An enterprise architecture (30) for a business is divided into a business architecture (32), an information technology architecture (34), and an enterprise management framework (36). The business architecture (32) is the main driver for the information technology architecture (34) but the information technology architecture (34) can also have an impact on the construction of the business architecture (32). The enterprise management framework (36) allows for the management of the two architectures. A framework tower (500) is built around essential and mandatory components of the enterprise architecture (30). The framework tower (500) is made up of a plurality of planes representing mandatory components of the enterprise architecture (30). The components of the framework tower (500) include a strategic plan (41), a business architecture (42), an information architecture (44), an application architecture (46), a technology infrastructure architecture (48), and an enterprise information technology management framework (49). Each component in the framework tower (500) addresses the people, processes, and technology of the enterprise architecture (30) so that strategic information technology planning, enterprise architecture definition, and repeatable and effective information technology enabling solutions can be performed and delivered to the business.