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Information technology architecture
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<p>Information technology (IT) architecture is the process of development of methodical <a href="/facts/Information_technology/glMzunwe">information technology</a> specifications, models and guidelines, using a variety of information technology notations, for example <a href="/facts/Unified_Modeling_Language/3tlNS0tH">Unified Modeling Language</a> (UML), within a coherent information technology <a href="/facts/Architecture_framework/61nbJQP0">architecture framework</a>, following formal and informal information technology solution, enterprise, and infrastructure architecture processes. These processes have been developed in the past few decades in response to the requirement for a coherent, consistent approach to delivery of information technology capabilities. They have been developed by information technology product vendors and independent consultancies, such as for example the <a href="/facts/The_Open_Group/uRoDdEae">Open Group</a>, based on real experiences in the information technology marketplace and collaboration amongst industry stakeholders. Best practice information technology architecture encourages the use of open technology standards and global technology <a href="/facts/Interoperability/7WgqUbXU">interoperability</a>. Information technology architecture can also be called a high-level map or plan of the information assets in an organization, including the physical design of the building that holds the hardware. </p><p><a href="/facts/Grady_Booch/RzM2Yvkp">Grady Booch</a>, <a href="/facts/Ivar_Jacobson/R5a6NLqf">Ivar Jacobson</a>, and <a href="/facts/James_Rumbaugh/oGGKmyrG">James Rumbaugh</a> are accredited with developing the first <a href="/facts/Unified_Modeling_Language/3tlNS0tH">Unified Modeling Language</a> (UML), a widely used technology <a href="/facts/Modeling_language/9Nm6YLcR">modeling language</a>. </p><p><a href="/facts/IBM/QszA7nwd">IBM</a> was an early developer of formal solution and infrastructure architecture methodologies for information technology. </p>