A Model of the Factors Influencing Enterprise Architecture Evolution in Organisations

This study develops a research model by identifying potential factors that influence Enterprise Architecture (EA) evolution. It specifically explores what are the factors that might affects Service-oriented Architecture (SOA) integration with EA. The study focuses on identifying EA and SOA related factors that might facilitate or obstruct EA evolution. The initial results of a literature review were enriched and extended using explorative interviews. The findings of this study are threefold. First, there are potential multiple factors which could influence EA evolution. Second, a mature EA, flexible and well-defined EA framework, and comprehensive objectives of EA enable EA evolution. Third, the characteristics of the implemented SOA (six factors) play a major role in SOA's relationship to EA, and thus EA evolution.