How to Utilize the Value Stream in ArchiMate?

Enterprise Architecture highlights every single element that comprises a process in an organisation. These elements and processes are placed in such a manner that they create a flow. Since pictorial representations make things a lot easier, tools empowering professionals to do the same have been created as well. ArchiMate is one such tool that allows you to define and create Enterprise Architectures.  

ArchiMate Value Stream happens to be a dynamic pathway that helps define the flow of activities, the connection of elements with each other, etc. This blog will help you navigate through the intricacies associated with ArchiMate Value Stream. 

Table of Contents 

1) What is a Value Stream? 

2) The role of Value Streams in Enterprise Architecture 

3) Example of a Value Stream at work in ArchiMate 

4) Conclusion 

What is a Value Stream?  

An ArchiMate Value Stream is, simply put, a concept that helps represent a sequence of activities. The sequence in question here comprises multiple elements and their relationships with different elements. By utilizing ArchiMate Diagrams, these value streams depict multiple elements and their relationships, such as dependencies and associations. . They also help in improving the overall performance of departments in an organisation. Here’s what constitutes the key aspects of Value Streams in ArchiMate 3:  

1) Activities: Activities here refer to a set of tasks performed in a specific sequence.   

2) Flow of value: Flow of value refers to the process that represents the flow of value from an initial stage to the final one, leading to an outcome. An example could be a flow from a Product Design stage to Product Delivery.  

3) Inputs and outputs: As the name suggests, inputs here refer to the resources required to commence a process or an activity. Outputs refer to the final stage or the outcome of a sequence using the resources from the input stage.  

4) Mapping process: Since Value Streams are depicted using diagrams, they also represent relationships between activities. This depiction of relationships between different activities is mapped in such a manner that it represents the value generated through the activities.  

5) Cross-layer consideration: A Value Stream can span across multiple layers in an Enterprise Architecture. For example, it can ingest a stage from the business level and then optimise it using a tool from the technology layer. This cross-layered approach increases efficiency and mitigates the over-usage of resources.   

6) Value proposition: Value Streams are often made in such a manner that they always justify the ‘why’ of the process. An organisation’s value proposition is closely resembled by the Value Stream as it includes the input stage and the output stage. Here, the output stage is the product/service promised by the organisation to its customers.   

7) Continuous improvement: As mentioned previously, the existence of Value Streams bears good practices as their usage enables organisations to improve performance metrics. They’re heavily used to identify the shortcomings of a particular process or a set of processes. They’re also used to study the viability of a relationship between a tool and a methodology. The more findings you come across, the more efficient your entire process becomes.
 

The role of ArchiMate Value Streams in Enterprise Architecture 

Value Streams in ArchiMate play a major role in the creation of Enterprise Architecture as they help highlight the crucial process flows. As mentioned earlier, they also help highlight the bottlenecks in the overall process, resulting in error rectification. Value Streams not only help align the processes with business objectives but also help change certain structures that have been in use before.  

ArchiMate Value Stream plays a crucial set of roles in streamlining the development of Enterprise Architecture. These roles include:  

1) Mapping value creation: ArchiMate Value Stream is responsible for mapping the end-to-end process of value creation and its delivery. A Value Stream is supposed to provide a clear view of the sequence comprising all elements.     

2) Aligning with organisation goals: Since Value Streams provide an end-to-end representation of value generation, the values are evaluated based on the objectives. In a way, Value Streams help organisations cater to the overall objectives that have been set. Enterprise Architects can look for any existing errors and rectify them through Value Streams.  

3) Identifying inefficiencies: If the value costs a lot of resources to the organisation, then the entire value creation process is studied. And since Value Streams are the exact representation of value creation and delivery, it becomes a lot easier for architects to fix any and all issues.   

4) Process optimisation: As the name suggests, Value Streams also cater to process optimisation by identifying bottlenecks, management issues, etc. Enterprise Architects can use these pointers to streamline the flow of value by creating/eliminating/changing the way value conduits work.  

5) Change management: Just like in the previous role, if value generation and delivery are being hampered by technologies and management, Enterprise Architects can then look into the process flow. Change in management can be initiated if technology deployment is meeting standards.   

6) Cross-functional collaboration: The ArchiMate Value Stream also allows the creation and check of cross-functional value generation performance. Since a lot of teams work in tandem, at times, processes can get a little hazy. Understanding them can become a bit difficult without a proper flow. Value Streams are supposed to solve this issue.  

7) Performance measurement: Certain departments comprising technologies, managerial people, etc., can suffer from performance issues. The more elements you add to a flow, the more complex its assessment becomes. Pinpointing an issue can become a bit tricky. However, a Value Stream is supposed to highlight the pain points and offer a clear picture for rectification. 

Still, having trouble finalising the right modelling language for your Enterprise Architecture? How about going through a ArchiMate 3 Training Course first? 

Example of a Value Stream at work in ArchiMate  

Let’s assume that you have a business intelligence case study whose data analysis Value Stream has to be materialised. In the diagram below, you’ll find the values flowing from one stage to the other. Also, every value will come equipped with an associated value item. Every stage in a Value Stream requires a certain set of capabilities. These capabilities can be found in the lower half of the diagram. Here’s the diagram for the case study mentioned previously:
 

 Conclusion 

All in all, an ArchiMate Value Stream simplifies the way processes are carried out. Value generation and delivery are studied and simplified for any and all errors. Value Streams can be created with relative ease. All one needs to remember is the fact that all elements in a process should be accounted for. You can add, subtract, and edit elements from a process flow. You can also change the direction of process flow between departments, teams and various technologies in use. ArchiMate 3.1 Value Stream has a plethora of added features that’ll make the Enterprise Architect’s even easier.  

Wondering what tools will make you a better Enterprise Architect? How about starting your journey with the ArchiMate 3.1 Training Course: Level 1.