ARCHITECTURE
Architecture is an art and a science originally focused on the design of buildings. Enterprise architecture (EA) applies the same principles to design the optimum structure and operation of an enterprise to achieve its objectives. It is therefore closely linked to strategy, and provides a blueprint of how to move from the current state to the desired state. EA however did not really grow out of traditional architecture thinking but rather from the design of information systems. Unfortunately as a result most EA functions are within the IT department and are often too technology focused and low level.
The art of of a good architect is an ability to help shape a vision, and craft a way of designing a solution that delivers the desired outcome and value. It requires a strategic top down perspective and a methodical approach to modeling potential designs using where possible ready to go building blocks. Integrity of the design is also very important to avoid hidden surprises during actual construction. In the modern enterprise, technology enables every aspect of the business operation and is integral to strategic planning. Architecture therefore needs to part of the enterprise strategic planning function integrating technology solutions with changing organisation structures and re-designed business processes.
Like most best practices, EA disciplines and techniques have only been learned by the architecture experts and often not communicated effectively to the rest of management. In reality the majority of EA initiatives have failed to deliver useful results due to a disconnect between functional silos and misunderstanding and miscommunications.
In the modern enterprise, there is a need for an effective business-driven enterprise architecture approach that is easily understood by decision makers. We believe there has never been a more important time for business leaders to focus on how strategy can be executed and the need to manage information within the business. The future business models connect directly with customers and are supported by a network of strategic partners collaborating and sharing information to deliver business value.
Our approach is therefore based on guiding a business-oriented Architecture capability as a shared service supporting enterprise strategic planning. We focus on training and guiding management in general and creating technical expertise that supports these goals in the modern enterprise.
We encourage use of architecture tools to facilitate the creation and easy maintenance of models that describe how the enterprise currently functions and what needs to change to achieve the new vision. The design models cover business process, information, technology, and organisational structures. As such they not only helps to visualise current and future business models at a high level “canvas” view but serves as a growing knowledge base of all the details below. This helps to overcome the age-old challenge of documentation, replacing manuals and diagrams with an integrated and dynamic toolkit able to publish views from any angle with full integrity and control of the content.
Our approach is aligned with the Business Architecture Guild and the Business Architecture Body of Knowledge® (BIZBOK® Guide) 6.0
Our workshops cover:
Business Architecture Blueprints
• Capability Mapping
• Organization Mapping
• Value Mapping
• Information Mapping
• Stakeholder Mapping
Business Architecture Practice Guide
• Common Approaches for Getting Started
• Business Architecture Governance
• Business Architecture and Business Models
• Business Architecture and Requirements Alignment
Business Architecture and IT Architecture Alignment
• Business Information and IT Architecture Alignment
• Business Architecture and Agile
• Capability and Application Portfolio Management
• Business Architecture and Solution Architecture