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Technology Domain

The Technology domain represents technical components, platforms, and infrastructure that enable business operations and capability delivery. It provides a structured approach for modeling applications, systems, platforms, and technical infrastructure within business architecture.

Schema: technology.schema.json
Specification: JSON Schema Draft-07

Overview​

What is Technology?​

Technology in business architecture represents the technical assets that enable and support organizational capabilities. The Technology domain covers:

  • Applications — Software systems supporting business functions
  • Infrastructure — Hardware, networks, and foundational services
  • Platforms — Integrated technology environments
  • Integration — Connections between systems and data flows
  • Technical Services — Shared technology capabilities

The domain connects technical assets to business capabilities, helping organizations understand how technology enables value delivery.

Purpose and Value​

The Technology domain enables architects and planners to:

  • Map technology to capabilities — Understand how technical assets enable business functions
  • Assess technology landscape — Identify redundancies, gaps, and modernization needs
  • Plan technology investments — Align IT spending with business priorities
  • Manage technical debt — Track and prioritize technology improvements
  • Enable digital transformation — Connect business change to technology change
For Data Engineers

The Technology domain maps directly to your technical landscape:

  • Application → Service /Application in your CMDB
  • Infrastructure → Compute, storage, network resources
  • Platform → Data platform, cloud platform
  • Integration → Data pipelines, APIs, event streams
  • Technical Service → Shared services (auth, monitoring, etc.)

Core Components​

The Technology domain uses a layered structure:

  1. Application Layer: Business and analytical applications
  2. Platform Layer: Integrated technology environments
  3. Infrastructure Layer: Foundational compute, storage, network

A record states its position in the stack with technologyLayer and its kind with technologyType (a platform is technologyType: platform). Inside a record, applicationComponents, technologyServices, infrastructureElements and standardElements describe its parts.

Domain Attributes​

Core Attributes​

AttributeTypeDescriptionRequired
technologyIDStringUnique identifier for the technology element✓
titleStringName or title of the technology component or service✓
descriptionStringDetailed explanation of the technology element✓
technologyTypeEnumClassification of technology (see below)
orgUnitTitleStringIT or technology organization unit responsible for this component✓
orgUnitIDStringID of the organization unit (see orgUnitTitle)
orgUnitRolesArray[String]Roles within the technology organization that manage this component
technologyLayerEnumPosition in the technology stack (see below)
currentStateEnumStatus of the technology element (see below)
targetStateStringDesired future state
businessOwnerStringBusiness stakeholder responsible
technicalOwnerStringTechnical stakeholder responsible
supportModelStringSupport and maintenance approach
lifecycleEnumCurrent lifecycle stage on the shared adoption curve (see below)
vendorsArray[String]External vendors and partners involved
standardsArray[String]Applicable technology standards
costsObjectFinancial implications: acquisitionCost, implementationCost, annualOperatingCost, totalCostOfOwnership (five-year), costTrends
risksArray[String]Technical and business risks
securityClassificationEnumSecurity requirements rating: low, medium, high or critical. Give the reason in prose, e.g. "high: contains sensitive customer data"
performanceRequirementsStringRequired performance characteristics
complianceRequirementsArray[String]Regulatory compliance considerations
strategicAlignmentStringHow this technology supports business strategy
performanceIndicatorsArray[Object]Metrics used to measure technology performance (see Performance Indicator)
dependenciesArray[Object]Domains, processes or systems supporting or depending on this technology: dependencyType (critical, important, supportive, optional), domainType, entityID, description
relatedTechnologiesArray[Object]Other technologies related to this one: technologyID, relationshipType, relationshipStrength (Integer 1–5), description
improvementOpportunitiesArray[String]Areas where the technology can be enhanced
applicationComponentsArray[Object]Application components (see Application Component)
technologyServicesArray[Object]Technology services provided (see Technology Service)
infrastructureElementsArray[Object]Infrastructure elements (see Infrastructure Element)
standardElementsArray[Object]Technology standards (see Standard Element)
governanceModelObjectHow the technology is governed: governanceStructure, decisionRights, reviewProcess, changeManagement
dataSecurityObjectSecurity of data handling: dataClassification, securityControls, complianceStatus (shared compliance status list), securityAssessments
maturityLevelObjectMaturity assessment: overallMaturity (initial, repeatable, defined, managed, optimizing), maturityAssessmentDate (Date), maturityRoadmap
lastUpdatedDateDate when the record was last updated
crossDomainRelationshipsArray[Object]Directional relationships from this record to entities in other domains (see Cross-Domain Relationships)

Performance Indicator​

Technology performance indicators use the shared performance indicator definition in common.schema.json.

FieldTypeDescriptionRequired
metricNameStringName of the metric✓
metricDescriptionStringWhat the metric measures
currentValueStringCurrent value
targetValueStringTarget value
unitStringUnit of measurement
trendEnumDirection against the goal: improving, stable, declining, fluctuating, notTracked

Enumeration Values​

Technology Type (technologyType)​

ValueDescriptionExample
applicationBusiness, analytical or custom softwareSAP, Salesforce, custom web apps
infrastructureFoundational technical resourcesServers, VMs, storage, API gateway clusters
serviceShared technology serviceAuthentication, monitoring
platformIntegrated technology environmentData platform, cloud platform, Kubernetes
databaseData storage systemPostgreSQL, Oracle, Snowflake
integrationIntegration middleware and data flow technologyMuleSoft, ETL tools, event streams
securitySecurity technologyIAM, encryption, SIEM
endUserEnd-user computingLaptops, productivity suites
networkNetwork infrastructureRouters, firewalls, load balancers
standardA technology standardOpenAPI 3.0
otherAny other technology—

Technology Layer (technologyLayer)​

ValueDescription
presentationUser interfaces and channels
applicationBusiness and analytical applications
dataData storage, management and analytics
integrationAPIs, messaging and data movement
infrastructureCompute, storage and network
securitySecurity controls and services
managementOperations, monitoring and management tooling
crossCuttingConcerns spanning several layers
otherAny other layer

Current State (currentState)​

ValueDescriptionExample
proposedUnder evaluation or planningNew technology assessment
underDevelopmentBeing developed or configuredImplementation project
pilotIn pilot or testingLimited deployment
productionActively in productionLive systems
beingReplacedBeing replaced by another technologyMigration under way
deprecatedStill running but no longer recommendedLegacy systems
retiredNo longer in useDecommissioned

Lifecycle Stage (lifecycle)​

lifecycle uses the shared adoption stage list: where the technology sits on its adoption curve, as distinct from its operational currentState.

ValueDescriptionExample
emergingNew technology, early adoptionGenerative AI tooling
growthAdoption expandingExpanding API platform
matureEstablished and stableCore ERP
decliningUse decreasingOlder middleware
legacyKept running but not invested inMainframe applications
sunsetPlanned for retirementSystems scheduled for decommissioning

Relationship Type (relationshipType)​

Used in relatedTechnologies.

ValueDescription
dependsOnThis technology depends on the related one
supportsThis technology supports the related one
integratesWithThe technologies exchange data or calls
replacesThis technology replaces the related one
isReplacedByThis technology is replaced by the related one
extendsThis technology extends the related one
complementThe technologies complement each other
alternativeThe technologies are alternatives
otherAny other relationship

Standard Status (standardStatus)​

ValueDescription
emergingBeing trialled or introduced
currentThe current standard
stableEstablished, not expected to change
decliningBeing phased out
deprecatedNo longer recommended
retiredNo longer in force

Compliance Requirement (complianceRequirement)​

ValueDescription
mandatoryMust be followed
recommendedShould be followed
optionalMay be followed
referenceOnlyFor reference only

Technology Component Elements​

Application Component (applicationComponent)​

AttributeTypeDescriptionRequired
applicationNameStringName of the application✓
applicationDescriptionStringDetailed description✓
applicationCategoryStringClassification within the portfolio
businessCapabilitiesSupportedArray[String]Linked business capabilities
functionalDescriptionStringKey functions provided
interfacesProvidedArray[String]Interfaces exposed to other systems
interfacesConsumedArray[String]External interfaces consumed
dataEntitiesManagedArray[String]Key data handled by the application
technologyStackStringTechnical foundation
deploymentModelStringHow the application is deployed (e.g. public cloud, on-premises, SaaS)
scalabilityStringScaling capabilities and limitations
availabilityStringAvailability requirements and measures
developmentApproachStringDevelopment methodology used
lifecycleStageStringCurrent stage in the application lifecycle

Technology Service (technologyService)​

AttributeTypeDescriptionRequired
serviceNameStringName of the technology service✓
serviceDescriptionStringDetailed description✓
serviceTypeStringClassification of service
serviceLevelStringPerformance and reliability parameters
serviceConsumersArray[String]Systems that use this service
serviceProvidersArray[String]Systems that deliver this service
serviceProtocolArray[String]Technical protocols used
serviceInterfacesArray[String]Interface specifications
securityControlsStringSecurity measures applied
serviceDependenciesArray[String]Other services required
serviceAvailabilityStringAvailability characteristics
serviceScalabilityStringScaling capabilities
serviceCostStringCost structure for this service
serviceMonitoringStringHow service health is tracked

Infrastructure Element (infrastructureElement)​

AttributeTypeDescriptionRequired
infrastructureNameStringName of the infrastructure component✓
infrastructureTypeStringType of infrastructure✓
infrastructureLocationStringPhysical or logical location (e.g. primary data center, AWS region)
capacityMetricsStringKey capacity parameters
utilizationMetricsStringCurrent utilization levels
environmentTypeStringProduction, development, test, etc.
infrastructureManagerStringResponsible management entity
backupStrategyStringData protection approach
disasterRecoveryCapabilityStringRecovery capabilities
technicalSpecificationsStringDetailed specifications
maintenanceScheduleStringMaintenance approach
endOfLifeDateStringExpected retirement date
replacementStrategyStringApproach to replacement
infrastructureCostStringCost structure

Standard Element (standardElement)​

AttributeTypeDescriptionRequired
standardNameStringName of the technology standard✓
standardTypeStringCategory of standard
standardDescriptionStringDetailed description✓
standardVersionStringCurrent version
standardStatusEnumStatus of the standard (see above)
complianceRequirementEnumWhether compliance is mandatory, recommended, optional or for reference (see above)
enforcementMechanismStringHow compliance is enforced
waiverProcessStringProcess for exceptions
standardUsageStringWhere the standard applies
standardBenefitsStringBenefits of adoption
alternativeStandardsStringAcceptable alternatives
governingBodyStringEntity managing the standard

Domain Relationships​

The Technology domain integrates with other metamodel domains:

Target DomainRelationship TypeDescription
CapabilitiesEnablementTechnology enables capability delivery
InformationManagementTechnology manages information assets
ServicesDeliveryTechnology delivers service capabilities
ProductsSupportTechnology supports product delivery
OrganizationOwnershipOrganization units own technology assets
PerformanceMeasurementTechnology tracked through performance metrics
PolicyComplianceTechnology complies with policies
InitiativesImplementationInitiatives implement technology changes
Value StreamAutomationTechnology automates value stream activities
StakeholderUsageStakeholders use technology systems

A technology record lists its own relationships in crossDomainRelationships, with itself as the source (see Example 3).

Examples​

Example 1: Enterprise Data Platform​

{
"technologyID": "TECH-DATA-001",
"title": "Enterprise Data Platform",
"description": "Cloud-native data platform providing unified data management, analytics, and AI/ML capabilities for the enterprise, enabling data-driven decision making through centralized, governed data access",
"technologyType": "platform",
"orgUnitTitle": "Data and Analytics Division",
"orgUnitID": "OU-DATA-001",
"technologyLayer": "data",
"currentState": "production",
"businessOwner": "Chief Data Officer",
"technicalOwner": "Head of Data Platform",
"supportModel": "Vendor support with internal platform team; serves 500 analysts, 50 data scientists and 100 dashboard users",
"lifecycle": "mature",
"vendors": ["Snowflake", "AWS"],
"costs": {
"annualOperatingCost": "$1.2M (compute: $800K, storage: $400K)"
},
"risks": ["Cloud provider dependency", "Data security", "Cost management"],
"securityClassification": "high",
"performanceRequirements": "99.9% SLA, multi-AZ deployment, auto-scaling compute with separate storage scaling",
"complianceRequirements": ["SOC2", "GDPR", "Internal data policies"],
"strategicAlignment": "Core enabler for digital transformation and data-driven culture initiatives",
"performanceIndicators": [
{
"metricName": "Query Response Time",
"metricDescription": "95th percentile query response time",
"targetValue": "<5s"
},
{
"metricName": "Data Freshness",
"metricDescription": "Delay between source update and availability in the platform",
"targetValue": "<4 hours"
}
],
"dependencies": [
{
"dependencyType": "critical",
"domainType": "technology",
"entityID": "TECH-AWS-001",
"description": "AWS infrastructure"
},
{
"dependencyType": "critical",
"domainType": "technology",
"entityID": "TECH-IDP-001",
"description": "Corporate identity provider for SSO"
}
],
"applicationComponents": [
{
"applicationName": "Data Ingestion Layer",
"applicationDescription": "Manages data ingestion from 50+ source systems",
"interfacesConsumed": [
"SAP ERP (daily batch ETL)",
"Salesforce CRM (CDC streaming, near real-time)"
],
"deploymentModel": "Public cloud"
},
{
"applicationName": "Analytics Data Mart",
"applicationDescription": "Curated data models for business analytics",
"interfacesProvided": ["Tableau direct query"],
"dataEntitiesManaged": [
"Customer Master Data",
"Transaction History",
"Financial Data",
"Operational Metrics"
]
}
],
"dataSecurity": {
"dataClassification": "Confidential",
"securityControls": ["SSO integration", "Column-level security", "Data masking", "Audit logging"],
"complianceStatus": "compliant"
},
"crossDomainRelationships": [
{
"targetDomain": "capability",
"targetEntityID": "CAP-DATA-001",
"relationshipType": "enables",
"description": "Enables the Data Integration, Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics capabilities"
}
]
}

Example 2: Track Monitoring System​

{
"technologyID": "TECH-TRACK-002",
"title": "Track Condition Monitoring System",
"description": "IoT-based system for real-time monitoring of track conditions using sensors and predictive analytics, enabling predictive maintenance and improved safety",
"technologyType": "application",
"orgUnitTitle": "Technology Innovation Division",
"technologyLayer": "application",
"currentState": "production",
"technicalOwner": "Director of Track Technology",
"supportModel": "Internal support (internally developed, version 3.2.1)",
"lifecycle": "growth",
"costs": {
"acquisitionCost": "$2M sensor network (capital)",
"annualOperatingCost": "$450K"
},
"risks": ["Sensor reliability", "Connectivity in remote areas", "Model accuracy"],
"securityClassification": "high",
"performanceRequirements": "99.5% uptime, fault-tolerant architecture",
"complianceRequirements": ["Federal regulations", "Safety standards"],
"strategicAlignment": "Directly supports safety excellence and infrastructure reliability goals",
"performanceIndicators": [
{
"metricName": "Sensor Data Latency",
"targetValue": "<1 second"
},
{
"metricName": "Prediction Accuracy",
"currentValue": "94%"
}
],
"technologyServices": [
{
"serviceName": "Sensor Data Collection",
"serviceDescription": "Real-time collection of track sensor data over MQTT",
"serviceProtocol": ["MQTT"],
"securityControls": "End-to-end encryption, device authentication"
},
{
"serviceName": "Work Order Generation",
"serviceDescription": "Event-driven creation of maintenance work orders",
"serviceConsumers": ["Maintenance Management System"],
"serviceProtocol": ["REST API"]
}
],
"infrastructureElements": [
{
"infrastructureName": "Track Sensor Hosting",
"infrastructureType": "Hybrid cloud",
"infrastructureLocation": "Azure and edge gateways"
}
],
"crossDomainRelationships": [
{
"targetDomain": "capability",
"targetEntityID": "CAP-TRACK-INSPECT-001",
"relationshipType": "enables",
"description": "Enables track inspection, predictive maintenance and safety monitoring"
}
]
}

Example 3: Enterprise API Management Platform​

{
"technologyID": "TECH-API-001",
"title": "Enterprise API Management Platform",
"description": "Centralized platform for designing, implementing, publishing, and monitoring APIs across the organization, enabling secure integration between internal and external systems.",
"technologyType": "infrastructure",
"orgUnitTitle": "Enterprise Architecture & Integration",
"orgUnitRoles": [
"API Platform Manager",
"Integration Architect",
"Security Architect"
],
"technologyLayer": "integration",
"currentState": "production",
"targetState": "enhance with AI-driven API analytics and automated documentation generation",
"businessOwner": "Chief Digital Officer",
"technicalOwner": "VP of Enterprise Architecture",
"supportModel": "24/7 operational support with specialized integration team and vendor escalation path",
"lifecycle": "growth",
"vendors": [
"MuleSoft",
"Apigee"
],
"standards": [
"REST API Design Standards",
"OAuth 2.0",
"OpenAPI 3.0"
],
"costs": {
"implementationCost": "$1.8M",
"annualOperatingCost": "$1.2M ($750K licensing, $450K operations)"
},
"risks": [
"API security vulnerabilities",
"Scalability limitations during peak loads",
"Developer adoption challenges"
],
"securityClassification": "high",
"performanceRequirements": "99.99% gateway availability, <100ms latency overhead, 5000 TPS capacity",
"complianceRequirements": [
"SOC2 compliance",
"Data residency requirements",
"Regulatory audit trails"
],
"strategicAlignment": "Enabler for digital ecosystem strategy, partner integration, and legacy modernization initiatives",
"applicationComponents": [
{
"applicationName": "API Developer Portal",
"applicationDescription": "Self-service platform for API discovery, documentation, and developer onboarding",
"applicationCategory": "development-tool",
"businessCapabilitiesSupported": [
"Partner Ecosystem Management",
"Digital Channel Development",
"Integration"
],
"functionalDescription": "API catalog, interactive documentation, API key management, analytics dashboard, community forums",
"interfacesProvided": [
"Developer Registration API",
"API Metrics API",
"Documentation Rendering Service"
],
"interfacesConsumed": [
"API Gateway Metrics",
"API Repository",
"Identity Service"
],
"dataEntitiesManaged": [
"API definitions",
"Developer accounts",
"Application registrations",
"Usage analytics"
],
"technologyStack": "Node.js, React, MongoDB, Docker, Kubernetes",
"deploymentModel": "Containerized microservices in private cloud",
"scalability": "Horizontally scalable to support 10,000 registered developers",
"availability": "99.9% availability with automated failover",
"developmentApproach": "Agile with CI/CD pipeline",
"lifecycleStage": "growth - expanding capabilities for external developer communities"
}
],
"technologyServices": [
{
"serviceName": "API Gateway Service",
"serviceDescription": "Core service managing API routing, security, throttling, and monitoring",
"serviceType": "integration-service",
"serviceLevel": "99.99% availability, <100ms latency, 24/7 support",
"serviceConsumers": [
"Mobile Applications",
"Web Applications",
"Partner Systems",
"Internal Microservices"
],
"serviceProviders": [
"API Gateway Clusters",
"Load Balancers"
],
"serviceProtocol": [
"HTTPS",
"WebSockets",
"gRPC"
],
"serviceInterfaces": [
"Management REST API",
"Metrics API",
"Configuration API"
],
"securityControls": "OAuth 2.0 enforcement, API key validation, JWT validation, rate limiting, IP filtering",
"serviceDependencies": [
"Identity and Access Management Service",
"Monitoring and Alerting Platform"
],
"serviceAvailability": "Active-active deployment across multiple availability zones",
"serviceScalability": "Auto-scaling based on traffic patterns up to 5000 TPS",
"serviceCost": "$85 per million API calls with volume discounts",
"serviceMonitoring": "Real-time dashboards, synthetic testing, anomaly detection, business impact alerts"
}
],
"infrastructureElements": [
{
"infrastructureName": "API Gateway Cluster",
"infrastructureType": "application-infrastructure",
"infrastructureLocation": "Multi-region cloud deployment",
"capacityMetrics": "5000 transactions per second, 2TB configuration storage",
"utilizationMetrics": "Average 45% CPU utilization, 65% peak periods",
"environmentType": "production",
"infrastructureManager": "Integration Operations Team",
"backupStrategy": "Configuration snapshots every 6 hours, geo-redundant storage",
"disasterRecoveryCapability": "Multi-region active-active with automated failover",
"technicalSpecifications": "Container-based deployment on Kubernetes, with dedicated nodes for high-performance processing",
"maintenanceSchedule": "Monthly patch window, rolling updates without downtime",
"endOfLifeDate": "Platform refresh planned for 2028",
"replacementStrategy": "Continuous evolution with major version upgrades annually",
"infrastructureCost": "Annual operational cost of $650K including cloud resources"
}
],
"standardElements": [
{
"standardName": "Enterprise API Design Standard",
"standardType": "integration",
"standardDescription": "Comprehensive guidelines for designing, documenting, and implementing APIs across the enterprise",
"standardVersion": "3.2",
"standardStatus": "current",
"complianceRequirement": "mandatory",
"enforcementMechanism": "Automated validation in CI/CD pipeline, architectural review for exceptions",
"waiverProcess": "Formal exception request to API Governance Board with business justification",
"standardUsage": "All internal and external APIs developed by the organization",
"standardBenefits": "Consistent developer experience, improved reusability, streamlined integration, reduced support costs",
"alternativeStandards": "GraphQL standard available for complex data retrieval scenarios",
"governingBody": "API Governance Board chaired by Enterprise Architecture"
}
],
"performanceIndicators": [
{
"metricName": "API Platform Adoption",
"metricDescription": "Percentage of enterprise integrations using the API platform",
"currentValue": "72%",
"targetValue": "95%",
"trend": "improving"
},
{
"metricName": "Developer Satisfaction",
"metricDescription": "Average rating from API consumers",
"currentValue": "4.1/5.0",
"targetValue": "4.5/5.0",
"trend": "stable"
},
{
"metricName": "API Response Time",
"metricDescription": "Average latency added by API gateway",
"currentValue": "85ms",
"targetValue": "<50ms",
"trend": "improving"
},
{
"metricName": "API Reuse Rate",
"metricDescription": "Average number of consumers per API",
"currentValue": "3.8",
"targetValue": "6.0",
"trend": "improving"
}
],
"crossDomainRelationships": [
{
"targetDomain": "capability",
"targetEntityID": "CAP-INT-001",
"relationshipType": "enables",
"description": "Enables System Integration capability through standardized API management",
"metadata": {
"strength": 5
}
},
{
"targetDomain": "service",
"targetEntityID": "SRV-PARTNER-002",
"relationshipType": "delivers",
"description": "Delivers secure partner integration services through managed APIs",
"metadata": {
"strength": 4
}
},
{
"targetDomain": "initiative",
"targetEntityID": "INIT-DIGITAL-005",
"relationshipType": "enables",
"description": "Core enabler for Digital Ecosystem Initiative",
"metadata": {
"strength": 5
}
}
]
}

Implementation Guidelines​

Technology Management Best Practices​

  1. Align to capabilities — Map every technology asset to business capabilities
  2. Manage lifecycle — Track lifecycle stage and plan transitions
  3. Control technical debt — Document and prioritize debt remediation
  4. Standardize platforms — Consolidate to strategic platforms
  5. Plan for change — Maintain technology roadmaps aligned to strategy

Technology Landscape Assessment​

OpenMetadata Integration​

For Data Platform Teams

When integrating with OpenMetadata, map Technology entities as follows:

Triodian ElementOpenMetadata EntityNotes
applicationServiceApplication as a service
databaseDatabaseDatabase assets
platform (data platform)Database ServicePlatform connection
integrationPipelineIntegration flows
Technology service (API)API ServiceAPI endpoints
# Example: Map Technology to OpenMetadata Service
def create_service(technology):
"""
Map Triodian Technology to OpenMetadata Service entity
"""
service_type_map = {
"database": "databaseService",
"platform": "databaseService",
"integration": "pipelineService",
"infrastructure": "storageService"
}

return {
"name": technology["title"].lower().replace(" ", "_"),
"displayName": technology["title"],
"description": technology["description"],
"serviceType": service_type_map.get(
technology.get("technologyType"), "customService"
),
"owner": {"name": technology.get("technicalOwner", technology["orgUnitTitle"]), "type": "user"},
"tags": [
{"tagFQN": f"TechnologyLayer.{technology.get('technologyLayer', 'other')}"},
{"tagFQN": f"Lifecycle.{technology.get('lifecycle', 'mature')}"},
{"tagFQN": f"CurrentState.{technology.get('currentState', 'production')}"}
],
"extension": {"triodianTechnologyID": technology["technologyID"]}
}

Schema Reference​


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