Why Businesses Need Enterprise Architecture

 

http://www.business2community.com/strategy/why-businesses-need-enterprise-architecture-0432056

Over the past decade, rapid advancements in technology have revolutionised the way in which we conduct business. It’s modern day Darwinism, only on fast forward with a shot of adrenaline, adapt or die, and do it quickly. HMV’s recent collapse is a prime example of an organisation failing to adapt to technological advancements in the marketplace. As consumer demand for electronic goods, DVD’s and music transitioned from the high-street to .com; primarily driven by amazon, HMV failed to adapt its business model and subsequently paid the ultimate price.

In the modern age it is nearly impossible to predict how technology will influence the way we conduct business or consumer behaviour. Like the weather, we cannot accurately predict what will happen next week, let alone next year. Tomorrow could very well see the launch of a technology that would once again force us to adapt. For this very reason, we are beginning to see the emergence and growth of a field known as Enterprise Architecture.

Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Architects

There are varying definitions, but for me, Microsoft’s definition of Enterprise Architecture is the most robust and easy to understand:

“An enterprise architecture (EA) is a conceptual tool that assists organizations with the understanding of their own structure and the way they work. It provides a map of the enterprise and is a route planner for business and technology change.”

Enterprise architects are the practitioners of enterprise architecture. These individuals work with managers to understand the strategy, processes, information and information technology assets of a business. They then utilise this knowledge to ensure that business and IT are in alignment, helping to construct a conceptual bridge between the goals of a business and the new technologies that are appearing every day.

What makes a good Enterprise Architect?

Observation is one of the most important aspects for an enterprise architect. Through rigorous analysis, an enterprise architect can better understand the inner workings of a business. This understanding allows them to identify opportunities or weaknesses within the organisations process and strategy, thus implementing corrective measures.
This makes an organisation agile, better able to react and adapt to future technological advancements.

Aside from being observant, architects also need to be creative in their approach. There are many different things to consider when working with a corporation, and old habits do die hard sometimes. Progress sometimes means letting go of older methods and trying out new ones. Often, by knowing how the company operates, an enterprise architect can make sure that methods are employed which will help to change the company in the most positive way. Every company, like every person, is different. As a result, different methods are going to be used in numerous situations.

Enterprise Architecture Frameworks – TOGAF

Enterprise architecture is implemented using a framework, this framework defines how to structure the views associated with enterprise architecture. Most popular among the frameworks is TOGAF, first published in 1995, it was modelled on the US Department of Defense Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management (TAFIM), try saying that three times fast.

TOGAF divides an enterprise architecture into four categories, outlined in a recent comparison of the Top Four Enterprise-Architecture Methodologies:

Business architecture – the processes the business utilises to meet its set goals
Application architecture – describes how specific applications are designed and how they interact with each other
Data architecture – describes how the enterprise datastores are organized and accessed
Technical architecture – describes the hardware and software infrastructure that supports applications and their interactions

Now in it’s 9th version, TOGAF is the dominant framework for those practicing enterprise architecture. Aspiring architects seek training to gain their TOGAF certification in the pursuit of better employment prospects.

Looking forward

The internet has allowed organisations access to a global marketplace, and cloud technology looks set to drive businesses into a new avenue of change. As organisations look set to further adopt new forms of technology and align business goals accordingly, Enterprise architects look set to be a growing and important commodity in business world.

Are you ready?

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