| The Clinger Cohen Act of 1996 requires that all major Federal Government Information Technology (IT) systems prepare an Enterprise Architecture prior to IT acquisitions. Enterprise Architecture, like house blueprints, represents the system build, capabilities, processes, and data across the enterprise of IT systems. Enterprise Architecture is used to ensure that as business requirements change, new requirements are addressed within major IT systems without redundancies and inefficiencies. Although Enterprise Architecture is perceived by some to be effective and efficient, other constituencies argue that IT system redundancies and inefficiencies persist. This study sought to answer the research question: What is the perception of Enterprise Architecture among Human Resource stakeholders in the Department of Defense? To find the answer, interviews were conducted with Senior Executive Service personnel, Chief Information Officers, Architects, and Subject Matter Experts known within the Department of Defense as Functionals and Technicals from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the Department of Defense Human Resources Staff. Using these diverse perceptions, this study identified specific strengths and weaknesses of Enterprise Architecture within the Department of Defense. The insights of these professionals may assist the Department of Defense in utilizing Enterprise Architecture to attain the finest IT systems at a budget that is acceptable to both the warfighter and the taxpayer. |
