What is the role of the Architecture Vision phase in Enterprise Architecture?

The Architecture Vision phase is crucial in the overall enterprise architecture development process, serving as the foundation for all subsequent phases. During this phase, an overall vision for the architecture is established, which aligns with the organization's strategic goals and addresses key stakeholder concerns.

This phase involves identifying the scope, constraints, and objectives of the architecture work. It also includes creating a high-level view of the desired future state of the enterprise, as well as defining principles and guidelines that will steer the development effort. By providing these foundational elements, the Architecture Vision phase ensures that the subsequent architecture development aligns with the broader goals of the organization and is rooted in a clear understanding of what is needed.

In contrast, finalizing implementation details, evaluating past architectures, or assessing compliance with regulations are not primary focuses during this phase. They may be relevant in other stages of the architecture development process but are not the main objectives at this early point when establishing a vision is paramount.