Federal enterprise architecture is a Presidential initiative aimed at making the Federal government capable of handling challenges in the new information age. The initiative, headed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), proposes to change the governmental perspective to one that is citizen-centered, result-oriented, market-based and customer-focused through a new business-based framework called the Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA).

The development of this new model dates back to February 2002. The aim was to streamline the processes and combine the work across the agencies, according to the policies and programs of the Federal government. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is focused on helping agencies develop their enterprise architecture programs so that they can benefit from using EA as a strategic planning tool. OMB is striving to help agencies link departmental-level EA throughout their operations, so that its value is reflected in both internal operational decision-making and the identification of government-wide common solutions for improved service to citizens.

The OMB helps agencies develop their own enterprise architecture systems. OMB also assists agencies in linking departmental-level enterprise architecture. This aids in creating a value in internal decision-making, as well as the governmental solutions. Federal enterprise architecture also provides profiles that help agencies utilize resources, and adopt standards and the best practices.

Another feature is the CORE.gov, or the Component Organization and Registration Environment, which facilitates inter-agency cooperation, and the development of component-based applications. The information resources of the CORE.gov can be shared or reused by agencies to improve the IT investment portfolio. This resource is a registry that registers the processes, capabilities, practices or software the inter-agency or intra-agency teams have created, making use of the resources of the CORE.gov.

The Federal Enterprise Architecture Management System (FEAMS), an Internet-based enterprise architecture repository and analysis tool, is used for the maintenance of the Federal enterprise architecture. The FEA partners include the Chief Information Officers Council, the Chief Architects Forum and the Industry Advisory Council.