Artifact

Intro

An Artifact (artefact) is an architectural work product such as a diagram, model, or document. In EA, artefacts communicate decisions and provide traceability.

Key points:

• Captures structure, decisions, and rationale
• Enables governance, reuse, and knowledge sharing
• Common use cases: capability maps, process models, reference architectures, inventories, roadmaps
• Pitfall: artefact sprawl without curation or ownership

Examples:

• Capability map linked to processes and systems
• Solution architecture diagram with interfaces
• Technology roadmap with lifecycle stages

In practice:

Curate artefacts in line with Enterprise Architecture standards and naming.

Related terms: Model; Repository; Reference Architecture

FAQs:

Q: How to keep artefacts useful?
A: Assign owners, review cadence, and link to decisions.

Q: Which format is best?
A: Whatever your stakeholders understand fastest; keep it consistent.

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