Introduction
Enterprise architecture (EA) fosters transparency and management coherence across complex organizations. Like strategic planning, governance, and Integrated Performance Management (IPM), EA is a foundational management tool that enables organizations to align business objectives with technology execution. It provides a structured lens for understanding the enterprise ecosystem, navigating complexity, and making informed decisions.
A vital component of this effort is documentation. Well-maintained documentation ensures clarity, consistency, and continuity across teams and projects. It captures decisions, processes, and structures in a reliable format, supports effective communication, and preserves institutional knowledge. More than architectural diagrams alone, this includes rationale for decisions, supporting data, and dependencies—elements best captured in the often-overlooked Architecture Description Document (ADD). As a comprehensive reference, the ADD plays a pivotal role in onboarding, governance, and change management by offering a trustworthy resource to guide actions and maintain alignment with organizational goals.