Enterprise Architecture Tool Trends: Slow Adoption But Expanding Usage

The December 2008 Global EA Toolbox Online Survey shows slow progress of enterprise architecture (EA) tools adoption. Given the growth of EA as a practice, the slow adoption belies a change in how these tools are used. While the perception that EA tools are mainly for modeling is not completely gone, survey data suggests that it could change quickly now that EA tools can demonstrate dashboards for decision-makers and enable governance that helps facilitate faster decision-making on the most complex issues. The range of users is broadening to take advantage of these dashboards. EA teams should focus on collecting the artifacts that will generate these strategic dashboards (or simulation and analysis) to support their main business and IT objectives.