Architecture is about understanding how an organisation works and how it needs to evolve to achieve its goals. It looks at the organisation as a whole, bringing together its business, information and technology to ensure they work towards a common purpose.​

This picture is made up of connected domains. Business architecture describes what the organisation does and how it creates value. Data, application and integration architecture explain how information and systems support the business. Infrastructure, security and AI architecture provide the underlying foundations those systems rely on. These areas are closely linked, so a change in one can have an impact on the others.​

Good architecture helps an organisation make informed decisions, direct investment where it will have the greatest value and identify risks early. Most importantly, it ensures that technology serves the needs of the business and supports its wider objectives.​