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What is EA? Do we really need to answer this. Gartner,
Forrester, IBM, Microsoft and almost every consultant firm has their own
definition of EA. Let’s not put too much of interest needle into it but try to
sew the picture instead.
Why do we need EA? For a moment let
us assume there is no job function, no knowledge
area called EA. But there are problems, issues
and complexities which are surrounding IT. There are thousands of programming
languages which can run on hundreds of operating system and tens of platforms.
And there are many independent decision making authority in an organization |
Enterprise. They advice on all kind of applications build on permutations and
combinations of platforms, languages and operating systems.
The result:
chaos and complexity due to redundancy and rigidity.
 
The new problem statement is overcoming redundancy and rigidity.
Based on the operating model of Business | Enterprise the
redundancy can come in form of.
- Same core Process implemented via different applications in geographically
separated business [Local] units
- Same Services [Non – Core processes] executed in different business or
geographically separated [Local] units
- Existence of similar products under different name in geographically
separated [Local] units
Also the rigidity can come in form of
- Different systems and process which are introduced into the enterprise
because of inorganic growth like mergers and acquisitions. These systems are
difficult to integrate.
- Application and systems based on different platforms and languages.
- Legacy systems and applications.
How can we overcome these two factors? Who will do this? What skill sets are
required?
next logical step would be to identify the activities needed to
overcome:
- Centralised requirement control on systems, applications and infrastructures
need.
- Identification of best possible solutions* for core processes and services
for present and future need.
solutions*: can be off the shelf, new product development.
Next would be to identify the skill sets needed.
- Understanding of core Business processes.
- Understanding of Support services.
- Understanding of Technologies.
- Understanding of Infrastructure.
- Strong communication and planning skills
- Market research.
These are broad level skill sets. But they are also very diverse set of
skills. Finding one person for these skills is difficult. So it has to be a team
work. A Group, which has all the skills needed to align the IT
with the Business. The group is an independent group with business and IT
skills.
Need has evolved a new group. Need to effectively and efficiently support and stabilize the business with IT.
Can this group deliver more? Yes, with knowledge
repositories and understanding of Business and IT together they can evolve
themselves in creating businesses which can leverage the existing
infrastructure, services, products, customers and so on. Does it sounds like business strategy consultation!
Reporting: The group should report to CTO/CIO || CEO || CFO?
I believe it has to report to CEO, with internal customers as line of business
managers, service managers and IT managers, the group stake is distributed in
the whole enterprise. And there would be no doubt if the group create a business
strategy capabilities.
The group can be called as Enterprise architecture group.
EA Definition:
EA is a continuous process which align
IT with Business for the purpose of supporting, growing and stabilizing
business. [ThakurSahib.com]
Note: The two EA activities listed above + business strategy consultation can
be re organised into ten core EA activities.
- Technology Blueprinting
- Innovation
- Project Architecture Delivery
- Shared Services Architecture and Development
- Standards and Patterns
- Technology Renewal
- Architecture Governance
- Training and Architecture Skill Development
- Metrics and Communication
- Repository and Knowledge Management
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