Target architecture: Overcoming barriers to effective Enterprise Architecture

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Target Architecture Don’t be afraid to describe a Target

Overcoming Barriers to effec1ve Enterprise Architecture

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Dave Hornford Senior Partner, Architecture Consultant Chair Open Group Architecture Forum

SABSA Integration / SOA/TOGAF Practical Guide

Spring 2011 Target Architecture www.conexiam.com

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Reality check We talk a good game

•  How many of us play to win?

•  How many are barriers to success?


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The common litany

"   They don’t engage

"   What is the value

"   Its more than technology

"   EA with “teeth”

"   If only…


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Whose problem are we solving? •  One seen & felt by the operating units of the business •  One part of an IS/IT’s agenda


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Successful EA teams

Closely aligned to strategy

Clear objectives

Deliver up

Execute


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When are you in the game

"   Does this look familiar?

"   Starting at Planning & Design – that dog won’t hunt Solution Architecture can be useful "   Is it Architecture or Design?

"   Who approved the “Architecture”

"   You will never have a Target Spring 2011 Target Architecture www.conexiam.com

If the horse already left the barn, and it’s after 1908, maybe just get a car

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Path to effectiveness: Support Decision Making

"   Target architecture "   What “system” describes the

state preferred by the stakeholders

"   Roadmap "   What change will it take to

realize the target


"   Tests "   Closely aligned to strategy

"   Clear objectives

"   Deliver up

"   Execute

Chance favors only the prepared mind - Pythagoras

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Who are the stakeholders?

"   What “system” describes the state preferred by the stakeholders

"   The usual suspects "   An IT agenda?

"   The “project” sponsor

"   Stakeholders of the Target


“In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane” - Oscar Wilde

High Power Defend Against Most Critical

Low Power Monitor & Ignore Watch closely

Low Importance High Importance

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What do they want?

"   What is the corporate, divisional, departmental, person objective? " encana è encana + cenovus WestJet’s code-sharing

"   Devon’s Jackfish SmartBoard

"   AMEX USN’s FACE (Future Avionic Capability Enhancement)


Keep Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in mind

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Significant Barrier Untested ground

Outside of our comfort zone

Requires “doing Architecture”

Requires engaging with “the business”

Different deliverable


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Engaging with “the business” Requires re-alignment to “the business’ objectives” Requires identifying a Target & developing a Roadmap


The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist - Eric Hoffer

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Target & Roadmap

"   Effectiveness Warning "   Once you start you cannot stop

“The day a decision must be made a leadership team will make the decision with the information available” EVP of Important Things

"   Use the tools we talk about "   Break-down the Strategy

"   Understand the Motivation "   Suspect the ruts

"   Know the stakeholders

"   Understand “the system”

"   Describe a future Target Architecture

"   Develop a Roadmap


You never have enough time / You never have enough information / You never have enough resources - You must deliver

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Communicate & Validate "   EA Theory says

"   “Confirm with stakeholders”

"   Reality tends to be messier "   To start you are Leading "   Leadership & change require

communication

"   Methods "   Meet "   Present "   Test projects & initiatives "   Revise "   Repeat, repeat & keep repeating


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Communication Skills


David Jackson, Communication & Soft-skills for Architects - http://www.fowlerlake.com

"   Recurrent barrier "   Speaking in your language "   Speaking in no language

"   Doesn’t mean “speak business”

"   Doesn’t mean “dumb down”

"   Does mean “speak a common language” "   Can’t talk about planes without

using specific language "   Can talk about a Spitfire without

looking at the blueprints, Pilot Handbook and mission planning handbook

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Conclusion

Don’t create barriers

Do architecture

Constantly communicate


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Questions & Discussion


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conexiam solutions Focused consulting We specialize in enterprise architecture - assisting organizations develop an effective focused architecture discipline while also assisting architecture disciplines develop an effective knowledge management capability


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IP Notice

"   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ca/

"   Graphic images are not included in the license and may not be reproduced outside this work

"   Originally delivered at the Calgary Enterprise Architecture Forum (CEAF) " http://www.enterprisearchitecture.ca


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Graphics "  All graphics not noted – iStockphoto

http://www.istockphoto.com

"  Stakeholder Drawing – Shift & Share: Collaboration Blog http://shiftandshare.com/

"  Stakeholder Venn – Change Management Toolbook http://www.change-management-toolbook.com

"  L-39 Landing – Vjazma “PYCb” Aerobatic squadron http://www.vyazmarus.com/

"  Snowbirds – Canada Department of National Defence http://www.snowbirds.dnd.ca

"  Communications Tower & Dead-end Sign – FotoFree http://FotoFree.net

"  Communications Networks – Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net http://FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"  SABSA Business Attributes – SABSA http://www.sabsa.org/the-sabsa-method.aspx

"  Dave flying C-FUVZ – Rick Rivoire


Technology

Target architecture: Overcoming barriers to effective Enterprise Architecture