Overview
The concept of enterprise architecture is the business layer, or the ‘big picture’, which gives organisations the ability to analyze their existing state, create a strategy for growth, and develop solutions for improving business performance. It involves mapping out the blueprint of an organization, from its technology and data layer, to its applications and people. Understanding this model is critical for organizations who want to understand their capabilities, capitalize on opportunities and navigate change.
Benefits
Enterprise architecture covers a wide range of elements that are essential for a profitable and efficient company-wide service. It helps companies to identify, assess and manage operational risks, and can equip IT departments with the right tools and resources to meet customer and business needs. Having a comprehensive and up-to-date EA allows organisations to transition their businesses and meet objectives quickly, while reducing costs and gaining a competitive advantage.
Architecture Framework
When creating an architecture framework, companies should include the four common layers found in most frameworks: the Business Architecture, the Data Architecture, the Application Architecture and the Technology Architecture. The Business Architecture layer is where organisational objectives and strategies are defined, while the Data Architecture layer captures the data needed to support business operations. The Application Architecture layer bridges the gap between the data and business layers by determining which applications are necessary to fulfil business requirements. Finally, the Technology Architecture layer incorporates the hardware and software infrastructure needed to support these applications.
Information Included
An EA should include all the critical information about an organisation’s IT infrastructure. This includes the organisation’s current state, its IT roadmap and strategies, project objectives and timelines, technology investments and service/mission lifecycles. It should provide a 360 degree view of the organisation, including its systems and processes. Additionally it should contain detailed information on core systems and applications, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM). Lastly, it should incorporate insights into the organisation’s service portfolio and compliance with industry regulations.
Data Needed
In order to build an effective EA, organisations need to acquire relevant data and insights. This includes both an internal and external market study, where information is collected on the organisation’s current state and its competitors’ strategies. Additionally, company stakeholders should be consulted on their requirements and the necessary resources should be identified.
Experts’ Views
According to experts, enterprise architecture is critical for organizations to stay competitive in the market. EA specialists focus on driving ‘change through better business models,’, and it’s the bestreward when a project is completed successfully. By providing a ‘clear vision of the organizations processes and systems,’ EA also helps increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Expertise Needed
Developing an EA requires a combination of technical and managerial expertise. Professionals should have a broad understanding of the organisation and the different technologies required to support it, knowledge of business processes and systems, IT solutions and applications, Big Data analytics and sustainability. Additionally, they should have the ability to relate the architecture pieces together to create a holistic strategy.
Service Reviews
When considering the potential providers of the EA service, organisations will need to ensure that they have the necessary skills and experience. When reviewing their choices, organisations should look for experienced practitioners who can provide a comprehensive strategic analysis and offer innovative solutions for a successful outcome.
Design & Development
Once an organisation has created their EA, they need to design and develop it. This involves building a prototype to assess the design, before developing the architecture with an eye on the long-term objectives. As part of this process, EA should consider the impact on the organisation’s IT infrastructure, the viability of any proposed solutions, and the resources needed to implement them.
Testing & Implementation
Once the architecture has been designed and developed, organisations need to test their EA before implementing it. The testing process ensures that the design meets the specified criteria, and any errors or inconsistencies are identified. Following full validation, organisations will need to work with their IT teams to ensure that the architecture is properly implemented.
Security & Maintenance
Security and maintenance are critical components of any successful EA, and organisations should ensure that their systems are secure and up-to-date at all times. Companies should regularly monitor and test their architecture for potential risks, and use automated monitoring tools and proactive patching to protect against any potential security breaches. Additionally, organisations should have a backup system in place that ensures resilience in the event of any system failures or outages.
Costs & Finances
The costs associated with implementing and maintaining an architectured system will vary depending on its complexity and the personnel needed to support it. Organisations should carefully consider both capex (capital expenditure) and opex (operational expenditure) costs when assessing the financial feasibility of their enterprise architecture. Additionally, organisations should factor in any ongoing costs relating to training, promotion, compliance and licenses.
Data & Quality
Data and quality should be among the top priorities when considering the implementation of an EA. High-quality data will drive better business decisions and provide insights into customer behaviours, market trends and operational processes. To ensure the accuracy of this data, organisations should have clearly defined principles, protocols and processes for collecting, storing and analysing it.
Governance & Teamwork
Having a well-defined governance structure is essential for the successful implementation of an EA. Individuals and teams should be assigned specific roles and responsibilities to ensure that all tasks are carried out in a timely and efficient manner. Teams should have regular meetings and communication to ensure that the objectives of the organisation are met.
Tools & Resources
When creating and implementing an enterprise architecture, organisations need to consider the right tools and resources. These tools and resources can range from mapping applications and process management suites to business process modelling (BPM) and data science platforms. Appropriate resources should be identified according to the architecture needs of the organisation, and integrated to ensure a successful outcome.
