Need of EA

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 combination’s 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.

1. Same core Process implemented via different applications in geographically separated business [Local] units
2. Same Services [Non – Core processes] executed in different business or geographically separated [Local] units
3. Existence of similar products under different name in geographically separated [Local] units

Also the rigidity can come in form of

1. Different systems and process which are introduced into the enterprise because of inorganic growth like mergers and acquisitions. These systems are difficult to integrate.
2. Application and systems based on different platforms and languages.
3. 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:

1. Centralised requirement control on systems, applications and infrastructures need.
2. 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.

1. Understanding of core Business processes.
2. Understanding of Support services.
3. Understanding of Technologies.
4. Understanding of Infrastructure.
5. Strong communication and planning skills
6. 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.

Note: The two EA activities listed above + business strategy consultation can be re organised into ten core EA activities.

1. Technology Blueprinting
2. Innovation
3. Project Architecture Delivery
4. Shared Services Architecture and Development
5. Standards and Patterns
6. Technology Renewal
7. Architecture Governance
8. Training and Architecture Skill Development
9. Metrics and Communication
10. Repository and Knowledge Management

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