Formalization of Multi-level Zachman Frameworks

Abstract

This paper presents a formal specification that structures a framework in Zachman's Enterprise Architecture Model as a tree of frames. Each frame is the familiar role × interrogative grid. Each cell of the grid contains, recursively, addition frames down to leaves. The formalism also provides mechanisms for connecting framework components down the recursive levels of detail and down the grid categories of roles. While the tree of frames expresses the structure of a framework model, these connections express the framework's meaning. On top of the basic formalism, additional mechanisms facilitate customizing of framework meta-models, viewing frameworks from different perspectives, and imposing constraints on the framework model. The paper also discusses implications of the formalism on the ways in which Zachman framework models are discovered.