Zachmen Framework   The Zachman Framework (diagram below) consists of a two dimensional classification matrix based on the intersection of six communication questions (What, Where, When, Why, Who and How) with six rows according to reification transformations. The Zachman Framework is a taxonomy for organizing architectural artifacts (in other words, design documents, specifications, and models) that takes into account both whom the artefact targets (for example, business owner and builder) and what particular issue (for example, data and functionality) is being addressed. Many organizations try to meet regulatory compliance by firstly focusing on the logical (or even worse) physical layers. In effect, organizations try to build packaged solutions. Knowlx starts with the contextual and conceptual layers, ensuring regulatory compliance goals and organizational constraints are fully modelled, before any consideration is given to ‘solution’ focused layers. Zachman Framework Example . The Zachman Framework describes a holistic model of an enterprise's information infrastructure from six perspectives: planner, owner, designer, builder, subcontractor, and the working system. There is no guidance on sequence, process or implementation of the framework. The focus is on ensuring that all aspects of an enterprise are well-organized and exhibit clear relationships that will ensure a complete system regardless of the order in which they are established. The Zachman framework is a great way to think about the relationships between systems, data, processes and business. The six perspectives capture all the critical models required for system development. A complete system can be modeled by depicting answers to the questions why, who, what, how, where and when The constraints for each perspective are additive; those of a lower row are added to those of the rows above to provide a growing number of restrictions. The columns represent different abstractions in an effort to reduce the complexity of any single model that is built. The columns have no order. The model in each column must be unique. Each row represents a unique perspective. Each cell is unique. The inherent logic is recursive. The framework has been applied in Global 2000 organizations* such as Volkswagen Boeing Sprint Swisscom Mobile Bank of America Health Canada Allstate Insurance Federal Express Johnson & Johnson NCR Corp Glaxo SmithKline Volkswagen General Motors Canadian Imperial bank of Commerce note-* based on public domain information