Building a resilient, forward-looking architecture: enterprise architecture mistakes to avoid

Over the past decade or two, organizations have had to reshape their enterprise architecture in line with rapidly growing technology to fit into the emerging digital economy. Enterprise architecture, however, took on a new urgency following the large-scale disruptions of socio-economic activities by COVID-19.

Suddenly, the business blueprint looks unwieldy and archaic, and businesses have to shred them and redesign new ones that will help organize and standardize their IT infrastructure to make them more responsive to today’s business needs while still relevant for the future.

The enterprise architecture is the pillar upon which a business rests. Thus, a faulty EA is a one-way ticket to the graveyard for the company. Building a sound EA should be pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, a few minor errors could damage an EA. Below are a few to avoid.

Poorly defined business goals: Are your business goals clearly defined? Who is/are your key stakeholders? How do you plan on engaging them? These and other vital questions must be thoroughly addressed before a blueprint is drawn; otherwise, it may be game over for the business.

Poor or faulty information: Reliable data is needed to build an EA that will enable the business to be highly efficient, competitive, and more responsive. Information that will project the current and future needs of the organization, as well as the direction of change, is essential.

Poor communication/engagement within the business: People within the company must be fully involved; after all, they will help bring the EA to life. The EA team must engage across the board and be ready to answer questions such as why the new EA? What the benefits are, particularly to the employee, what the methodology is, etc.

Data-driven enterprise architecture that helps business leaders make quick decisions will undoubtedly help drive business growth and sustainability.