The CAUDIT Higher Education Reference Models provide standardised business and data architectures that communicate a generalised view of how higher education institutions are organised and the information they use.
Version 1 of these models was launched in 2016, following the generous agreement between FromHereOn (FHO) and CAUDIT, following FHO's consulting engagements with fifteen universities over seven years. Read the media release here.
These resources can be used in a variety of ways, such as a starter kit to accelerate an institution's business and data architecture, a reference point to explore commonalities and differentiators for the institution, and a communication tool to engage stakeholders.
The CAUDIT Higher Education Reference Models help members to:
- increase the value and efficiency of their architecture teams
- describe a 'whole of institution' view to colleagues within their institution
- facilitate the exchange of architectural knowledge and good practice in the sector
- support interoperability and collaboration between member organisations
- improve engagement with industry in major projects and initiatives
The CAUDIT Enterprise Architecture Community of Practice is responsible for the curation of the Higher Education Reference models, and launched Version 2 of the Business Reference Model in May 2019. Version 2.5.0 was launched in October 2020, and is a consolidated refresh of both the Data Reference Model and the Business Reference Model.
License and Usage
You are free to reproduce, customise, and share, in whole or part, the artifacts published here under this licence.
By downloading this material you are agreeing:
- to make any modifications available for consideration to include in future versions of the CAUDIT Higher Education Reference Models
- to attribute CAUDIT in any material produced from these artifacts
- acknowledge CAUDIT in any presentations of work based on these artifacts
- to share the material published here, or any derivatives you produce, under the same conditions
The CAUDIT Higher Education Reference Models
The reference models published here are provided in formats that will allow them to be loaded into common modelling and repository tools.
Business Reference Model
The CAUDIT Higher Education Business Reference Model describes a standard set of business architecture elements relevant to higher education. It can be used by business stakeholders, enterprise architects and technology strategists to discuss the effectiveness of the organisation, its needs and challenges.
Artefacts
ID | Name | Description | Format |
B1 | Model |
The visual representation of the CAUDIT Higher Education Business Reference Model. It shows value chains for higher education, and the business capabilities that enable them. |
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B2 | Catalogue |
The catalogue lists and describes the business capabilities identified in the CAUDIT Higher Education Business Reference Model. |
XLSX |
B3 | Change Log |
The change log identifies all significant changes made in the latest version to the business capabilities of the CAUDIT Higher Education Business Reference Model. The change highlights are also shown on the accompanying model. |
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B4 | Archimate (Beta) |
The Archimate Beta is the CAUDIT Higher Education Business Reference Model in Archimate format. This is a Beta release and has not undergone significant testing, and has been released in acknowledgment that there are members in the community who would benefit from having this model in Archimate. |
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B5 | Visio (Beta) | The Visio Beta is the CAUDIT Higher Education Business Reference Model in Archimate format. This is a Beta release and has not undergone significant testing, and has been released in acknowledgment that there are members in the community who would benefit from having this model in Visio. | Within Zip File |
Data Reference Model
The CAUDIT Higher Education Enterprise Architecture Data Reference Model describes a standard set of conceptual data architecture elements relevant to higher education. It provides a common language for business stakeholders, enterprise architects and technology strategists to communicate clearly.
Artefacts
ID | Name | Description | Format |
D1 | Model | The visual representation of the CAUDIT Higher Education Data Reference Model. It defines the primary data entities used in higher education, grouped into topics. | |
D2 | Catalogue | The catalogue lists the topics and describes the data entities defined by the CAUDIT Higher Education Data Reference Model. | XLSX |
D3 | Change Log | The change log identifies all significant changes made in the latest version to topics and data entities of the CAUDIT Higher Education Data Reference Model. | XLSX |
D4 | Archimate (Beta) | The Archimate Beta is the CAUDIT Higher Education Data Reference Model in Archimate format. This is a Beta release and has not undergone significant testing, and has been released in acknowledgment that there are members in the community who would benefit from having this model in Archimate. | Within Zip File |
D5 | Visio (Beta) | The Visio Beta is the CAUDIT Higher Education Data Reference Model in Archimate format. This is a Beta release and has not undergone significant testing, and has been released in acknowledgment that there are members in the community who would benefit from having this model in Visio. | Within Zip File |
Community Involvement
The ongoing development and enhancement of the CAUDIT Higher Education Reference Models is community-driven, and all suggestions and feedback are warmly and always encouraged.
Queries about the CAUDIT Higher Education Reference Models can be directed to:
Nigel Foxwell James Cook University 07 4781 4464 nigel.foxwell@jcu.edu.au |
jeff kennedy The University of Auckland +64 21 446 049 jeff.kennedy@auckland.ac.nz |
Queries from representatives of overseas (i.e. non-CAUDIT member) higher education institutions can be directed to:
Anne Kealley |