The FEAC CEA Black Belt is a competency-based program in which students will learn the foundations of Enterprise Architecture and the value and utility of different frameworks, modeling notations, and techniques across 5 courses offered in a variety of ways to complete it. 

The focus of the part of the program is on the mechanics of developing an integrated Enterprise Architecture. The final part of the program takes your knowledge gained and focuses on how to use EA to solve issues faced by the enterprise. 

Additional discussions focus on how to present EA artifacts, manage your program, develop EA services, etc. Students completing the entire program achieve designation as a Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA, Black Belt). Black Belt students will work with both DoDAF and FEA Frameworks.

The Black Belt program is spread over five courses. Listed below are course descriptions and learning outcomes for each of these courses:

Course Description:

• This course sets the stage for the other courses in the certification program by introducing the history, derivations, basic concepts, theories, methods, parts and documentation frameworks upon which enterprise architecture (EA) is based. EA is viewed as a program management discipline, with analysis and documentation processes used in a lifecycle. Approaches discussed span the private, public, defense, and international sectors, highlighting similarities and pointing out differences. Major EA concepts are introduced including EA scoping and purpose, executive involvement, governance, communications, value, and support for decision-making.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe "Enterprise" in Enterprise Architecture terms: Strategic, Business, Information, Data, Systems (Services) and IT architectures
• Describe Drivers: Reorganization, Modernization, Integration, Shared Services, etc.
• Determine Enterprise Architecture principles
• Describe the process and approach, the intended use, the lifecycle and the scope of the EA
• Understand techniques for "EA Thinking" and the Enterprise Architecture process
• Understand and be able to create Principles for EA
• Understand EA Building Blocks
• Explain EA Return on Investment and EA Attribution of Benefits for Program Measurement.
• Synergize Program Management to support Enterprise Architecture’s development, integration and implementation.
• Describe how EA bridges the gap between Business and IT.
• Identify and measure viable Enterprise Architecture projects.
• Discuss how Enterprise Architecture Planning is still a viable process and establish principles for guiding Enterprise Architecture Projects/Programs.
• Describe EA Governance throughout the EA Life Cycle

Course Description:

• This course provides an overview of each of the models and artifacts for two dominant frameworks in the United States Government; DODAF and FEAF. Participants will learn enterprise architecture frameworks help to support a structured approach for the investigation and analysis of stakeholder concerns as a part of viewpoints and views. Concept exploration around the selection of model kinds and types includes identification of appropriate model notation(s). Students will learn how to create a set of core (e.g., required) enterprise architecture models/artifacts to help frame and address stakeholder concerns.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the FEAC concept of core architecture models/artifacts and their relationship to one another.
• Demonstrate how to select supporting architecture models/artifacts to support the implementation
• Identify the elements of an ontology and meta-models and how they support rigorous modeling
• Describe the DoDAF Viewpoints and associated Views
• Describe the FEAF Sub architecture domains and associated artifacts.
• Select and develop views that support Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) design.
• Demonstrate how to implement cybersecurity and risk management into architectural design

Course Description:

• Introduces the concepts and theories associated with organizational strategic planning as the basis for enterprise architecture, provides an examination of the Federal Enterprise Architecture Program Management Office reference models, how to define business architecture utilizing business strategy, goals and objectives, the technological environment and external variables including location, organizational culture, and strategic business planning. Provides an understanding of how to plan and manage an EA project within an enterprise, including the development of a statement of work, scheduling, requirements analysis, risk management, the role of security and information assurance, and the formulation of architectural principles.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the parts of the six-step DODAF architecture process
• Identify the elements of the FEAF Collaborative Planning Methodology (CPM) Demonstrate the use of architectures as a part of the deliberate planning process
• Demonstrate how to select products and tailoring them for flexibility and fit for purpose
• Identify the relationship of framework architecture products to business process improvement and system development methodologies
• Describe Architecture governance and maintenance
• Describe how to planning and schedule for architecture development Describe Integration of Security in DODAF and FEAF
• Describe and evaluate EA Tools
• Identify the elements of and the use of program management and its impact on EA project implementation
• Develop an Architecture Statement of Work to include identification of stakeholders, their questions and the selection of architecture views to be developed.

Course Description:

• This course covers the development and integration of enterprise architecture related models and artifacts utilizing products from the FEAF and DOD Architecture Frameworks. This course covers the development of models using a variety of modeling techniques and notations providing broad exposure industry practices in developing architecture artifacts.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the difference between models, diagrams, and pictures to include the importance of semantics and syntax as a part of formal modeling
• Introduce the concept of modeling languages and their use in providing logical rigor along with consistency in interpretation
• How to create relevant enterprise architecture core and supporting models
• Describe EA methods, products, and tools and the relevance of visual models in enterprise architecture
• Identify and develop data models and relationships vs. entities.
• Identify and develop activity models using different modeling languages
• Describe and develop system and service architecture models using different modeling languages.
• Identify the relationship between using different model languages as a part of conveying meaning to varying stakeholder groups.

Course Description:

• This course consists of demonstrating the ability to create, analyze and brief an integrated architecture description (IAD). Participants will also complete analysis of their IAD and brief the results to faculty as a part of their defense. Students will develop a work in progress (WIP) briefing in which they will present the status of their IAD. Students will be shown techniques for presenting enterprise architecture and how to develop specific messages for their target audience. Students will also receive knowledge how to conduct basic analysis techniques using enterprise architecture and apply it to their IAD as a part of addressing stakeholder questions. A written report will be developed by the students as a part of the providing background and findings from their analysis for non-enterprise architect audiences.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Construct and demonstrate knowledge of a technical enterprise architecture work-in-progress (wip) briefing. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective presentation of enterprise architecture models/artifacts to non-architect audiences.
• Demonstrate knowledge of enterprise architecture through the successful completion of the certification exam.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct basic visual analysis using architecture models/artifacts.

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