Getting Started Guide
The Orthogramic Metamodel provides a structured, consistent way to describe how an organisation operates, delivers value, and responds to change. It formalises the core concepts of business architecture—such as capabilities, value streams, stakeholders, information, and strategic initiatives—into a digital, schema-driven format designed for clarity, reuse, and integration.
Whether you are new to business architecture or already familiar with frameworks like BIZBOK, the Orthogramic Metamodel offers a practical and scalable way to model your organisation. It supports better decision-making, clearer governance, and stronger alignment between strategy and operations.
Choose Your Path
Select a resource that matches your background and goals:
The Model at a Glance
Provides a high-level overview of the Orthogramic Metamodel, showing how its domains fit together to describe an organisation's structure and strategy.
New to Business Architecture
A tailored introduction for users without prior experience in business architecture, explaining key concepts and how Orthogramic simplifies adoption.
Familiar with BIZBOK
Guides experienced practitioners in understanding how Orthogramic differs from and extends BIZBOK, with emphasis on digital structure and integration.
Getting Started by Problem Examples
Offers practical entry points based on common organisational challenges, helping you apply the model directly to your situation.
Intro to Business Architecture Terms
Defines the core terminology used throughout the Orthogramic Metamodel in accessible language, supporting clearer communication and understanding.
Getting Started Worksheet
A downloadable worksheet designed to help teams map their current state and begin documenting their business architecture using the Orthogramic approach.
Quick Start: 5 Steps
- Choose your first domain — Capabilities, Organization, or Stakeholder are good entry points
- Use the schema templates to structure your descriptions consistently
- Model relationships between domains to gain insights into alignment and dependencies
- Share with others to get feedback and build shared understanding
- Use the data for reviews, planning, performance tracking, or integration with tools
The Orthogramic Metamodel uses JSON Schema (Draft-07) for all domain definitions. This means you can validate, transform, and integrate metamodel data using standard tools like ajv, jsonschema, or any JSON Schema-compatible validator.
# Example: Validate a capability definition
ajv validate -s capability.schema.json -d my-capability.json
Core Domains Overview
| Domain | What it Describes | Start Here If... |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy | Goals, priorities, and strategic drivers | You need to align initiatives with objectives |
| Capabilities | What the organisation can do | You want to clarify ownership and investment |
| Value Streams | End-to-end value delivery flows | You need to understand cross-functional work |
| Organization | Structure, units, and roles | You're mapping accountability |
| Initiatives | Programs and projects | You're rationalizing your portfolio |
| Information | Data assets and governance | You're implementing data management |
| Policy | Rules and compliance | You're embedding governance |
| Stakeholders | People with interest or influence | You're managing engagement |
| Performance | KPIs and metrics | You're tracking outcomes |
What's Next?
Once you've chosen your starting point:
- Explore the domain documentation — Each domain has detailed attribute definitions, examples, and schema references
- Review the extensions — Domain Relationships and the Strategic Response Model add powerful capabilities
- Consider integration — See how to connect with OpenMetadata or other platforms
Ready to begin? Pick your path above, or jump straight to the Domains to start exploring.