Overview
BLEAM™ is the EAL method for developing enterprise architecture, using current best practice. This includes managing strategies, digital transformation and governing solution delivery.
BLEAM™ provides a high-level introduction to the key concepts of enterprise architecture and a fast track to developing enterprise architecture, processes, deliverables and organisation changes and most effectively achieving its current and future objectives.
BLEAM™ stands for Benefits Led EA Method. This means that BLEAM™ is not an IT architecture method but has an outside-in business-driven perspective for delivering outcomes of value to the whole enterprise.
Architecture Development Method (ADM)
The ADM is the core of BLEAM™. It describes a systematic step-by-step practical approach to developing an enterprise architecture.
It has it’s own ADM™, but has been customised over many years to reflect the actual real-life application of enterprise architecture by our 80+ clients, and a more business focused view of the business architecture, business modelling, strategy planning and business transformations.
Lifecycle Processes
BLEAM™ describes the lifecycle of enterprise architecture in terms of architecture processes. These processes are often extended to include integration with other Management Processes, guided by CoBitTM.
Guidelines & Techniques
BLEAM™ includes a collection of our guidelines and techniques, including about the practical use of Business Capability Modelling, Capability dependencies, Roadmapping, Transformations, Value Streams, Services, RFPs and Vendor Evaluation, Scenario planning.
Architecture Meta Model
The BLEAM™ meta model and framework, including a structured meta model for architectural deliverables, encouraging the use of re-usable architecture components and connections. This meta model has evolved and is a superior meta model to others.
The basic BLEAM™ meta model includes Business Strategy Planning, IT Strategy Planning, Business Model Canvas, Business Motivation Model, Customer Journeys, Business Capability Models, EA Capability Maturity Models, Technical Assessments, Digital Transformation, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Planning and Security.
Meta Model extensions
BLEAM™ can be extended with a number of additional meta models, such as for Risk management, Strategic Planning, Investment Management, Programme Management, GDPR, Cybersecurity, Innovations, Operating Models, Wardley Maps, Balanced Score Card, ITSM / SIAM / ITIL, Partner Selection and Collaboration, preparation and evaluation of RFPs.
Deliverables
This section discusses appropriate taxonomies and tools to categorise and store the outputs of architecture activity within an enterprise. Enterprise architecture deliverables consist of catalogues, diagram templates that are fully defined in terms of content (attributes, connections etc). Deliverables are available as pre-defined spreadsheets, matrices and word templates, or as models developed in the Avolution Abacus EA tool.
Deliverables are based on our best practice and client preferences.
BLEAM™ includes a glossary of standard EA and Business terms. It contains the definitions of all terms used throughout BLEAM™. Client specific terms are customised for each client.
Reference Architecture Models
BLEAMTM provides a selection of reference architecture models for Services, Applications and Infrastructure. These include a SIAM model. Other industry reference models such as FrameworX , BIAN, CoBIT, BoIToM, IT4IT, EIM, SOA can also be used.
Enterprise Architecture Capability Development (EACD)
BLEAM includes a well-defined project plan which is used to define the iterations, phases and activities required to establish and operate an enterprise architecture capability within an enterprise. The standard project plan is iterative in nature and consists of 6 phases which can be customised as appropriate for each client.
EA Governance, Risk and Compliance
BLEAMTM is concerned with the establishment of a governance, risk and compliance organisation structure. One of the reference models includes our well-defined governance organisation structure and operating model, fully defined roles and responsibilities and governance and compliance processes
Security Architecture
BLEAM™ includes the establishment of a Security Architecture based on the Open Security Architecture (OSA.). www.opensecurityarchitecture.org
Scenarios
BLEAM™ is frequently used in the following scenarios: Modernisation, Business Transformation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Agility, New Business Models, eCommerce, Federated enterprise architecture, SIAM, IT Strategy development.
Intended Audience
BLEAM™ is intended for use by senior management, enterprise architects, business architects, IT architects, data architects, systems architects, application architects, service architects, solutions architects, security architects and anyone responsible for the architecture function within an organisation.
