This glossary is an ever-evolving list of terms and EA-related definitions for those involved in enterprise architecture, IT planning, business strategy and project/program/portfolio management.

These definitions represent the usage of these terms within the context of Enterprise Architecture and/or other related disciplines. These may or may not reflect the dictionary meaning of the word(s) involved in a specific term. The discipline of EA is very abstract, and as such, many of the related terms are hard to define in traditional ways. In some cases, we may refer to the dictionary terms, examples or other available references for a specific term. We will being by defining Enterprise Architecture.

The rest of the glossary:

Domain
A logically related set of things about which other architectural constructs (standards, guidelines, models, etc.) are created
Examples: network domain, platform domain, application development domain

EA Framework
A model or outline that provides the logical structure within which EA deliverables will be created and related to each other
Examples:  Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture, TOGAF, DODAF, MODAF, E2AF

Guideline
A specific rule or principle to be followed/complied with in making decisions relative to the guideline
Examples: vendor viability criteria used in software or hardware selection; accounting rules to be followed internally; requiring a completed business case for project requests

Model
A graphical, mathematical or statistical representation of an EA entity used for analysis, communication and guidance
Examples:  business process model, information model, network diagram, business case financial model

Pattern
The outline of a design to be used as the basis for further design in the related area, the elements of which are to be replicated in the actual instance
Examples: infrastructure pattern; application pattern; server footprint

Policy
A set of rules, principles or guidelines intended to drive consistent decision making across all areas of EA
Examples:  Information management policy, security policy; application software selection procedures; project management methodology

Service
A type of task performed by a provider upon object(s) for a client (service requestor) with a defined interaction and expected performance (i.e. service level)
Examples: directory service; authentication; schedule delivery; credit card authorization; check item inventory level

Standard
An item (naming convention, technology, product, and configuration) designated as the approved choice for a specific usage for anyone within the enterprise considering such an item for the specified use case.
Examples:  data naming standards; Oracle as the DB for server-based applications; HP Pavilion laptops for all remote knowledge workers with a specific configuration of hardware, system and application software