Enterprise Architecture
Align Policies and Standards Across CERN
Introduction
CERN’s scientific mission and operational excellence rely on a diverse and evolving digital ecosystem. This digital landscape spans multiple sectors, technologies and domains, supporting research, engineering, administration and infrastructure across the Organisation.
As computing systems grow in scale and complexity, ensuring that they integrate effectively and evolve sustainably requires shared principles and structured alignment. Without coordination, systems may diverge in ways that limit interoperability, fragment information landscapes and increase long-term operational complexity.
Enterprise Architecture provides a common framework to guide architectural decisions across CERN while preserving the autonomy and innovation of individual departments.
Our Purpose
Enterprise Architecture aims to establish a CERN-wide framework for architectural alignment and standards within which departments retain the freedom to innovate.
The objective is not centralisation of all decisions, but coherent of direction, shared principles and informed decision-making across the Organisation.
It provides the foundation for:
- Reuse of common platforms and shared services
- Interoperability and integration across systems
- Adoption of open standards and industry best practices
- Long-term sustainability and lifecycle thinking
- Transparency of architectural decisions and trade-offs
Scope
Enterprise Architecture spans all aspects of computing architecture across CERN, including business capabilities, applications and services, data architecture, technology platforms and integration patterns.
Architecture ownership remains close to delivery teams and domain experts. Enterprise Architecture ensures alignment and coherence at organisational level, supporting sustainable evolution of CERN’s digital landscape.
The Enterprise Architecture Board
The Enterprise Architecture Board provides a cross-organisational forum to guide architectural alignment and oversee matters with significant organisational impact.
Defines and communicates CERN-wide architectural principles and guidelines
Reviews major ICT initiatives, procurements and system changes with substantial architectural implications
Maintains visibility of cross-organisational architectural risks and proposes mitigation strategies
Encourages the adoption of common frameworks, tooling and methodologies
Facilitates the broader reuse of successful technologies and practices across sectors
Operating in a collaborative and consensus-driven manner, the Board strengthens coherence across CERN’s digital landscape while respecting domain ownership and expertise.
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