ArchiMate is an integrated architecture approach that helps the enterprise architect to describe and visualise the relationships between the various company domains. Through the insight into the relationships between the various architectures, interested parties can monitor, plan and communicate the results of decisions and changes over the whole breadth of their organisation.

Enterprise Architecture
Enterprise architecture is a consistent whole of principles, methods and models that are used in the design and realisation of organisational structure, business processes, information systems, and infrastructure. However, these domains are not approached in an integrated way, which makes it difficult to judge the effects of proposed changes. Every domain speaks its own language, draws its own models, and uses its own techniques and tools. Communication and decision making across domains is seriously impaired.

Integration and Communication
ArchiMate realises the integration between these domains. With an architectural language and visualisation techniques that show the connection and relationships between the various domains, ArchiMate provides the enterprise architect with instruments for supporting and improving the architectural process. These instruments will help the architect in communicating with all stakeholders involved, ranging from managers to software developers. ArchiMate has validated its results in practical situations at the consortium partners.

Usage and Support
ArchiMate is now actively used by over 50 different organizations and is supported by several commercial tools and consultancy organizations.

More information about ArchiMate?
For much more on ArchiMate, see the collection of project results. The ArchiMate standard has been brought under the aegis of the ArchiMate Forum of The Open Group, which has a very active community of users. More information on the language, its use, and its support can be found on www.archimate.org.