Quick Learning ArchiMate Part 4 – Layers and Architecture Framework

Layers and Architecture

ArchiMate Language defines three primary layers based on the core concepts introduced in the previous article.

  1. Business Layer delivers products and services to external customers, which are implemented by business processes carried out by business actors within the organization.
  2. Application Layer supports the business layer services, which are implemented by (software) applications.
  3. Technology Layer provides infrastructure services required to run applications (e.g., processing, storage, and communication services), implemented through computer and communication hardware and system software.

The general structure of models within each layer is similar. The same types of concepts and relationships are used, although their exact nature and granularity differ.
The key relationship between layers is the “used by” relationship: higher layers use services provided by lower layers.
Another key relationship is the “implementation” relationship: elements in lower layers may implement comparable elements in higher layers:

  • A “data object” (in the Application Layer) can implement a “business object” (in the Business Layer).
  • An “artifact” (in the Technology Layer) can implement a “data object” or “application component” (in the Application Layer).

The aspects and layers identified earlier can be organized into a nine-cell framework:
What is Layers and Aspects in ArchiMate? - ArchiMate Resources for FREE
It is important to recognize that the classification based on aspects and layers is merely a high-level categorization. It is impossible to define strict boundaries between aspects and layers, as concepts connecting different aspects and layers play a central role in coherent architectural descriptions.
Learn more about the integration mapping in the latest version of TOGAF and ArchiMate 3.1:
ArchiMate and TOGAF Layers - ArchiMate Guide