Richard Winnik, Director of Professional Services, MEGA North America - ©MEGA May 2012

5 Keys to Agile EA

Consulting Best Practices

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

Agile EAEnterprise Architecture can be defined as the blueprint to describe a company’s structure and operations that helps to drive change within the organization, both today and in the future.

This being said, Agile EA is

an efficient, effective, economical and adaptable EA. It allows the organizations to realize a return on their investment in EA.

Agile EA is easily adapted to your environment and priorities, resulting in business value for your organization.

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

5 Keys to Agile EA1. Goals

Make sure your EA can provide answers to the questions that the stakeholders are going to ask

2. Framework The ability to adapt a framework to the reality of your project and your objectives will allow you to easily craft your EA to fit your requirements

3. Visualization Each adaptation of EA should reflect the specific character of the organization to maximize agility

4. Repository Utilization of centralized data allows you to manage relationships and share descriptions between stakeholders in the most efficient manner possible

5. Governance Implement a well-managed governance structure to support a targeted state of behavior within the organization

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

1st Key: Goals – Keep the goals in mind as

you move through your EA initiatives

– Define the future state of your EA

Make sure your EA can provide answers to the questions that stakeholders are going to ask.

– Your EA is evolutionary, not revolutionary… this is a journey where things will change over time

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

Integrate the corporate strategy as a key reference for your architecture.

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

Provide reports and graphics that support decision-making.

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

2nd Key: Framework – Standard frameworks

provide a reference model to begin. They don’t necessarily correspond to your environment

– Don’t feel you have to conform to any one framework

– Find frameworks that have elements that correspond to your organization’s EA needs, then take the best of each to create an integrated and customized framework

The ability to adapt a framework to your organization’s project requirements and objectives will allow you to craft your EA to meet your needs, immediate and long-term.

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

Integrating multiple EA frameworks as a unique perspective provides a better fit with an organization’s specific requirements.

NAF TOGAF DoDAF2.0

FEAF My Frameworks

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

3rd Key: VisualizationEach adaptation of EA should reflect the specific character of the organization to maximize agility.

– Communicate, communicate, communicate. The visualization of your enterprise architecture has to be adapted to the specific needs of each stakeholder - Business owners are not

at ease with technical descriptions or diagrams. They need a concrete view on their business and processes

- Decision-makers are willing to commit time to viewing dashboards and relevant reports to help manage their operations

– The ability to adapt to the variety of stakeholders in your organization is key to speeding the adoption of your enterprise architecture internally

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

The ability to analyze enterprise architecture information from the stakeholder’s perspective is key to supporting decision-making.

EA Stakeholders

CoordinationCollaboration

Communication

Enterprise Architect

BusinessUser

ApplicationArchitect

IT InfratructureManagement

IT PlanningLeader

BusinessProcessAnalysis

IT Planning

TechnologyInfrastructureManagement

IT SystemAnalysis

and Design

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

The ability to produce effective and informative reports is essential for the success of your initiative.

Presentation – Adapt the outputs to the needs of each

stakeholdersInside EAM

– Consolidate information – Automate the production of outputs

from a single source

Plans

Maps

Charts

Matrix

Analysis

Reports

Diagrams

Spreadsheet Document

Infrastructure

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

4th Key: RepositoryUtilization of centralized data allows for managing relationships and sharing descriptions between stakeholders in the most efficient manner possible.

– To depict the blueprint that defines the structure and operations of your organization, you need to define: - The structure of your

organization and its assets (business functions, IT, etc.)

- How it operates today (business processes, IT systems, etc.)

– The relationships between all these objects are numerous; storing your data in a centralized repository supported by a robust metamodel ensures the management of all relationships between components and facilitates easy sharing of all descriptions within your organization

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

A repository-based tool provides a metadata view of EA artifacts.

Business Architecture

IT Architecture

InformationStrategy & objectivesCapabilitiesBusiness functionsBusiness processes

Business vocabulary

ApplicationsServicesTechnology

Enterprise Architecture Blueprint

Data

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

Storing information in a common repository provides a single source for all elements to be shared.

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

5th Key: GovernanceImplement a well-managed governance structure.

– When establishing a governance structure, develop the means and measures that support a targeted state of behavior. Think of what you want to happen and then build the process to lead in that direction

– Keep in mind, too granular a model requires enormous resources to maintain; too abstract results in an emaciated process that doesn’t add the necessary benefits

– Remember, having an Agile EA means having one that is efficient, effective, economical and adaptable. Well-managed governance helps you to maintain these qualities

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

Implementing operational governance will help you maximize performance while reducing risks.

Stakeholders

Market Rules

Employees, Suppliers, Customers, Third Parties

Competitors,Globalization

Legislations,Industry standard

regulations,Corporate policiesand procedures

Corporate Governance System

Risk

Performance

©M

EG

A M

ay 2

012

As a summary:5 Keys to Agile EA1. Goals

Make sure your EA can provide answers to the questions that the stakeholders are going to ask

2. Framework The ability to adapt a framework to the reality of your project and your objectives will allow you to easily craft your EA to fit your requirements

3. Visualization Each adaptation of EA should reflect the specific character of the organization to maximize agility

4. Repository Utilization of centralized data allows you to manage relationships and share descriptions between stakeholders in the most efficient manner possible

5. Governance Implement a well-managed governance structure to support a targeted state of behavior within the organization

©MEGA May 2012

For more information about our enterprise architecture solutions:www.mega.com - @mega_int