Organization/Actor Catalog: Artifact of Business Architecture (Phase B)

The Organization/Actor catalog is a critical component of the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM). It is used to capture a definitive listing of all participants that interact with IT, including users and owners of IT systems. This catalog plays a crucial role in developing requirements that test for completeness and ensuring that all necessary actors and organizations are identified and their requirements are taken into account during the development of an enterprise architecture. In this way, the Organization/Actor catalog helps to identify the key actors and organizations involved in an IT system and their respective roles and responsibilities.

The Purpose of the Organization/Actor Catalog

The purpose of the Organization/Actor catalog is to provide a comprehensive list of all the individuals, departments, and external organizations that interact with the IT systems of an enterprise. By listing all the relevant stakeholders, the catalog helps architects and stakeholders to ensure that all the necessary actors and organizations are identified and their requirements are taken into account during the development of an enterprise architecture.

The Organization/Actor catalog is also used as a reference when developing requirements to test for completeness. By referring to the catalog, architects can ensure that all the necessary actors and organizations are considered when defining requirements for an IT system. For example, requirements for an application that services customers can be tested for completeness by verifying exactly which customer types need to be supported and whether there are any particular requirements or restrictions for user types.

The catalog helps to identify the key actors and organizations that are involved in the IT system and their respective roles and responsibilities. This information is essential for the development of an effective and efficient IT system that meets the needs of all stakeholders. By having a comprehensive list of actors and organizations, architects can design an IT system that supports the business processes and goals of the enterprise while also meeting the needs of its users.

Example: Acme Retail

In this example, the Organization/Actor catalog lists various actors and organization units that interact with the IT systems of Acme Retail. The Organization Units include Sales Department, IT Department, Finance Department, and Operations. The Actor entities include Sales Representatives, Sales Managers, Customer Service, Marketing, IT Support Staff, IT Managers, Developers, Testers, Database Administrators, Network Administrators, Security Officers, Accountants, Payroll, Procurement, Warehouse Staff, Store Managers, Store Employees, and Delivery Drivers.

Here is an example of an Organization/Actor catalog for a fictitious company called “Acme Retail”:

The Location entity lists the physical locations of these actors and organization units, such as Main Office, Warehouse, Retail Stores, and Delivery Vehicles. The catalog provides a complete listing of all participants that interact with IT, including users and owners of IT systems, helping architects develop requirements that test for completeness.

Example: Healthcare IT System

In this example, the Organization/Actor catalog lists various actors and organization units that interact with the IT systems of a healthcare organization. The Organization Units include Medical Services, IT Department, Administrative, and Patients. The Actor entities include Physicians, Nurses, Medical Assistants, Medical Receptionists, Lab Technicians, Radiologists, Medical Coders, Medical Billers, IT Support Staff, IT Managers, Developers, Testers, Database Administrators, Network Administrators, Security Officers, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing and Communications, Legal, Procurement, Facilities Management, Inpatients, and Outpatients.

Here’s another example of an Organization/Actor catalog for a healthcare organization:

The Location entity lists the physical locations of these actors and organization units, such as Hospital, Clinic, Laboratory, Imaging Center, Billing Office, and Corporate Office. This catalog provides a comprehensive listing of all the individuals, departments, and external organizations that interact with the IT systems of the healthcare organization, helping architects develop requirements that test for completeness. By referring to the catalog, architects can ensure that all the necessary actors and organizations are considered when defining requirements for an IT system, which supports the healthcare organization’s business processes and goals while also meeting the needs of its users.

Summary

The Organization/Actor catalog is used to create a comprehensive listing of all the individuals, departments, and external organizations that interact with an IT system of an enterprise. It is used as a reference when developing requirements to test for completeness and ensures that all the necessary actors and organizations are identified during the development of an enterprise architecture. By having a comprehensive list of actors and organizations, architects can design an IT system that supports the business processes and goals of the enterprise while also meeting the needs of its users. Overall, the Organization/Actor catalog plays a vital role in the development of an effective and efficient IT system that meets the needs of all stakeholders.