The EA Bike – A Connected Enterprise
Enterprise Architecture (EA) has evolved significantly over the last decade and now stands at a crossroads:
- On one side, there’s the traditional view—a “unicycle” focused solely on “strategy-to-execution” or “modelling the universe,” driven by a select group of specialists.
- On the other, a more modern approach views EA as a “tandem”—a collaborative effort where various people and departments work together, guiding the organisation forward. This latter path is the one we must embrace to succeed in today’s fast-evolving and complex digital landscape.
Using the analogy of a bicycle, EA is not a unicycle that narrowly focuses on “strategy to realisation” or “modelling the ocean.” That perspective would often lead to a trap for the Enterprise Architecture. Neither does it focus solely on the future or the present. While modelling remains a key ingredient, the EA bike has two wheels:
- One focused on the “to-be”—transformational change and strategic planning.
- The other focused on the “as-is”—the continuous optimisation of information assets.
Moreover, the EA bike has more than one rider. It is not a unicycle, nor is it a traditional bicycle—it is a tandem. However, the EA bicycle does not rely solely on the chief architect as its single rider. Instead, it is a tandem with multiple riders, each representing key stakeholders necessary to drive EA adoption across the organisation. One rider might be the Security Officer, another the CIO or CEO, with others depending on the organisation’s unique needs. The longer the tandem, the broader the reach of EA.
This tandem approach aligns with the modern view of EA as a discipline where success is achieved by working closely with key stakeholders to guide the organisation’s direction. Failure to apply an EA tandem bike is paved to lead to some of the common traps for architecture management.
The EA bicycle thus becomes a hub of connectedness, where metadata serves as a knowledge base to align the organisation.
To achieve the simultaneous focus on both the “as-is” and the “to-be,” the riders must align and agree on the direction. This analogy clearly illustrates that EA as a management discipline is not a unicycle but a tandem with two wheels and multiple riders working together to steer the organisation forward.
By integrating EA disciplines into everyday business operations while also aiming for a better future, organisations can make EA work effectively. It is not a question of focusing on one or the other—it must be both.
From Ivory Tower to Connectedness
Traditionally, EA has often been misunderstood as an isolated, ivory-tower discipline—architects metaphorically riding unicycles, designing systems and frameworks detached from the rest of the business, or painting the visuals of a future but disconnected from the present IT landscape. This siloed approach frequently results in disconnected strategies, under-utilised assets, and delayed digital transformations, see blog of common traps.
However, EA is not about creating isolated models or abstract theories. It is about establishing real connections across the entire enterprise. When executed effectively, EA:
- Aligns strategy with execution.
- Reduces complexity by improving compliance, standardisation, and efficiency, ensuring stability in day-to-day operations.
- Fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone contributes to refining the metadata that underpins enterprise decision-making.
Think of EA as the hub of a tandem bicycle—a central component that connects the wheels of change and the riders of the bike. It links departments, systems, technologies, and processes, enabling the organisation to move forward as a unified force. This level of connectedness is only achievable when EA is fully integrated into the organisation’s fabric, made accessible to all, and supported by tools that promote collaboration, and bridges the gap between the two wheels of current and target situations.
EA is also a practice of communication and culture, to support the culture of motivating people to share and provide continuous updates to refining the metadata that underpins enterprise decision-making.
While modelling in various details remains an essential aspect of EA, it’s not the end goal. The true power of EA lies in its ability to bring people together, working as a team towards a common vision, while keeping it up to date.
Democratising – The Key to Success
Democratising EA means breaking down silos and empowering employees across the organisation to actively participate in the EA processes to keep the knowledge base up to date. This is where innovative tools like Next-Insight come into play. With its intuitive, collaborative design, Next-Insight enables everyone to:
- Contribute Insights: Employees can flag unused applications, identify process gaps, or suggest improvements. This crowd-sourced input helps EA stay grounded in real-world needs, driving both cost savings and relevance.
- Align with Governance: Teams can easily check whether approved systems are available, ensuring alignment with EA principles and organisational priorities.
- Collaborate Effectively: With shared dashboards and visualisations, even non-technical users can actively engage with and contribute to EA, strengthening governance and fostering a collaborative culture.
Imagine this scenario: A marketing team identifies an outdated application and suggests a replacement. Using Next-Insight, they quickly check if a suitable alternative exists, report their findings, and architects will validate if their proposal aligns with EA principles. This process doesn’t just save time and money; it embeds EA as a core responsibility across the organisation.
Practical Steps for Establishment
Shifting from disconnected silos to a continent of collaboration requires a strategic approach. Here’s how we recommend getting started:
Create a Shared Vision: A shared vision serves as the foundation for EA, setting the roadmap for development. Everyone should understand where the organisation is heading and how EA supports that vision. Clearly define the stakeholders and their respective responsibilities.
Establish a Roadmap: Just as an orchestra requires a shared sheet of music, your organisation needs a clearly defined roadmap to outline when key outcomes from EA can be expected. Ensure the roadmap is tied to important business outcomes. This consistency is vital for fostering effective collaboration with stakeholders.
Invest in EA: Tools like Next-Insight are a safe choice, but be sure to test and pilot the right collaborative platform. Select a solution that is user-friendly, visually appealing, and capable of representing your knowledge base effectively on the web.
Focus on Business Outcomes: Start by defining the charter and the end goals. Ensure that the entire team and key stakeholders are aligned and supportive. Use a modern web tool that facilitates business architecture and EA to accelerate progress. Move forward with small, iterative steps that guide more end-users, allowing room for experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement.
A Continent of Collaboration
Breaking down silos and democratising EA is no small task—it requires a shift in mindset, the right tools, and a genuine commitment to collaboration. However, the rewards are well worth the effort.
When EA becomes a shared responsibility, it evolves from a siloed function into a powerful driver of continuous updates to everyday documentation. This not only supports compliance but also ensures the level of detail needed to facilitate successful digital transformation. A truly connected enterprise can:
- Achieve Strategic Outcomes: With everyone aligned, the organisation can move as one cohesive unit towards its goals.
- Foster Continuous Improvement: By welcoming contributions from all levels, EA becomes a dynamic process of constant refinement and optimisation.
- Drive Innovation and Growth: A connected enterprise is far better positioned to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
So, you may ask yourself: Is your organisation a collection of isolated islands, or a connected continent?
We can help you assess where you are on the continuum from siloed organisation towards the digital enterprise.
Need Help to Get Started?
If you’re ready to take the first step toward democratising your EA practice or need advice on building the right team with the proper skills, we’re here to help. Together, we can shape a connected enterprise that drives lasting success. Book an introduction here.
If looking for a brand new tandem or tool of EA, take a look at our offerings, where Next-Insight may be the safe choice for you. Looking for advice to select EA Tooling, read the blog post.
