How do you use architecture artifacts to plan and execute strategically?

1 Benefits of architecture artifacts

Architecture artifacts can help you plan and execute strategically by providing clarity, consistency, and alignment for your business. These artifacts can define and communicate your business vision, goals, and value proposition, as well as identify and prioritize your capabilities and outcomes. Moreover, they can be used to analyze and improve your processes and value streams, design and optimize your business model and operating model, assess and manage risks and opportunities, and align and govern initiatives and projects.

2 Types of architecture artifacts

There are various architecture artifacts that can be used to plan and execute strategies based on specific needs and objectives. A business vision statement, for instance, is a succinct and persuasive statement that outlines the purpose, values, and ambitions of a business. Additionally, a business strategy map is a visual representation of objectives, measures, and initiatives that are connected to the vision and value proposition. Moreover, a business capability map is a hierarchical model of functions, skills, and resources organized by value domains. Furthermore, a business process model is a diagram that illustrates activities, inputs, outputs, and decisions that provide value to customers. Additionally, a business value stream map is a diagram that demonstrates the value creation and delivery process from the customer's point of view while also highlighting value-added and non-value-added steps. Moreover, there is also the business model canvas which is used to describe the value proposition, customer segments, channels, relationships, revenue streams, cost structure, key resources, activities, and partnerships. Lastly, there is the business operating model which serves as a framework for defining how a business organizes itself to deliver value across different dimensions such as governance structure processes people culture and technology.

3 How to use architecture artifacts

To effectively plan and execute strategically, you should use architecture artifacts while following best practices. Begin by basing your artifacts on your business vision and strategy. You must also choose the right level of detail and abstraction for your audience and purpose, as well as use a consistent notation and language. Additionally, validate and verify your artifacts with stakeholders, and solicit their feedback. Furthermore, maintain and update your architecture artifacts regularly to keep them aligned with business changes and needs. Finally, use the artifacts as the basis for decision making, planning, and execution while linking them to business performance indicators and metrics.

4 Examples of architecture artifacts

Illustrating how you can use architecture artifacts to plan and execute strategically, here are some examples of how different organizations have used them. For instance, a healthcare provider utilized a business capability map to differentiate themselves from their competitors, and prioritize their investments and improvements. Additionally, a retail company used a business process model to analyze and optimize their order fulfillment process, as well as identify gaps and inefficiencies that impact customer satisfaction and profitability. Furthermore, a nonprofit organization employed a business value stream map to comprehend and improve their donor journey, with the goal of increasing donor retention and loyalty. A software company also used a business model canvas to design and test a new product offering, validating their assumptions and hypotheses with potential customers. Lastly, a manufacturing company relied on a business operating model to define and align global operations, streamlining governance and coordination mechanisms.

5 Resources for architecture artifacts

If you want to learn more about architecture artifacts and how to use them to plan and execute strategically, there are several resources available. The Business Architecture Guild is a professional association that provides standards, best practices, and certification for business architecture. The Business Model Generation is a book and website that introduces the business model canvas and other tools for business model innovation. The Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is a standard notation and language for modeling and documenting business processes. Additionally, the Value Stream Mapping book and website explain the value stream mapping technique and its applications for lean management. Finally, the Operating Model Canvas book and website present the operating model canvas and other tools for operating model design.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?