Layered Viewpoint

The Layered viewpoint pictures several layers and aspects of an Enterprise Architecture in one diagram.

There are two categories of layers, namely dedicated layers and service layers. The layers are the result of the use of the "grouping" relationship for a natural partitioning of the entire set of objects and relationships that belong to a model. The technology, application, process, and actor/role layers belong to the first category. The structural principle behind a fully layered viewpoint is that each dedicated layer exposes, by means of the "realization" relationship, a layer of services, which are further on "serving" the next dedicated layer.

Thus, we can easily separate the internal structure and organization of a dedicated layer from its externally observable behavior expressed as the service layer that the dedicated layer realizes.

The main goal of the layered viewpoint is to provide an overview in one diagram. Furthermore, this viewpoint can be used as support for impact of change analysis and performance analysis or for extending the service portfolio.

## Stakeholders:

Enterprise, process, application, infrastructure, and domain architects

## Concerns:

Consistency, reduction of complexity, impact of change, flexibility

## Purpose:

Designing, deciding, informing

## Scope:

Multiple layer/Multiple aspect