What is Enterprise Architecture?

Hello,

Due to the confusion which the term 'Enterprise Architecture' seems to reflect, attempting to articulate a precise definition could be challenging. Here my effort will be to gain some clarity at a simplistic level.

In essence, the scope of Enterprise Architecture can be gathered thru the acronym 'BAIT' as follows:

1. Business Architecture (business processes, perspective, plans, drivers etc)
2. Applications Architecture (applications development and management standards)
3. Information Architecture (structure, assets, relationships)
4. Technology Architecture (IT infrastructure standards including hardware, software etc)
   

The distinction therefore, between Enterprise Architecture (EA) and IT Architecture is that EA includes all 4 elements above. The focus of IT architecture however, is restricted to the applications, information and technology areas (excluding the business architecture).

EA hence documents the relationship between these 4 layers & with the external environment (e.g. customers, stakeholders, regulatory compliance requirements etc).

Enterprise Architecture provides a model in order to:

1. Capture the current state architecture
2. Capture the desired future state architecture
3. Develop an actionable roadmap to make the transition to the desired state architecture (achieved thru a governance process)

Enterprise Architecture defines Principles which are high level statements defining how IT will be used to support and be aligned with the business.

In brief, Enterprise Architecture provides a top-down approach, starting with the organisation's Business Strategy, then studying the IT Strategy. Models such as TOGAF [1] or Zachman [2] are used to capture the architecture.

To gain tangible benefit, a roadmap of initiatives/projects is developed to progress the organisation from the current state to desired state. Once executed, the result will be an organisation more effectively managed, better aligned and more agile.

This could be a somewhat simplified description considering the wide-reach of Enterprise Architecture and its interfaces across the business (e.g. with IT Investment planning, Project Management etc), however it suffices as a simple description allowing the reader to gain clarity on understanding one of IT's most challenges areas.

Enterprise architecture helps to close the gap between IT and the business at all levels. It takes a 360 degree view by gaining an intimate understanding of the business and how technology supports existing and future requirements.

References:
[1] http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/
[2] http://www.zifa.com/framework.html

Does your organisation have an IT Strategy Officer?

Hello,

Organisations have historically had CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, COOs and so on, each of these roles fulfilling a distinct area of responsibility.

The increasing trend of the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) role however, indicates the growing importance and challenge of executing successful strategies in today's complex, and rapidly changing technical and business environments.

The McKinsey article 'How chief strategy officers think about their role: A roundtable' by Renée Dye [1] raises some beneficial observations from the inside.

It would not be surprising to observe further predominance of, for want of a better title, the IT Strategy Officer (ITSO). This function would be responsible for supporting the CIO for the IT-strategy related arena, just as the CSO supports the CEO for the corporate planning arena.

Reference:
[1] http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/How_chief_strategy_officers_think_about_their_role_A_roundtable_2143

Myths of the CMDB...

Hello,

All the more for organisations starting out with implementing ITIL, there can understandably be some level of confusion surrounding the CMDB (Configuration Management Database) due to it's seemingly mysterious pervasiveness in supporting ITIL processes and functions.

The 'Myths of the CMDB' article by Michele Hudnall addresses some of the more common misconceptions encountered [1] along with some valuable insight.

ITIL v3 it must be said, has made endevours to extend the CMDB from what was considered ultimately a 'database' modelling the IT infrastructure, holding details of Configuration Items (CIs) thru their lifecycle, into a powerful resource more business aligned and focused. [2]

The transition to a CMS in brief encompasses the following updates:

• The CMDB was understood by many to be a single database incorporating all information possible on your IT infrastructure along with their inter-relationships; the CMS provides clearer guidance by introducing 4 layers each with it's own perspective or view of the IT infrastructure. This makes for easier comprehension and implementation.
• The CMS scope is wider than being an information repository; it includes the database part along with a tool & will provide a federated view linking all CMDB information.
• The CMS information extends to include details on customers, users, business units etc.
• The CMS concept recognises the need in some organisations for multiple physical CMDBs, but ensures the top layer (the Presentation Layer) provides a unified view showing respective layers of complexity as one drills down.
• The CMS is referred to and used by all of the IT Service Management processes

In summary, the CMS builds upon CMDB principles to reduce the scope for confusion thru a more structured and prescriptive approach to modelling and managing your IT infrastructure.

Reference(s):
[1] http://datacenterjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1477&Itemid=40
[2] http://community.ca.com/blogs/itil/archive/2007/10/26/promoting-the-cmdb-to-cms.aspx

Indices help comprehend IT adoption capability...

Hello,

A trusted source of information for measuring a country's ability to adopt and effectively benefit from their IT investment is the EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) annual e-readiness ranking.

Written in conjunction with the IBM Institute for Business Value, it's input is taken from a number of sources including Pyramid Research, the World Bank and World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).

The report evaluation and ranking methdology has been updated for 2007 reflecting gobal changes such as increased penetration of affordable internet, the maturity of respective e-Government efforts and consumer utilisation of technology.

The report highlights a number of key findings which can provide a beneficial perspective on business opportunities and risks.

References:
[1] http://www.eiu.com/site_info.asp?info_name=eiu_2007_e_readiness_rankings&rf=0
Also at: http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ideasfromibm/us/ereadiness/071607/index.shtml

How can we do more to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology?

Hello,

There has been much talk about an increasing IT skills shortage which unless if addressed, could have serious impact on the industry overall. Considering the UK for example, the CBI has predicted we'll need 730, 000 more graduates to meet the expected demand. [1]

Relevant somewhat to the same theme, Bill Gates asked the following question on his blog:

'How can we do more to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology?'

Over 3, 500 people have replied to date! A number of the replies make interesting reading and highlight the Internet's capability to support knowledge sharing in today's connected economy [2]

References:
[1] http://www.itweek.co.uk/2214524
[2] http://www.linkedin.com/answers/technology/information-technology/computers-software/TCH_ITS_CMP/179866-21879399

What goes into an 'IT Strategic Plan' (high-level)?

Hello,

If you're starting out with developing an IT Strategic Plan & are looking for simple guidance to get started, I would recommend the following to get things moving:

'Anatomy of an IT Strategic Plan' by Stephanie Overby; this is available from the following link:

http://www.cio.com/article/174253/Anatomy_of_an_IT_Strategic_Plan

Regards,

Musab Qureshi

ITIL v3 adoption slow, but picking up...

Hello,

• ITIL v3 adoption it seems, isn't a top priority for IT shops in 2008; two-thirds of UK IT Managers aren't prepared for the challenge [1]


• According to the IDC, majority of companies aren't rushing to implement ITIL v3 [2]

ITIL v3 can definately give you the edge so it's worth getting acquainted with it, but for deep-diving with the implementation, it's worth seeing how people are faring with their implementations & then to benefit from their experiences.

References:

[1] http://www.computerworlduk.com/management/it-business/it-department/news/index.cfm?newsid=6150

[2] http://www.computerworlduk.com/management/it-business/it-organisation/news/index.cfm?newsid=6594

IT Service Catalogue Guidelines...

Hello,

Back in 2005, I published simple yet effective guidelines for developing your own IT Service Catalogue from scratch. These were hosted for over a year on the EMA community portal (SLMINFO.com) before it's retirement.

Due to a great number of people requesting this, I've re-uploaded the document; you can get it from the following link; click here.

An alternative link is:

http://ia600703.us.archive.org/35/items/ItServiceCatalogueToolkit/IT_Service_Catalogue_Guidelines.pdf

Please do send me your feedback (mailto:musabqureshi4@yahoo.co.uk) on this document & your experiences in developing service catalogues.

The IT Management Blog - Welcome!

Hello,

Welcome to the IT Management Blog!

Here you'll find a somewhat random collection of interesting posts from the intriguing world of IT Management.

My domains of expertise are IT Strategy and IT Service Management; do check back for beneficial information & links to assist with your IT Management efforts.

Your comments & feedback are always welcome, my email is: musabqureshi4@yahoo.co.uk

Musab Q.