Gap analysis between current and future architecture in BPA suite?

Question

We are developing a vision of our enterprise architecture for the next three years, using BPA suite. We do this by describing the current architecture (base) and the future architecture (goal).
Is it possible to somehow link the two (base and future) and generate a report about the differences?
Thanks,
Lonneke

Answer 1

Hello Lonneke,
yes there are a lot of point within the BPA suite that can be used to express exactly what you are planning. E.g. you can maintain installation status related attributes for application system types etc.
So most of the EA related information should be stored in object and model attributes.
But the most important point when building up a "as is" and (like in most cases when it comes to EA modeling) many "to be" scenarios is that you set up your repository right. This will protect you from much additional work later on (e.g. for cleaning up bad structures).
In general follow this structure:
a) clearly separate the different points in time
b) set up clear defined libraries for the static objects
c) define the levels of the EA you need for your specific situation (business architecture, application architecture, information architecture and infrastructure architecture). Keep this levels separated!
There are a few reports provided that could be used to evaluate the differences. Take a closer look at the "Analysis" section within the reports folder of the BPA suite. There are some useful evaluations as well. But never the less you would also have to write some specific reports for your use case(es).
Regards
Dirk