Strategies to Improve Adoption of the Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework

Abstract

The U.S. federal government spends millions of taxpayer dollars to implement the federal enterprise architecture framework (FEAF). This qualitative multiple case study extracted successful FEAF implementation strategies used by agencies in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The population for this study included 10 information technology (IT) planners in 3 federal agencies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and triangulated in comparison to 33 public documents. General system theory was used as a conceptual framework for the study, and data analysis included reviews of the academic literature, thematic analysis, and member checking to identify themes and codes related to successful aspects of the strategies collected. Key themes emerging from data analysis included critical leadership support for implementation, organizational culture, practices for maintaining an accurate organizational history, and means to maintain this knowledge. Based on the findings, the implications of this study for positive social change include efficient, effective, and reliable government services for U.S. citizens and a significant reduction in IT spending in federal agencies. In turn, the results may result in effective federal services and effective use of taxpayer money