Webworld’s Expertise Simplifies Their Use

Webworld’s enterprise architecture experts have years of experience working with the federal reference models released by the Office of Management and Budget. They know how to map an agency's IT investments to the reference models to help an agency complete the annual, OMB-required Exhibit 53 and Exhibit 300 reports.

More importantly, they know how to use the models in a practical fashion in an Enterprise or Segment Architecture to produce real improvement in an agency’s ability to perform its mission.

Evolution of the Reference Models

The Federal Enterprise Architecture Reference Models were developed by the Office of Management and Budget to define the enterprise architecture of the United States government with the goal of increasing the productivity obtained from the federal government’s annual multi-billion dollar investment in information technology.  

In August of 2002, OMB published Version 1.0 of the Business Reference Model, the first in a series of five reference models describing the government’s enterprise architecture. According to Mark Forman, then OMB's Associate Director for Information Technology and Electronic Government, "The Model provides an integrated view of the Federal Government’s business, detailing activities that agencies perform to achieve each mission and function. With this foundation, government executives can look strategically at Federal business operations and understand the gaps, overlaps, and opportunities. The Business Reference Model provides OMB and the Agencies with an invaluable new tool for improving the business of government – it is a quantum leap forward for the Federal Government."

Since that initial release, OMB has published all five of the reference models, and they have gone through a number of revisions. The figure below is based on the latest version – version 2.3 – published in October of 2007.  

The question is, “How does one best use these models to increase the productivity of an agency, division or unit?”

The Federal Reference Models based on Consolidated Reference Model Document, Version 2.3, October 2007 (Source: FY10 FEA Reference Model Mapping Quick Guide, August 2008)

The Key to Using the Models

The problem with the reference models is that they are complex and can be somewhat confusing and difficult to understand.

The key to using the models is identifying the two most important factors in improving an agency’s business processes:

The Business

It all starts with the business goals and actions, whether we are talking about a unit or an entire agency. What does the organization do? Or more precisely, what are the steps the organization must take to create the products to satisfy its internal and external customers?

The Data

This is the information that is collected, manipulated, changed, stored and transmitted as part of an organization’s business processes. Snags or slows in the flow of the data slow down the business processes.

Webworld’s EA team puts its emphasis on the Business and Data Reference Models. These are the key models in opening the door to increased productivity.

Free Consultation

If this approach makes sense to you, and there is a business process within your organization or division that you would like to improve, give us a call to arrange a free consultation with one of our EA experts. We may be able to help. You can email us at info@webworldtech.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-883-1921. A friendly and knowledgeable person will take your call.