Enterprise Architecture as Strategy

Enterprise Architecture is a current buzz word in corporate IT. It is definitely more of a buzz word than a Buzz Word. There aren't many big vendors pushing extensive product ranges or launching new products every week. However it has the capability to transform companies and release massive value from IT.

The problem is that it is hard. Very hard. I've talked about it elsewhere on this site and there are a number of self-help groups appearing on the web (expect more soon).

When starting out on an EA, as it is known, programme good advice is hard to find, and when you do expect some fairly hefty day rates from your consultants. There are however some good sources available and one is Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution. It comes from the Harvard Business School with many references taken from MIT, so certainly has the right credentials. It is a business book, but still manages to stay acceptably reasonable. Above all it is credible. Reference after reference to real companies and real situations gives you the sense that the authors do know what they are talking about; and this is primary research, they did it themselves. This wasn't just a quick survey of 50 CIOs but serious, in depth research.

The conclusions are simple but impactful. The concepts around business architecture are incredibly powerful and help to bridge the gap between business strategy and something the IT Architects can get their teeth into.

Be warned, this is not a technology book. Don't expect anything on database design or firewall configuration. Although if you read this book and don't find it stimulating, then you probably aren't an Enterprise Architect. For that reason alone it is worth the time.