Update: This material is copyright Theo Elzinga et al (co-author of the book "The CORA model"). Asymptotix recommends this model, any interested user should have a thorough look at http://www.coramodel.com/ !

A stable innovation platform is an essential part of the IT landscape, as shown in the Ross and the Capgemini Crown model. Both models provide the foundation for the "Common Reference Architecture" (CORA). Besides the CORA model, for an implementation of both models to be effective they need to be supported by an approach for delivering IT solutions that fits within the architecture maturity and governance perspectives.

Architecture defines an integrated and highly structured instrument to align Business & IT. Architecture can be performed on an enterprise level (Enterprise Architecture) and a individual project or program level (Solution Architecture). In practice we see that a gap exists between the two. Often Solution/Software Architects perform their work with no relationship to an already existing Enterprise Architecture. The reason is that Enterprise Architecture generally is too abstract to be used on a Solution Architecture level.

The CORA model describes elements with their interactions and principles at an Enterprise Architecture level in such a way that the different architecture styles, such as N-tier, Service Oriented and Resource Oriented, can be fitted in. With the help of the CORA model a reference Software Architecture or detailed technology architecture can be created from a total IT landscape point of view. This forms the basis from which Solution Architects of individual projects within the portfolio can be derived and detailed.

Using CORA is especially important when software from more than one vendor is being used. The reason is that many vendors deliver their own reference architecture which is aimed at their own product stack. This leaves little room for including other vendor products or even their own 'legacy' stack and applies even more when dealing with an environment containing a mixture of Package Based and Custom Software Solutions. The CORA is a vendor agnostic model. Mapping a vendor architecture to the CORA helps to better understand the vendor architecture itself. Five vendor architectures have been mapped against the CORA so far.

For more information: www.coramodel.com/