Patterns for Enterprise Architecture - Structure, Publication, and Governance

The following thesis proposes a way to structure and present patterns for enterprise architecture. It also analyses how such patterns can be made available to enterprise architects and suggests mechanisms to further evaluate and develop such patterns. Various interviews with experts have been conducted, to collect issues and challenges in enterprise architecture, as patterns will have to solve such issues. Also, the knowledge base has been analysed and various existing pattern structures and governance mechanisms compared to suggest suitable publication forms and how collaboration among experts could be organised. This thesis is aimed at enterprise architects, enterprise architecture consultants, and academics in the field of enterprise architecture. The research methodology chosen to fulfil the objectives of the thesis was design science research. The thesis follows a pragmatic philosophy combined with an inductive approach.