Policy overview
1 Purpose
To provide the framework and principles for the University's Enterprise Architecture.
2 Scope
This policy applies to all Employees, Researchers and University Members.
3 Policy Statement
The University adheres to an Enterprise Architecture framework and principles that maximise the digital capabilities of the University.
Enterprise Architecture is a business strategy which captures, documents, classifies and analyses all aspects of the enterprise in order to make the Information relevant for Decision makers, including business managers, business analysts and technology specialists.
Effective Enterprise Architecture is achieved through the application of a comprehensive and thorough process for describing a current and future structure and behaviour for the University's processes, Information, applications, technology and supporting the People Portfolio.
4 Principles
The Enterprise Architecture principles will guide the selection, design and implementation of business solutions for the three aspects of Information, applications and technology.
All principles are inter-related and collectively applied to:
- provide a framework within which the University makes informed and considered Decisions about Information and Communication Technology (ICT);
- establish evaluation criteria for the selection of products or product architectures;
- define the functional requirements of the Enterprise Architecture;
- assess existing ICT systems and the future strategic portfolio, for compliance with the defined architectures; and
- support governance activities related to the University's Enterprise Architecture.
4.1 Business Architecture Principles
The following principles apply to Business Architecture:
- Decisions are made with the intention of achieving maximum benefit to the University.
- Enterprise operations are designed with sufficient resiliency to ensure a high probability of continued operations.
- Applications are developed for use across the enterprise in preference to similar or duplicative applications which are provided to a particular section.
4.2 Information Architecture Principles
The following principles apply to Information Architecture:
- Information is a valued corporate resource and is managed accordingly.
- Data is Accessible and shared for users to perform their functions.
- Each data element has an Information Asset Custodian accountable for data quality.
- Data is defined consistently across the organisation and the definitions are understandable and available to all users.
- Information is protected from unauthorised use and disclosure.
4.3 Application Architecture Principles
The following principles apply to Application Architecture:
- Applications are independent of specific technology choices and therefore can operate on a variety of technology Platforms.
- Applications are easy to use and the underlying technology is transparent to users so they can concentrate on tasks at hand.
4.4 Technology Architecture Principles
The following principles apply to Technology Architecture:
- Changes to applications and technology are only made in response to business needs.
- Changes to the enterprise Information environment are planned and implemented in a timely manner.
- Technological diversity is controlled to minimise the non-trivial cost of maintaining expertise in and connectivity between multiple processing environments.
- Software and hardware conforms to defined standards that promote interoperability for data, applications and technology.
4.5 Information Security Architecture Principle
Systems integrate with the University's endorsed identity management system and Single Sign On (including multi-factor authentication) solution as appropriate.
4.6 Cloud Computing Principles
The University's preferred position is to adopt and use Cloud Computing services, subject to business case and privacy considerations, and only after issues regarding security and risk have been identified and mitigated.
Figure 1: Cloud First approach to IT service deployment
(Reproduced from 'Cloud Strategy for Higher Education: Building a Common Solution'. Research bulletin. Louisville, CO: ECAR, November 5, 2014. Available from http://www.educause.edu/ecar)
This approach focuses the value of limited ICT resources on delivering the most business value to the University. The following additional principles apply:
- Australian-based Cloud Computing services must be the first option for any new services or when evaluating alternatives or revisions to current services.
- When evaluating applications or Platforms, those that can run on cloud infrastructure are chosen where institutional benefit from utilising Cloud Computing services is identified and articulated during evaluation.
- When evaluating Cloud Computing services, services are selected that run as high up the stack as possible (refer Figure 1).
- Reasonable procedures are taken to ensure the security of University Information and compliance with all applicable Regulatory Compliance Instruments, Policy and Procedures.
- All cloud service agreements are subject to the University's Procurement and Purchasing and Contract Management Policy and Procedure requirements irrespective of whether payment is required.
- Integration with existing on-premises and other cloud services is considered, including identity management, networking, storage, etc. Decisions to not integrate will be made deliberately. Preference will be given to systems that have common functional integration capabilities, such as web service APIs.
- Before contracting with a Cloud Computing provider, the University will be assured that the level of Information Security provided is at least equivalent to that which would be provided if the services were hosted internally to the University.
- ICT Services develops and maintains a schedule of sanctioned cloud service providers and services.
- Information System Custodians must consult with ICT Services prior to commencing any relevant applications for the use of cloud services.
4.7 Openness Principles
The University recognises the importance of open education, open systems, open source applications, open data and fostering support for open source communities.
To this end, the University encourages institutional practices that provide the broadest access to knowledge, Information, learning and training offered through formal education and, wherever possible, eliminating barriers to entry through increasing Accessibility to Information.
Through open access, the University encourages accelerated discovery and assists wider dissemination of research and Information funded from public sources.
4.8 User Experience Architecture Principles
The University will provide an intuitive and seamless User Experience across all online systems. Systems are designed to be simple to use, effective and as automated as possible.
The University promotes collaboration and communication between Information System Custodians prior to, during and post system implementation or change. Information System Custodians must give consideration to system dependencies, the potential of one system to impact another and subsequently affect the overall User Experience.
- The following Usability principles apply to the University online User Experience:
- Systems are selected, designed and developed cognisant of the importance of demonstrating a User-first approach to ensure a satisfying online experience that supports user goals and task completion.
- Systems that promote a superior User Experience will:
- where feasible, enable data to be collated in a usable form for analytical purposes to support operational and/or strategic business Decisions
- display successfully and be compatible with Browser technologies as guided by the University Standard Operating Environment (SOE)
- be designed to provide an optimal User Experience across desktop and mobile devices
- include system content that is of a high quality and Searchable
- provide sufficient help resources to assist Users.
- System Interfaces must enhance Usability and be designed to:
- meet current Accessibility criteria
- reflect the University's digital visual identity, as far as practicable, within the guidelines provided in the Brand Toolkit and in accordance with the System Tier Schedule of the User Experience Architecture Procedure
- integrate selected common functionality, as far as practicable, and consistent with the System Tier Schedule of the User Experience Architecture Procedure.
5 References
Educause Centre for Analysis and Research. (2014). Cloud Strategy for Higher Education: Building a Common Solution. Retrieved November 6 2013, from http://www.educause.edu/ecar.
Queensland Government Chief Information Office. Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture (QGEA). Retrieved January 2024, from https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/information-and-communication-technology/queensland-government-enterprise-architecture-qgea.
TOGAF 8.1.1 Architecture Principles. Retrieved July 4 2017, from http://pubs.opengroup.org/architecture/togaf8-doc/arch/chap29.html.
6 Schedules
This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Policy Information
| Accountable Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise Services) |
| Responsible Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise Services) |
| Policy Type | Executive Policy |
| Policy Suite | Information Asset and Security Classification Procedure |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 20/10/2017 |
| Effective Date | 20/10/2017 |
| Review Date | 14/12/2028 |
| Relevant Legislation | Disability Discrimination Act 1992 |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | Acceptable use of ICT Resources Policy Contract Management Policy (under development) ICT Information Management and Security Policy Official Information Policy and Procedure |
| Related Procedures | Contract Management Procedure (under development) Engagement of Cloud Computing Services Procedure Information Systems Financial Management Procedure Records and Information Management Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | Brand Toolkit (restricted access) Enterprise Information Management Framework (EIM Framework) International Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Project Management Framework (restricted access) |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| An online repository of guidelines and templates for the marketing and communication of the University by Employees, to Students and the community....moreAn online repository of guidelines and templates for the marketing and communication of the University by Employees, to Students and the community. A determination made by an Employee, contractor or other authorised delegate in the course of their duties on behalf of the University....moreA determination made by an Employee, contractor or other authorised delegate in the course of their duties on behalf of the University. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. Any collection of data that is processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, classified or communicated in order to serve a useful purpose, present facts or represent knowledge in any medium or form. This includes presentation in electronic (digital), print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical sample, textual or numerical form....moreAny collection of data that is processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, classified or communicated in order to serve a useful purpose, present facts or represent knowledge in any medium or form. This includes presentation in electronic (digital), print, audio, video, image, graphical, cartographic, physical sample, textual or numerical form. Defines strategic uses of information and is accountable for ensuring that information assets are managed in compliance with the Information Governance Framework....moreDefines strategic uses of information and is accountable for ensuring that information assets are managed in compliance with the Information Governance Framework. An individual or group of people who have been officially designated as accountable for specific data that is transmitted, used, and stored on a System within the University....moreAn individual or group of people who have been officially designated as accountable for specific data that is transmitted, used, and stored on a System within the University. The organised collections of hardware, software, equipment, policies, procedures and people that store, process, control and provide access to information....moreThe organised collections of hardware, software, equipment, policies, procedures and people that store, process, control and provide access to information. A high level strategic directive that establishes a principle based approach on a subject. Policy is operationalised through Procedures that give instructions and set out processes to implement a Policy....moreA high level strategic directive that establishes a principle based approach on a subject. Policy is operationalised through Procedures that give instructions and set out processes to implement a Policy. An operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy....moreAn operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy. Regulatory Compliance Instrument An external compliance instrument provided by legislation, regulation, standards, statutes or rules, including subordinate instruments....moreAn external compliance instrument provided by legislation, regulation, standards, statutes or rules, including subordinate instruments. Any person/s involved in Research Activities at, or on behalf of the University. This includes, but is not limited to Employees, Students, visiting scholars, research partners, research affiliates, holders of Honorary or Adjunct positions....moreAny person/s involved in Research Activities at, or on behalf of the University. This includes, but is not limited to Employees, Students, visiting scholars, research partners, research affiliates, holders of Honorary or Adjunct positions. A property of access control of multiple related, but independent software systems. With this property a user logs in once and gains access to all systems without being prompted to log in again at each of them....moreA property of access control of multiple related, but independent software systems. With this property a user logs in once and gains access to all systems without being prompted to log in again at each of them. A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. A framework that is used to evaluate performance at every stage of the student life cycle. The journey commences at the first point of contact (decision to apply time) and proceeds through to graduation and alumni. The Student Learning Journey prompts people across the organisation to think about the Student experience from a holistic perspective and not a series of unrelated events....moreA framework that is used to evaluate performance at every stage of the student life cycle. The journey commences at the first point of contact (decision to apply time) and proceeds through to graduation and alumni. The Student Learning Journey prompts people across the organisation to think about the Student experience from a holistic perspective and not a series of unrelated events. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. Persons who include: Employees of the University whose conditions of employment are covered by the UniSQ Enterprise Agreement whether full time or fractional, continuing, fixed-term or casual, including senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University; members of the University Council and University Committees; visiti...morePersons who include: Employees of the University whose conditions of employment are covered by the UniSQ Enterprise Agreement whether full time or fractional, continuing, fixed-term or casual, including senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University; members of the University Council and University Committees; visiting, honorary and adjunct appointees; volunteers who contribute to University activities or who act on behalf of the University; and individuals who are granted access to University facilities or who are engaged in providing services to the University, such as contractors or consultants, where applicable. | |
| Definitions that relate to this policy only | |
| Accessible/ility Systems are designed to enable access to a wider range of people with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity and combinations of these. Following current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines will also make content more usable to users in general. Application Architecture The blueprint for the individual application systems to be deployed, the interactions between the application systems and their relationship to the core business processes of the organisation. Browser A software program that allows the user to find and read encoded documents in a form suitable for display, especially such a program for use on the World Wide Web. Examples include, but are not limited to Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera. Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/browser Business Architecture The strategic governance and key business processes of the organisation. Cloud Computing A model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. Enterprise Architecture Organising an enterprise's resources - its services, processes, Information, applications, and technology infrastructure - and establishing policy and related procedure to achieve desired business outcomes, technical standardisation and integration. Source: Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture Framework 2.0. Information Architecture The structure of an organisation's logical and physical Information Assets and associated Information management resources. Source: Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture Framework 2.0. Information Security Architecture The structure and behaviour of an organisation's security processes, Information security systems, personnel and organisational sub-units. Responsive Refers to the ability of systems to display content across multiple devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones, tablets and desktops. Platform The combination of device (hardware), firmware and/or operating system used to run Browser software when accessing web content. Searchable A website, resource or application that is capable of being computationally searched. System Interface The visual part of an application or operating system through which a user interacts. Technology Architecture The hardware, software and network infrastructure needed to support the deployment of supported applications. Usability The ease of use and learnability of a system that allows users to effectively and efficiently achieve specific goals. User Experience Encompasses all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the University's online systems (academic and non-academic), applications, tools, resources, artefacts and content. An exemplary User Experience will be seamless and meet the needs of Users through the provision of simple, effective and well-designed systems. | |
| Keywords | |
| Record No | 13/797PL |