03/15/2019
Enterprise Architecture Framework Research Paper Assignment
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply your research skills, analysis, and
critical thinking skills to describe one of the enterprise architecture (EA) frameworks. This
will provide you an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of one of the frameworks
commonly used. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes:
• describe enterprise architecture (EA), the appropriate application of EA frameworks,
and an overall ongoing EA program
• analyze and examine how enterprise architecture and enterprise systems influence,
support, and enable an organization's ability to contribute to strategic decision
making and to respond and adapt to the business environment
Assignment
Select one of the enterprise architecture frameworks listed below:
• Zachman Framework
• The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)
• Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF)
• DoD Architecture Framework (DODAF)
• Treasury Enterprise Architecture Framework (TEAF)
Research and write a paper that describes the chosen framework. Your description will
include:
• Beginning paragraph to introduce the selected framework
• Framework’s purpose, scope, principles, and the kinds of structures it uses, as
appropriate to the framework. Ensure that you adequately cover these four
attributes.
• Provide a Graphic or image that shows the structure of the model you have chosen.
This provides a good visual of what you are explaining and provides additional
context.
• Provide analysis of the framework’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Find more than two examples of organizations that have used the framework and
briefly discuss them. (NOTE: More than two examples are required to receive all
possible points; see Grading Rubric below.) Apply critical thinking, especially when
describing the structure and its strengths and weaknesses.
• Concluding paragraph to wrap-up key points.
Your paper will be graded on both the accuracy and completeness of your description.
Please be mindful of how you research and provide on-line sources. Refer to UMUC’s policy
on plagiarism especially as it pertains to unauthorized student resources.
Your paper should be 3-5 pages in length (not counting any cover sheet or reference
pages). The use of at least three external scholarly resources (other than class
materials) is required. (NOTE: More than three external resources are required to receive all
possible points; see Grading Rubric below.) You should use scholarly journals (rather
than Wikipedia and authorless website postings). If you need assistance with determining
what a scholarly journal is, the UMUC library is a very good source of information, accessed
03/15/2019
via the following link: http://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/articles.cfm. Remember to
correctly cite and reference all sources using APA format.
Submit your paper in Word format via your Assignments Folder as an attached document
with your last name included in the filename.
Grading Rubric
Use the rubric below to be sure you have covered all aspects of this assignment.
Criteria
90-100%
Far Above Standards
80-89%
Above Standards
70-79% Meets Standards
60-69%
Below Standards
< 60%
Well Below Standards
Possible Points
Introduction
5 Points
A sophisticated introduction sets
the stage for the
paper.
4 Points
A well-written introduction sets
the stage for the
paper.
3.5 Points
The introduction adequately sets
the stage for the
paper.
3 Points
The introduction does not
adequately set
the stage for the paper.
0-2 Points
No introduction
included.
5
Description of
Framework –
Quality
18-20 Points
Description of
framework is clear and
thorough and demonstrates
sophisticated understanding of
course concepts.
16-17 Points
Description of
framework is clear and
complete and demonstrates
good understanding
of course
concepts.
14-15 Points
Description of
framework includes the main
points, and demonstrates
adequate understanding of
course concepts.
12-13 Points
Description of
framework may be incomplete,
and/or may not demonstrate
adequate understanding
of course
concepts.
0-11 Points
Description of
framework is not included
or little is presented.
20
Description of
Framework –
Coverage
27-30 Points
Sophisticated
description
covers purpose, scope,
principles, types of structures
used, as appropriate to
the selected
framework.
24-26 Points
Clear and
complete
description covers purpose,
scope, principles, types
of structures used, as
appropriate to
the selected framework.
21-23 Points
Description
adequately covers
purpose, scope, principles, and
types of structures, as
appropriate to the selected
framework.
18-20 Points
Description may
not adequately
cover purpose, scope,
principles, and/or types of
structures, as appropriate to
the selected
framework.
0-17 Points
Little or no
coverage of
these areas is provided.
30
Strengths
and
Weaknesses of
Framework
11-12 Points
Strengths and
Weaknesses identified are
clear, compelling, and
9-10 Points
Strengths and
Weaknesses identified are
clear, and are directly related
7-8 Points
Description of
strengths and weaknesses are
related to the framework;
6 Points
Description of
strengths and weaknesses may
not be clear, may not be
0-5 Points
Few or no
strengths or weaknesses
identified and explained.
12
03/15/2019
Criteria
90-100%
Far Above Standards
80-89%
Above Standards
70-79% Meets Standards
60-69%
Below Standards
< 60%
Well Below Standards
Possible Points
directly related to the
framework, demonstrating a
sophisticated
understanding of course concepts,
analysis, critical thinking, and
synthesis.
to the framework,
demonstrating a good
understanding
of course concepts,
analysis, critical thinking, and
synthesis.
demonstrate adequate
understanding of course concepts,
analysis, and
critical thinking.
directly related to the
framework; and/or may not
demonstrate
adequate understanding
of course concepts,
analysis, and critical thinking.
Examples of Use
11-12 Points
More than two
examples of organizations
that have used
the framework are identified
and clearly pertinent points
are included in the discussion,
using
sophisticated writing.
9-10 Points
More than two
examples of organizations
that have used
the framework are identified
and pertinent points are
included in the discussion,
using clear
writing.
7-8 Points
Two examples of
organizations that have used the
framework are
identified and their use of the
framework is adequately
discussed.
6 Points
Two or fewer
examples of organizations
are identified
and/or their use of the
framework may not be
adequately discussed.
0-5 Points
No examples
of use of the framework
are identified
or minimal effort is
demonstrated.
12
External
Research
9-11 Points
More than three
scholarly sources other than the
class resources are incorporated
and used
effectively, contextualized,
appropriately researched and
supported, and synthesized with
original
arguments. Sources used
are credible, relevant, and
timely. Proper
APA style is used for citations and
references.
8 Points
More than three
scholarly sources other
than the class resources are
incorporated
and used effectively,
appropriately researched and
supported, and support original
arguments.
Sources used are credible,
relevant, and timely. Proper
APA style is
used for citations and
references.
7 Points
Three scholarly
sources other than the class resources
are properly incorporated and
used. Uses APA
format for references and
citations.
6 Points
Three or fewer
sources other than the class
resources may be used; may
not be scholarly
sources; may not be properly
incorporated or used to support
arguments; may rely too heavily
on the reporting
of external sources, and/or
are not effective or appropriate;
and/or are not
credible, relevant, or
0-5 Points
No external
research is incorporated
or reference listed is not
cited within
text.
11
03/15/2019
Criteria
90-100%
Far Above Standards
80-89%
Above Standards
70-79% Meets Standards
60-69%
Below Standards
< 60%
Well Below Standards
Possible Points
timely. May not use APA format.
Conclusion
5 Points
Conclusion is
convincing, effective and
relevant. Demonstrates
sophisticated analysis and critical thinking.
4 Points
Conclusion is
effective and relevant.
Demonstrates analysis and
critical thinking.
3.5 Points
Conclusion is
provided and is
relevant.
3 Points
Conclusion is
somewhat effective and/or relevant.
0-2 Points
No conclusion
provided, or minimal effort demonstrated.
5
Format
9-10 Points
Paper reflects
effective organization and
sophisticated writing; follows
instructions
provided; is written in third
person; uses correct
structure,
grammar, and spelling; double-
spaced and presented in a
professional
format using Word.
8 Points
Paper reflects effective organization; follows instructions provided; is written in third
person; has few errors in sentence structure, grammar, and spelling;
double-spaced, and presented in a professional format.
7 Points
Paper has some organization; may have some errors in sentence structure, grammar and spelling. Is double
spaced and written in third person.
6 Points
Paper is not well organized, and/or contains several grammar and/or spelling errors; and/or is
not double-spaced and written in third person.
0-5 Points
Paper is extremely poorly written, has
many grammar and/or
spelling errors, or does not convey the
information.
5
TOTAL
Points
Possible
100
