Key concepts
Choose the right record for the architecture you want to describe.
On this page
Atlas connects business needs, the systems that support them and the changes you are considering. A fact sheet is the record you open to inspect a model item and follow its relationships.
Choose the record that answers your question
| Question | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What does the business need to be able to do? | Business capability | Manage customer relationships |
| How is work carried out or how is value delivered? | Business architecture | Order fulfilment process or order-to-delivery value stream |
| Which software supports the work? | Application | CRM |
| How does information move between systems? | Integration and interface | CRM sends customer data to ERP through an API |
| Which business information is involved? | Data object | Customer |
| Which technology is used? | IT component | Integration platform |
| Which team is responsible, or which group uses it? | Organization | Customer Platforms or Customer Service Users |
| Which effort will change the landscape? | Initiative | CRM replacement |
Connect the records around a decision
Link the CRM to Customer Management, then follow the outbound integration to ERP and check which data objects it carries. Open the related records to identify owners and inspect sources. Missing links are questions to take back to the people who own the landscape.
In the pilot navigation, Business Capabilities opens the capability map. Capability assessments, processes, value streams and customer journeys describe different aspects of the business. Pick the level of detail the decision needs.
Keep plans and facts separate
An initiative gives a change its business context. A change request holds the proposed model edits. Use the current landscape to see what has been recorded, and the request to see what is awaiting implementation. For the basis of a recorded value, look at Sources and evidence.
Find your way in the pilot navigation
Overview contains Inbox and Reports. Model contains applications, integrations, Business Capabilities, Business Contexts, data objects, IT components, organizations and initiatives. Select a record to open its fact sheet, relationships and sources. Governance contains change requests, decisions and reviews. Design > Views opens Albums and views. Available menus and actions depend on your workspace and access.