process remains unaffected by these changes. This alignment ensures that XYZ’s IT systems remain agile and responsive to the evolving business needs.

How have you managed the alignment of business and application architectures in your projects? What challenges have you faced in ensuring that IT systems adapt to evolving business processes? Share your stories and insights on maintaining this crucial balance.

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- [Article #1: ArchiMate – Bridging the Gap in Complex Enterprise Initiatives](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-1-archimate-bridging-the-gap-in-complex-enterprise-initiatives-b6)
- [Article #2: Navigating Motivations in Architecture – The ArchiMate Way](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-2-navigating-motivations-in-architecture-the-archimate-way-3p4f)
- [Article #3: Mapping the Business Layer – ArchiMate’s Role in Business Process Modeling](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-3-mapping-the-business-layer-archimates-role-in-business-process-modeling-ob3)
- [Article #4: Synchronizing Business and IT – ArchiMate in the Application Layer](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-4-synchronizing-business-and-it-archimate-in-the-application-layer-50lj)
- [Article #5: Integrating Technology and Applications – A Deep Dive into ArchiMate's Technology Layer](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-5-integrating-technology-and-applications-a-deep-dive-into-archimates-technology-layer-2o45)
- [Article #6: Orchestrating Change – ArchiMate in Implementation and Migration Planning](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-6-orchestrating-change-archimate-in-implementation-and-migration-planning-4p9a)
- [Article #7: Reflecting on the ArchiMate Journey – From Concept to Reality](https://dev.to/tmorin/article-7-reflecting-on-the-archimate-journey-from-concept-to-reality-47ao)